Obituary of  Nellie (Welsh) Mathews
 

     Nellie Welsh Mathews, daughter of Robert A. and Susan Collier Welsh was born November 22, 1873 at the family homestead in Little Grant Township, Grant Co. WI.

     Her childhood and young girlhood were spent on the farm.  Many are the stories she has related of a happy childhood with her fun loving brothers and sisters.  Some of the happiest memories were of the family preparing their father's fine cattle for exhibition.  Days before the great occasion, the cattle were scrubbed and brushed to a shining sleekness, each child having a share in the fun.

     After her father's death in 1886 the family moved to Lancaster where she attended school and grew to womanhood.  On January 2, 1895 she was united in marriage to George Mathews of Mt. Ida.  They began their home making on the Charles Graham Farm of North Lancaster.  Later they purchased a farm near Mt. Hope where they resided for thirty-nine years until the death of her husband June 1, 1945.

     Her home and community were their world.  Her life was one filled with the labors of kindness and love.  The hospitality of her home was unbounded.  The fine art of home making was always a pleasure to be shared with family and friends.

     She was a great lover of flowers and all beauty in nature.  As long as she was able her home grounds were made beautiful with plants and shrubs which she shared generously with others.
     Jan. 2, 1945 she and her husband celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with open house to friends and relatives.

     Because of failing health she gave up her home in October and went to live with her daughter, Mrs. Lester Graves of Platteville.  Although ill, she planned her Christmas giving this year as of other years and spent many happy moments writing her Christmas notes and letters. Her courage will be a shining example to her friends and family for years to come.

     Death came Jan. 7, 1947 at Finley Hospital Dubuque, Iowa at the age of 73 years, 1 month and 16 days.  She was the last remaining member of her family, five sisters and four brothers having preceded her in death.

     She is survived by two children, Elwin of Mt. Hope, Edna, Mrs. Lester Graves of Platteville; five grandchildren and many other relatives and friends.

     Funeral services were held at 2:00 Sat. Jan. 11, 1947 at the Mt. Hope Methodist Church, Reeve. JA Vincent officiating.  She was buried at the Prairie Cemetery Fennimore, WI.