Samuel Mather

He also served Euclid Lodge as Senior Warden in 1901, as Junior Warden in 1883, as Secretary in 1890, 1891, and 1892, as Junior Deacon in 1889, as Senior Steward in 1893, 1894, 1895, and 1898, and as Junior Steward in 1903, 1906, and 1907.

Mather, Samuel. The question of supply and demand has been further complicated during recent years by the requirements of pure food laws, which necessitate the production of articles of consumption according to rules provided for in various acts passed. Some of the most aggressive business men of DuPage County have found it to their advantage to embark in enterprises having for their object the manufacture of wholesome food products, which because of their purity command good prices in any market. One of these men is Samuel Mather, Secretary and Treasurer of the Naperville Co-operative Company, manufacturers of high grade butter and cheese.

He was born March 7, 1847, at Whallonsburgh, Essex County, N.Y., being a son of Joshua E. and Maria (Frisbee) Mather. Joshua E. Mather was a mechanic who at one time was engaged in manufacturing iron articles. He came to Illinois in 1852, becoming a farmer, and dying upon his property in 1880. His wife survived him until 1891. They were farming people all their lives.

From 1864 to 1865, Mr. Mather attended the Naperville Academy, then returning to the farm, conducted it until 1873. He then had some experience as a ranchman in California from 1873 to 1880. In 1883, he came to DuPage County from Will County, locating in Lisle Township. In 1888, with William King and J.P. Rickert, he organized the Naperville Co-operative Co., with himself as secretary and treasurer. The creamery had a capacity of from 2,700 to 30,000 pounds of milk per day, according to the supply. The business has steadily advanced, and the product is kept up to a high standard of excellence.

Mr. Mather was married November 21, 1866, at Lisle, Illinois, to Malvina Ballow. The children born of this marriage were: Glen E., deceased; Zillia A., deceased; Roy A., Fred E., Roscoe, deceased, and Ethel M. Roy and Fred were educated at Champain, Ill., the latter being with the St. Paul Railroad as civil engineer, while the former is with the American Bridge Co., at Ambridge, Penn. Zillia died when twenty-two years old, after graduating from the Northwestern College at Naperville. Ethel married Dean D. Gross, and her husband is a merchant of Yankton, S.D.; Daniel, their son, is ex-postmaster of this place.

Mr. Mather has always been active in Republican party matters, serving as Alderman from the Third Ward of Naperville during 1907, 1908, and 1909, and in 1910, he was elected Mayor. During his administration, the people enjoyed a businesslike administration, and a number of improvements were inaugurated and carried out. He is a Past Master of Euclid Lodge, No.65, A.F. & A.M., and Past High Priest of Euclid Chapter, No.13, R.A.M. While not affiliated with any religious denomination, he believes in the Fatherhood of God and the Brotherhood of man. Mr. Mather was Postmaster here for six years, filling a part of this time as assistant.

Samuel Mather was born in Whallonsburgh, N.Y., March 7, 1847. He came with his fathers family to Illinois at the age of five years. His father settled in East Wheatland, Will Co., at the present Mather homestead.

He was married to Malvina Ballou, of DuPage Co., Nov. 12, 1866. Three children survive him, Roy A. Mather, Pittsburgh, Pa.; Fred E. Mather, Naperville, and Mrs. Dean D. Gross, Yankton, S.D. He is also survived by eleven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Mr. Mather was an active farmer intil 1887, living in Santa Rosa, Cal., and vicinity seven years of that time. He then became the general manager, secretary and treasurer of the Naperville Co-operative Company and managed that business successfully for a good many years.

He was Postmaster of Naperville during two administrations; afterwards Mayor in 1910 and 1911. As a public spirited citizen he was interested in those engineering projects that have brought permanent and substantial improvements to this city.

Mr. Mather was a Mason and one of the early members of Euclid Lodge No. 65 and a Past Master of many years standing. He was prominent in building the present Masonic Temple on Jefferson Avenue.

Last September he decided to spend the winter with his daughter Mrs. Dean D. Gross of Yankton, S.D. with the intention of probably making that location his future home.

Declining in physical ability, but strong in the conviction of the immortality of man, and conscious to the end, he quietly passed on January 24, at the age of 85 years.