CLODFELTER, Matthias
MATTHIAS CLODFELTER
Source: Saturday Evening Journal, November 19, 1881
Matthias Clodfelter, died at his home in New Ross on Wednesday night, November 9, of congestion. The deceased was born in Davidson county, North Carolina, December 2, 1817, of German parentage. At the age of 13 he removed with his parents to Putnam county, this state, wher e shortly after, his father died, leaving upon him the care of supporting the younger members of the family. In his twenty-first year he was married to Mary M. Sayles, with whom he lived in happy companionship until his death. For many years he was miller at the old Sutherlin mill. Some years after his marriage he removed to Ripley township, in Montgomery county, Indiana, and purchased a small tract of land in the woods, and erected a log cabin, where he subsequently carved a good farm and made a beautiful home. In 1872 he removed to the village of Alamo, and for some time engaged in the grocery business, after which he returned to his farm, from whence he moved to New Ross, where he lived until the time of his death. He was the father of six boys and seven girls. Three boys and all the girls lived to the age of maturity and received at his hand a liberal education. He was at an early date a warm friend to the common school system, and served four terms as trustee of his township. He was thirteen years Justice of the Peace, and rarely ever , were his decisions reversed by a higher court. He was a consistent member of the Universalist church and never wandered from his cherished faith. He lived by his faith and died by it. To him, his faith was not a mere assent to creed, but a practical power for a good and sweet voice within, commanding love, whispering peace and assuring hope. He leaves behind a bereaved companion and sorrowing household who deplore their loss and sacredly cherish his memory; and many friends and acquaintances who feel that from among them a good man is gone. In accordance with his desire, expressed while living, he was buried in Oak Hill Cemetery at Crawfordsville. - kbz