Person:Mattie Priest (1)

Obituary read as follows: "Miss Matie C. Priest died at Walthill, Nebraska, last Monday, July 24th, 1911. She was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. D. Priest, and was born at Pleasant Hill farm near Anamosa. She was at death 39 years, 3 months, and 6 days of age. She was strickin with typhoid fever on June 23rd. Despite the effort of the most skilled attendants she gradually weakened and the end finally came.

 "Miss Priest attended the Monticello high school in girlhood, and later entered a business college at Omaha.  Early in life she united with the Methodist Episcopal church and continued a member until her demise.  Her first great sorrow came with the death of  her mother in April 1891.  The death of her father in April 1897 broke up the home, and she visited among her brothers and sisters.
 "We quote as follows from the obituary prepared by Rev. F. P. Shaffer:  'In the spring of 1884 she went to Lyons, Nebraska, and stayed with her brother, who was pastor of the Methodist church in that place.  While residing there she visited the old Mission on the Indian Reservation, near which, in After years she was to make her home.  For a number of years she was an inmate in her brother's home on the several pastoral charges, namely, Omaha, Central City, Albion and Randolph.  While residing at Randolph she became assistant to the postmaster at that place, sering in this position for nearly five years.  After resigning and while visiting in her brother's home, a call came urging her to accept a similar position in the post office at Walthill, Nebraska.  She accepted the offer, and served for two years.  Last January Mr. C. H. Taylor the master resigned, a petition with the names of the leading business men of this town was placed in her hands; soon more than 600 had signed the petition asking for her appointment from President Taft.
 "Her noble Christian character and kindly heart gained her many friends wherever she lived.  In church life she was active and earnestly strove to do her part in building up Christ's kingdom.  Her pastor said of her, 'Whenever Miss Priest was absent from the services, I knew that she was sick or of town.'
 "In her going she leaves one sister, Mrs. J. R. Hayes of Anamosa, three brothers, Rev. James B. Priest of Lincoln, Nebraska, George W. Priest of Dodge Center, Indiana, and Martin D. Priest, her twin brother of Fresno, California, a large circle of friends and relatives also regret her loss."
 She was buried in Riverside cemetery.