Life of Elizabeth Matilda Rowe Mathie
born June 15, 1865
West Weber, Utah
Rowe Family Histories
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Matilda Rowe Mathie |
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Elizabeth Matilda Rowe Mathie was born June 15, 1865 in West Weber, Utah, She is the daughter of William Rowe and Elizabeth Murdock
Parawan, Utah
The
family had moved from Parwan Utah the year previous, where her three
brothers and sisters were born. Her early life was spent in helping her
parents taking, over housework while her mother wove carpet. The family
moved to Parawan, Utah while she was quite young, where her father purchased
a small acreage. It included 5 acres of sugar cane [beets?]
She attend school when possible but because they had to pay for this
advantage and their means were limited, she was unable to attend regularly.
When most young girls were having a good time she would spend her spare time
reading every good book she could get a hold of. She choose books as she
would her friends.
She went to work to help support the family. She would wash on a board all
day in order to obtain a dress pattern. She was proud of her inheritance.
Her parents had instilled in her a love of the gospel, which she treasured
above all else. She always followed the advice of those in authority. The
church advised against round dancing, When the bishop ask the young people
to refrain, she gave her promise that she would abide by their advise.
Homestead in Star Valley,
Wyoming
Her father in order to make use of his homestead for him and his boy moved
to Star Valley, Wyoming. Mother decide to go with her sister and husband,
who were moving to Rexburg. It was while here, that a epidemic of diphtheria
broke out. She went into the different homes to help relieve the sick and
take care of the dead. She was spared from the dreaded disease. She relied
on the power of prayer. She knew if she kept the commandments of God she and
her family would be blessed.
Married James Baird Mathie
She joined her family in Star Valley, where she met James Mathie. They were
married September 25, 1895 in Logan Temple. It took them one week to drive
to the Temple with a team and wagon. She and her husband lived near his
parents to help take care of them in their declining years.
In 1896, their first daughter Ethel was born. She was born in a granary.
Their house had not been completed yet. Then the new house was completed, it
consisted of one room. She lay straw under the rag rugs. Every fall she
would but new straw under them. She helped with the milking and taking care
of the family, while her husband hauled milk to Afton Wyo.
In December 22, 1897 a son Vern William was born. In December 18 1899 a second son, Ray Samuel, was born. Verda Elizabeth was born on June 25, 1902. She lived 3 months. She died during the night in her mothers arms. Shortly after Verda’s death, a younger sister Senora passed away from confinement leaving five children. Mother took the baby and raised it until he was a year old. The child was very frail from birth and was never able to cry to be heard any distance. He passed away at one year of age.
Father was called on a mission to the Southern States, during his absence, mother and her brother Ole made a trip to Rexburg to visit a sister and to get winter flour. When they arrived, she found her sister sick with a large family to care for, her husband having passed away . She and her brother returned home and made arrangement to return and help care for the family. In the Fall she returned to her home with her family by team and wagon.
In January, 1906 a son Ferd was born. During the winter, the typhoid
epidemic struck and three of her children and four of her sisters children
came down with the disease. Ben E. Rich was visiting his son Dr. Loran F.
Rich and accompanied his son to the home. Seeing the condition of the family
returned to the mission of which he was president and gave father a release
stating that he was needed more at home. As soon as her sister was able to
care for her family, she and her family returned to Star Valley. They sold
their home and returned to Rexburg where they purchased a home which was in
the Rexburg 1st ward. In May, 1908 a son Claude was born live living only a
few minutes. In July 31, 1 909 a son Ivan was born.
The family spent one summer on construction at Hebdon Lake. It was while
making this trip that a son Ferd was hurt near Island Park. It was necessary
to bring him back to Rexburg to the hospital. Her husband and children
finished the trip and as soon as possible she join them on their return.
In the fall, they moved to Sugar City where her husband found employment.
Returning to Rexburg, she was anxious to give her children all the
advantages possible and went without that her family might have the things
they needed. She was a devoted mother . Her children problems were her
problems.
She learned to love her sisters children as her own and they in turn loved
and respected her. She was aunt Till to all of them. She was always willing
to help where help was needed. She was never known to use slang in any way,
She observed the word of wisdom and was a full tithe payer.
In December, 1912 a daughter Edith was born. Shortly after her health began
to fail. She had been quite concerned about a sister Senora, who had died
and her temple work had not been done. As soon as she was able, she
accompanied her daughter Ethel, to Salt Lake where she did the work and also
went through for her health. Her son Vern and his bride also accompanied her
where they were married in the Salt Lake Temple.
As her family grew and married, she began devoting her time to help them.
Whenever one of them was sick, she seemed to sense that something was wrong.
In 1917 a son Ray was called into the service (World War I).
She had a love of beautiful handwork, of which she excelled. She usually
gave some of her work to some member of her, family. Her hands were never
idle. She did a lot of reading and. studying, of the gospel. She knew the
Book of Mormon from cover to cover and was able to explain it to others.
She spent her later years at the home of her children. Most of the summer
she stayed with her daughter Ethel, while Edith was in training at the L.D.
S. Hospital, She spent the winters with her son, Vern. She was very proud of
her grandchildren.
She always wanted to live long enough to see one of her sons on a mission.
Her dream was realized, when her son Ivan was called into the mission field.
He was called to labor in the Western States mission. Mother was active in
genealogy and was anxious to gather her family record that their temple work
might be done. She looked forward to the dedication of the Idaho Falls
temple, but her health failed and she was not able to accomplish much.
Mother was always conservative, She always remembered the saying "Waste not
Want not" Money meant very little to her. She believed strongly in the
scripture:
“Lay no up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth
corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal; But lay up for
yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt,
and where thieves do not break through and steal.”
Her husband James died June 26, 1940 at Ogden. She suffered a great deal in
her last years, but she never complained She died as she had lived, true to
the gospel of Jesus Christ, She called her family around and gave them
council and advise. She passed away on October 1946. She was buried in North
Ogden. She was survived by 2 daughters, 4 sons 30 grandchildren and 3 great
grandchildren.
Family History Outline