Mathias Hoevet (1846-1917)
Surprised by Their Children
Friday, July 16, was the 62nd birthday of Mrs. Matt. Hoevet, and Sunday, July 18, the children planned a big surprise on their parents. Sunday morning about 9:30 their son, Ed., took them out to Mr. and Mrs. Carl Hamman's making them believe they were to spend the day there, but Mr. and Mrs. Hamman knew all about the surprise. While they were gone their children gathered at their home with well filled baskets, and starting at once they loaded the tables with eatables in an appetizing way. At 11:30 Will Langhorst went out to get them, saying they had come to spend the day and found no one at home. They certainly were surprised when they came in and found their children home, and best of all the bounteous dinner awaiting them, but they soon joined in with all in making the occasion a joyful one.The day was spent playing games and plenty of music and singing. At 6 o'clock ice cream, cake and fruit were served.
Those present were: Mr. and Mrs. Will Langhorst and family, Mr. and Mrs. Charles H. Rudolph and family, Mr. and Mrs. Matt. Hoevet, Jr. and son, Garrison, Mr. and Mrs. Milford Childers and family, Mr. and Mrs. Geo. J. Hoevet and daughter, Pearl, Mr. and Mrs. Carl Hamman, Mr. and Mrs. Otto Hoevet and family, Mr. and Mrs. Ed P. Hoevet and son, Lemar, Mr. and Mrs. Matt Hoevet, Sr.
At a late hour all departed for their homes, saying, they had had an enjoyable time and for once put a surprise over on the old folks in proper style, and wishing Mrs. Hoevet many more happy birthdays. A Guest.
The following article was found on page 1, column 4 of the June 7, 1917, Lowell Tribune:
Mathias Hoevet Called
Mathias Hoevet, who has been in very poor health for some time, died at his home on Main street Tuesday morning. His funeral will be held at the home today (Thursday) at 2 p.m. The Modern Woodmen, of which he was a member, will attend in a bodyThe following unidentified newspaper article was found in a scrapbook owned by Harriet Hoevet Bennett:
- Mathias Hoevet was born in Mines, Germany, September 2, 1846, and departed this life at his home in Lowell, Ind., June 5, 1917, at the age of 70 years, 9 months, and 3 days. At the age of 10 years he came with his parents to America and through the naturalization of his father he became an American citizen. For six years he lived at Door Prairie, LaPorte county, Ind., and from there he moved to Yellowhead township, Kankakee county, Ill., where he farmed until 1905, when he retired and moved to Lowell.
On March 9, 1869, he was untied in marriage to Miss Mary Joho, to which union were born 12 children.
The deceased was a man who made friends with all whom he came in contact. He was of a very jovial disposition and enjoyed life to the fullest extent.
Mr. Hoevet was a member of the Modern Woodmen, having joined the camp at Grant Park and when he moved to Lowell transferred his membership to the Lowell camp.
Funeral services were held at the home Thursday afternoon at two o'clock and there was a large attendance of his old friends and neighbors, many coming from his old home in Yellowhead Township to pay their last respects to their departed neighbor and friend. Rev. V.B. Servies, pastor of the Methodist church, preached the funeral sermon. Interment was made in the Lowell cemetery. Undertaker Weaver had charge of the burial service. The members of the Modern Woodmen attended the funeral services in a body and performed their ritualistic ceremony at the grave of their departed neighbor. The following Woodmen acted as pall bearers: H.L. Baughman, C.H. Belshaw, Frank Strickland, Sr., William Graves, B.F. Carlin, and Frank Richards.
He leaves to mourn his death his aged wife, ten children, George, Ed P., Mathias H., and Mrs. Milford Childress*, of Lowell; E.L. and Mrs. C.J. Wild, of Tenstrike, Minn.; Albert M., of Monterey, Minn., H.H. of Fort Dodge, Iowa, and Otto and Mrs. Will Langhorst, of Grant Park, Ill. Twenty eight grand children also survive him. The bereaved family have the sympathy of their friends in their hour of sorrow.
Other sources, including her obituary, list the last name of Mrs. Milford (nee Hoevet) as "Childers" rather than "Childress."
Go to Mat Hoevet, "Pioneer History Index," for further information.
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