Eleanor Junkin (1828-1910)

Rev. Joseph Mateer (1823-1883)

D6 Eleanor Junkin, born August 16, 1828 at Marinsville, Pennsylvania, died January 13, 1910; married (1) William Russell; married (2) Rev. Joseph Mateer, born April 1823 in County Down, Northern Ireland, died October 1, 1883.

MATEER.

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Entered into rest Thursday evening, January 13th, 1910, at ten minutes after eleven o'clock, Mrs. Eleanor Mateer, aged 81 years.

Elnor Junkin Mateer was born August 16th, 1828, at Marinsville, a town near Emlenton named for her mother. Her father was Judge Benjamin F. Junkin, well known in early Pennsylvania history; her mother was Anna Maria Agnew, of the distinguished Philadelphia family of that name. She was one of a family of nine children, only three of whom survive: Dr. J. G. Junkin and Mrs M. E. Poppins, of near Wilmington, and Mr. Bingham Junkin of Grove City.

Her early life way[sic] spent near or at Emlenton until her marriage to William Russell of Pittsburgh, which took place before she was 20. Three children were born to them: Mrs. W. E. Shaw, now deceased; Mrs. F. H. Newell of Curilsville; Mrs. J. C. Armstrong of Holdrege, Nebraska. They resided at Pittsburgh until Mr. Russell's death.

By her second marriage, she became closely identified with early Presbyterian history of this vicinity. She was married to Rev. Joseph Mateer, of Belfast, Ireland, one of the most scholarly ministers ever in this section, educated at a Belfast University, Princeton and the Western Theological Seminary. To this union were born five children, who survive to mourn their great loss: Jennie Junkin wife of Rev. O. G. McDowell, of Philadelphia; Westanna L., Mell J. and Robert F., all of New Bethlehem. Dr. and Mrs. Mateer moved to New Bethlehem in 1881, and became official heads of this Presbyterian church, Mrs. Mateer being the first minister's wife of this church. After Dr. Mateer's death in 1883, Mrs. Mateer continued to make this place her home.

The funeral services were held at her late home, Monday afternoon at 2 o'clock Rev. U. D. Reiter of the New Bethlehem Presbyterian church, assisted by Rev. John L. Proudfit of the Connellsville First Presbyterian church, conducted the services. The Rev. Reiter spoke from a portion of Gen. 48, especially emphasizing the 21st verse: "Behold, I die: but God shall be with you and bring you again unto the land of your father,"--the theme being a parent's legacy to his children

The Rev. Proudfit then spoke, and his summary of Mrs Mateer's character was so complete and truthful, we shall quote largely from it. On this occasion, owing to a particularly close friendship of eleven years with Mrs. Mateer, for the first time broke his rule as to speaking of the dead, and paid a most touching, eloquent tribute to his dead friend. He prefaced his remarks by saying he felt he would rather be sitting with those who mourned than speaking of her who was gone. He characterized her as one who loved and served God, giving Him the supreme place in her life; as one who loved God's house and ordinances; as one who loved His work and sought to the very end of life to exalt Him in heathen lands, as well as in her own land. A woman of great, natural endowment as to mind and will, she consecrated both to Christ's cause. She was a woman who fulfilled the private and public ideals of a minister's wife, where some sane advisor and true friend or as a officer of splendid executive ability and great tact at large conventions. She was one of the organizers of the Presbyterial Missionary Society, for many years its treasurer, and a life-member of its Executive Board. For many years she was, also, president of the local Missionary society. She never lost her vivid interest in Christian work, particularly Missions. She never seemed old because each generation found in her an interested friend. Rev. Proudfit concluded by paying a very rare personal tribute, when, as her pastor, he found her a wise counselor, a sympathetic friend and a helpful listener.

At the close of the services, private interment was made in the New Bethlehem cemetery, where she was laid to rest beside her husband.

The friends from a distance were: Mrs. Bingham Junkin of Grove City; Miss Annie Poppino of New Wilmington; Mr. and Mrs. F. H. Newell of Curllsville; Rev. O. G. McDowell of Philadelphia; Rev. J. L. Proudfit of Connellsville.

[clipping in 1911 diary of Jane Crosgrove Mateer; Eleanor was her sister-in-law.]

Children of Eleanor Junkin and William Russell:

E1 [daughter] Russell, married W. E. Shaw .

E2 [daughter] Russell, married F. H. Newell.

E3 [daughter] Russell, married J. C. Armstrong.

Children of Eleanor Junkin and Rev. Joseph Mateer:

E4 Jennie Junkin. wife of Rev. O. G. McDowell, of Philadelphia.

E5 Melvin Joseph Mateer, born 1859, died 1911.

E6 Frances E Mateer, born 1864, died 1958.

E7 Westanna L Mateer, born 1867, died 1963; married _____ Selden.

E8 Robert Francis Mateer, born 1871, died 1951.