Yuma County, Colorado
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Yuma County Pioneers

Lewis F. and Nellie Mable (Symonds) Matson, Wauneta



Lewis Franklin Matson was born April 8, 1873 in Warren County, Iowa to Enoch Matson and Martha Fry.

In 1880 Polk County, Enoch 53 and Martha 51 have James I. 26, Phebe 24, Hannah 22, Mahala 20, Joseph L. 18, Alzira 16, Sarah E. 14, Lucy J. 10, and Lewis 7.

In 1885 Red Willow County, Nebraska, "Enos Madson" is [36], born in Ohio, with Martha [36] Virginia, James 37 Ohio, Pheobe 26 Ohio, Mahala 25 Iowa, Sarah L. 19 Iowa, Lucy 14 Iowa, and Lewis 12 Iowa.

Robert Symonds served in C, 8th Illinois Cavalry.

Robert married Eva "Whight" in Whiteside County, Illinois November 30, 1871.

Robert Symonds and Eveline P. White had William Roy Symonds in Whiteside County, Illinois on July 16, 1877.

In 1885 Custer County, Nebraska, R. Symonds is farming, 49, born in England, Eva 47 in Pennsylvania, with "Millie" 11 Kansas, and William 7 in Illinois.
Robert 63 and Evaline P. 61 are in Red Willow County in 1900, with William R. 22.

April 12, 1901 McCook Nebraska "Robert Symonds and family left Monday, by the way of Indianola, for their new home near Portland, Oregon, whhere they expect to engage in the farming business."
Robert Symonds 1837-1907 is buried in Decatur County, Kansas # 60564071.

William R. Symonds married Fay Martin April 29, 1903 in Oberlin, Kansasa.

In 1910 Skagit County, Washington, Evaline is 71, widowed. She's had four children, two living. She's living with William R. 32 married seven years to Faye L. 26, both born in Illinois. Guy M. 5 and Wilma F. 2 wee born in Kansas.

In 1915 Decatur County, Kansas, Evalin is 75, living with William and Faye and their two kids.
William 1877-1955 # 76532111 and Faye (Martin) Symonds are buried in Neosho Falls, Kansas.
1943 Decatur County " Guy Symonds of Topeka enroute to California where he has employment in a munitions plant;"

1895 McCook, Nebraska "Robert Simonds lost one of his horses."
"William Symonds is on his way to Colorado to find work. Joseph French and family will start April 15."

This William is too young to be the William H. Symonds who cash-claimed a quarter in 29, 4N 48W in 1891.

That William Symonds might be the one in 1880 Yates County, New York, William and Elizabeth both 44, Willie H. 16, Benjamin J. 14, Emily A. 11, and Olive 2.
1885 Hastings, Nebraska, 40, a clerk, with Susan 45, both born in England. Wm. 20, Emely 16, and Gertie 8 were all born in New York.

In Prosser, Adams County, Nebraska "The first store was started by Mr. Ware, and James Bacon later purchased the interest of Mr. Ware, who went to Illinois. The business was successively operated by Charles McCulloch and John Stoner. Mr. Stoner managed the business for Trimble, Blackman & Alexander, of Hastings, until the grocery was discontinued, when B. J. Symonds moved into the store and there conducted his drug business.
John B. Symonds timber-claimed a quarter in Lincoln County, Nebraska in 1900.

In 1920 San Juan County, New Mexico, William is 83, widowed, immigrating 1858, naturalized 1871. He's living alone.
In 1930 San Benito, Texas, he's living with J. B. Symonds, son 64, widowed, a druggist.William, born July 3, 1836 in England to William Symonds, dying in San Benito, Texas May 15, 1930, to be buried in Pueblo.
John Benjamin Symonds' wife Carrie is in San Antonio in 1930, 60, married, and daughter Esther S. Lewis 30 is with her.
In 1940 San Antonio, "Carry" is 70, living with Esther Jenkins 40 and her husband Henry H. Jenkins 41, with their son Robert L. 4.
He's buried in Roselawn Cemetery # 140415704, with Elizabeth (Charles) Symonds 1835- buried April 18, 1892 # 140415677.

John Benjamin Symonds, born January 11, 1866 in Halls Corners, New York to William Symonds of Yorkshire and Elizabeth Charles of Hefordshire, died Feb 11, 1937 in Hidalgo County, Texas,

January 1891 Holyoke Colorado "J.B. Symonds of Elsie, Nebraska was shaking hands with friends in Holyoke Monday while the east bound train stopped for dinner. "
J.B. Symonds was a druggist in 1892 Elsie, Perkins County, Nebraska.

