Parowan Times
2/24/1926

FUNERAL HELD FOR SARAH R. MATHESON

Very impressiver funeral services were held on Thursday afternoon of last week for Mrs. Sarah R. Matheson whose earthly toils terminated on Monday evening. The vast throng of people from neighboring communities and the profusion of beautiful floral offerings bore silent testimony to the esteem in which the departed was held, and the speakers were lavish in their praise of her life and character.

Appropriate numbers were rendered by the choir, the opening prayer was offered by John Stevens, and L.N. Marsden, Mrs. Maude Dalton and Wm. H. Lyman were the speakers. Will L. Adams read a couple of appropriate poems, Messrs. J.J. Adams, Rex C. Ward, L. Nelson Marsden and Blanch Whitney sang a quartet and Mr. and Mrs. Rex C. Ward, Mrs Ida Burton and Mr. Clair Rowley sang one. The closing prayer was offered by David Bulloch of Cedar City.

BIOGRAPHICAL

Sarah R. Matheson was born in Dundee, Scotland, April 20th 1858. She ws the daughter of James Robertson and Margaret Milne. Her father was the fireman and on of the survivors of the ship "Parforshire" from which nine members of the crew were rescued by Grace Darling in the memorable feat of feminine braver which occured in the year 1838 off the Northumberland coast.

Sister Matheson was baptized into the LDS church when sixteen years old under the most trying circumstances and against bitter opposition.

She was married to David Matheson January 7th, 1878, in Dundee, Scotland and in 1881 immigrated to Utah, locating at Parowan where she has since resided.

During the time Charles Adams was bishop she, with her husband, took care of the tithing office and yards for sixteen years.

During the administration of President Cleveland she was Post Mistress for five and one half years in Parowan, proving herself a very efficient and accomodating official.

In a church capacity she has served as stake and ward officer in the primary and was a relief teacher for many years. She was chairman of the knitting department of the local chapter of the Red Cross during the recent war, and accomplished a great deal in this capacity.

She is survived by her husband, five sons and five daughters, two boys and one girl having preceeded her to the Great Beyond. There is also a sister, Mrs. James Cummings, and forty grandchildren.

A devoted wife and mother she has ever been an influence for good in the community during the many years of her residence here, and her deat is a distinct loss.