IA--Keokuk Daily Gate....07 Jun 1911
MATHIAS BETTS: Keokuk; As the direct result of a paralytic stroke which he suffered 2wks ago last Saturday, Mathias Betts, well-known veterinary surgeon died at home Tuesday [6-6] after having been confined to his bed since stricken. DrBetts had been a resident of Keo-kuk for the past 18yrs & naturally had a large number of friends here who are exceedingly sorry to learn of his demise. He was born 16 Aug 1837 in Meadville PA & in his early man-hood moved to DesMoines-in the year 1855. Later he made his residence at Maryville MO for 2yrs & it was while there that his marriage to his 2nd wife who survives him, Mary Howes, occurred in 1874. The 1st wife Miss Margaret Brown, to whom the decedent was married in 1858, passed away several years after their union. When the call for volunteers came in 1861 MrBetts united with the 23rd IA Infantry, which company came to Keokuk 2 weeks later & then started south to enter engagements in that part of the country. Betts was wounded in one of his limbs during a battle & in 1864 was honorably discharged from union service at IronMountain MO. DrBetts was a member of Belknap Post GAR in this city & was one of the honored & highly respected of the fast dwind-ling numbers of veterans. For more than 25 years he has been a veterinary surgeon & was one of the careful & successful practitioners of the locality. Although a member of no church, he was an honest, liberty-loving & righteous man who was respected wherever he had made his home.
Aside from the wife, 1 son: Benjamin born to the union with the 1st wife survives. An adop-ted son Charles Betts, who has been with Mr-Mrs Betts for the past 25yrs also makes this city his home, residing at the family residence on HighSt. Bros & sis of the late Dr Betts who survive are: Eli-Keokuk; Taylor-Pueblo CO; Scott-NorthBend NE; Katherine Mack-Andover OH & Della Inman-Maryville MO.
Services will be held Friday [6-9] from the late residence. {Interment in Keokuk Natn'l Cem}