William B. Simonds cash-claimed a quarter in Perkins County, Nebraska in 1890.

Carrie Symonds, born October 5, 1869 in Kansas, to Joseph Shumate and Alida Osborne, died in San Antonio December 13, 1953, to be buried in Mission Burial Park, San Antonio.
In 1900 Decatur County, Kansas, Lewis is farming, born April 1873 Iowa, Mable Feb 1874 Kansas, and Gracie March 1899 Nebraska.



Lewis is farming in 1910 Yuma County, 36 born in Iowa. Nellie W. is 35, Kansas. Gracie E. 11 in Nebraska, Sylvia 9 Kansas, Estealla M. 7 Nebraska, Clifford L. 6 Nebraska, Hazel F. 4 Nebaska, and Clyde B. 2 Nebraska.
They're next to Will Schelly.

In October 1910 Lewis "P." Matson was delinquent on $1.78 taxes for improvements on his claim.
January 1912 "Lou Matson of the sandhills was a business visitor in the county seat on last Saturday."


In 1912 Happy Valley School, District No. 20, with Elizabeth Carwin, teacher, reporteed 24 kids enrolled. Those neither absent nor tardy included Sylvia Matson, Hazel Matson, and Stella Matson.

August 1912 "Lew Matson's crop was considerably damaged by hail in the heavy rain Thursday night."

Lewis proved up two quarters in section 35, 4N 44W in 1913. Current U.S. Highway 385 runs through it.

March 1913 "Lew Matson and wife went down to McCook the first of the week where they will visit with relatives a few days."

1913 Wray "Lew Matson came in from several miles north of town the latter part of last week."

January 20, 1916 "License to marry was issued to W. J. Perkins and Miss Grace Matson Monday. Both parties are from north of Wray."

October 1916 "The deal was closed last week whereby Lew Matson who has resided sixteen miles northeast of Wray for several years, sold his farm to Will Schelly of that vicinity. We have not learned Mr. Matson's plans for the future."

Lewis registered for WWI in Hitchcock County, Nebraska, born April 8, 1873, a teamster, wtih wife Mabel Matson.

William Goodhue owned Lewis's claim in 1920.



Nellie is buried in Culbertson, Nebraska.

Mrs. Lewis F. Matson, a resident of southwestern Nebraska for half a century, passed away at her home in Culbertson early last Friday morning after an illness of about two years. She had been bedfast for four months.

Mrs. Matson, nee Nellie Mable Symonds, was born at Topeka, Kansas on February 28, 1874 and died at Culbertson, Nebraska on April 17, 1942 at the age of 68 years, one month, and seventeen days.

Nellie Symonds came to Red Willow county, Nebraska with her parents about 50 years ago and on December 4, 1895 she was married to Lewis F. Matson at Indianola, Nebraska. She and her husband made their first home in Hitchcock county and except for a year or two spent in Colorado they have since resided in this community. They have lived in the village of Culbertson the past 32 years.

For most of her life, Mrs. Matson was a member of the Methodist church but in the spring of 1939 she joined the Seventh Day Adventist church, which faith she held dear to the time of her death.

Mrs. Matson was the mother of eight children. One son, Walter, died in infancy. her two sons and five daughters still living are Mrs. Grace Pade of McCook, Nebraska; Mrs. Sylvia Brummett of Concordia, Kansas; Mrs. Stella Miller of Culbertson; Clifford Matson of Culbertson; Mrs. Hazel Snider of Los Angeles, California; Clyde Matson of Culbertson; and Mrs. Goldie Bradley of Culbertson.

Mrs. Matson is also survived by her husband, Lewis F. Matson, by one brother, Will Symonds of Oberlin, Kansas, and by 20 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

All of her sons and daughters except Mrs. Snider of California were here to attend the funeral last Sunday afternoon. One grandson, Lewis Siglinger of Denver also came. Services were conducted in the Methodist church by E.E. Jensen, district leader for the Seventh Day Adventist Church. Burial was in the Culbertson Cemetery.

Source: The Culbertson Progress, April 23, 1942
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Lewis is buried in Culbertson, Nebraska, # 148083482.

Lewis F. Matson, pioneer citizen of Hitchcock county and a resident of the village of Culbertson for 35 years, died in St. Catherine's hospital in McCook on Sunday, April 24, 1949. His health had failed rapidly since he suffered a stroke about a year ago, and he was in the hospital continuously for three months before his death.

Funeral services held Wednesday afternoon in the Herrmann Funeral Home in McCook were conducted by the Rev. Carroll H. Prouty, pastor of the McCook Memorial Methodist church. The body was brought to Culbertson for burial in the Culbertson cemetery beside his wife, who passed away on April 17, 1942.

Born on a farm near Waterloo, Iowa on April 8, 1873, Mr. Matson attained the age of 76 years and 16 days. He came with his parents to Hitchcock county in 1885, when they took up a homestead near Trenton, and except for two years of residence in Colorado, this county had ever since remained his home.

He was united in marriage with Miss Nellie Mable Symonds at Indianola, Nebraska on December 4, 1895. They were the parents of eight children. One son, Walter, died in infancy and one daughter, Mrs. Sylvia Brummett, passed away at Concordia, Kansas about two years ago. Farming had always been the vocation of Mr. Matson. During his residence in Culbertson, he operated an unimproved farm south of here and was active in its management until about a year ago.

The four daughters and two sons who survive him are: Mrs. Grace Pade of McCook; Mrs. Stella Miller of Culbertson; Clifford Matson of Culbertson; Mrs. Hazel Snider of Los Angeles, California; Clyde Matson of Concordia, Kansas; and Mrs. Goldie Bradley of Culbertson. There also are 20 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Source: Culbertson Progress, April 28, 1949"


GOLDIE
Goldie V. Bradley died Friday, November 2, 1990 at Hillcrest Nursing Home at the age of 80. She was born September 26, 1910 at Wray, Colorado to Lewis Franklin and Nellie Mable (Symonds) Matson.
She attended Culbertson Public Schools and was married April 13, 1931 to Harold J. Bradley in Oberlin. They lived in Culbertson until 1953, at which time they moved to McCook.
She was a member of the First Baptist Church.
Preceding her in death were her parents; her husband, Harold in 1978; two brothers, Clifford and Walter in infancy; three sisters, Grace Pade, Sylvia Brummett, and Stella Ross.
Survivors include three sons, Kenneth, Donald, and Jerry, all of McCook; one brother, Clyde Matson of Trenton; one sister, Hazel Snider of California; nine grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
Services will be Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. at the First Baptist Church in McCook with the Rev. James Denny officiating. Interment will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorials may be given in her name and left at the funeral home. Carpenter-Breland Funeral Home of McCook is in charge of arrangements.
Source: The McCook Daily Gazette, November 5, 1990


CLYDE

Clyde Bejamin Matson died Friday, November 14, 1997 on arrival at McCook Community Hospital in McCook, Nebraska at the age of 89. He was born March 16, 1908 in McCook, Nebraska the son of the late Lewis and Mabel(Symonds) Matson.
Clyde grew up in the town of Culbertson, Nebraska community where he graduated from rural school. He begun farming on the family farm and was married November 11, 1931 at Oberlin, Kansas to Irene Isaac. They farmed in the Culbertson and Concordia, Kansas communities before returning to Trenton, Nebraska where they purchased a farm in 1950. They retired from farming in 1980 and then moved to Trenton in 1984.
He was preceded in death by infant twin daughters, Angela L. and Alvira L. Matson on May 15, 1941. His parents and brothers; Clifford Matson, Walter Matson; sisters Grace Pade, Sylvia Brunnett, Stella Ross, Hazel Snider and Goldie Bradley are also deceased.
Clyde is survived by his wife, Irene Matson of Trenton, Nebraska; three daughters; Neioma Meguire and her husband, Alan of Watertown, South Dakota; Wyona Shackleford and her husband, Dean of Trenton, Nebraska; Gloria Bricker and her husband, Ron of Hayden, Colorado. Two sons; Joe Matson and his wife, Thelma of Trenton, Nebraska and Gaylord Matson and his wife, Marylin of Bennett, Colorado. Twenty grandchildren; David Meguire, Steve Meguire, Kevin Meguire, Barbara Sydow, Cindy Corder, Jerry Shackleford, Diane Riggs, Nancy Chitwood, Gary Matson, Chuck Matson, Kirt Matson, Angela Rufenacht, Scott Bricker, Craig Bricker, John Gray, Jeff Gray, Larry Gette and Gary Gette. Forty-one great grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren and relatives and friends.
Sevices, Trenton United Methodist Church, Trenton, Nebraska, Tuesday, November 18, 1997 at 10:30 a.m.


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July 4, 1913 "Mrs. Rachael Matson and daughter, Miss May, departed Sunday for their home at Geneva, Nebraska, after a pleasant visit with their daughter and sister, Mrs. F. L. Ewart."

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