Sunday Gazetteer
Sunday, November 6, 1898
pg 4

JUDGE JOHN NEVINS DEAD

Judge John Nevins, one of the most prominent figures in the pioneer history of Denison, died Friday at his residence at the corner of Austin avenue and Gandy street.
About three years ago Judge Nevins was attacked with cancer, which appeared on the tongue, and from that period until death ended his suffering, it was a brave struggle to live. Judge Nevins visited Hot Springs, and he was first told there that his case was hopeless, but not until the past year has he ever abandoned the hope of ultimate recovery. Specialists
far and near were consulted, but the hoped for relief never came. It seldom ever does in case of cancer. For the past year Judge Nevins has almost dropped out of public sight. He was not able to articulate, and all of his wishes have been made known in writing. His immediate friends knew his condition, and were loath to tax him with their presence, but now that he is dead, genuine expressions of sorrow are heard on every hand. He was a courageous example of physical suffering while the cancer was eating his life away, and he was uncomplaining. He was always soothed and sustained by the unfaltering trust of a  loving and devoted wife, which has, no doubt, prolonged his life. The last few hours were merciful, for he suffered but little.
In the pioneer history of Denison, if it is ever written, Judge John Nevins will loom up a prominent factor, in fact, no one was better known in official and business circles than he.
Judge Nevins was an exceptional man, a remarkable man, he was the personification of what passes as "hard sense." Like the few pioneers that are left us, he drifted to Denison with the advent of the M. K. & T. railway. He first went to Sherman but almost immediately came to Denison. A man of his temperament could not long remain passive, so he went into political life, being elected in the early seventies as city treasurer, he was not, however, Mr. Tome states, the first city treasurer. He was one of the first persons to do business in Denison, starting out in a tent. He eventually became prominent in mercantile circles, conducting a successful dry goods business at the corner where J. H. Porter now is. In 1879 he burned out. In 1890 he was appointed census commissioner for North Texas. In 1892 he moved to Chicago and engaged in the business of manufacturing. At the close of the World's Fair he returned to Denison.
One of his best traits, the crowning excellence of his admirable character, was his devotion to friends. He believed with Shakespeare, "The friends thou hast and their adoption tried, grapple them to thy soul with hooks of steel."
Judge Nevins never was a religious man, but was disposed to be agnostic. He was 58 years of age and born in New Orleans, La.
He will be buried this Saturday afternoon at 3 o'clock. The services will be conducted at the house, Rev. A. F. Bishop officiating. The interment will be at Fairview cemetery.

The Sunday Gazetteer
Sunday, March 10, 1901
p. 4

MRS. MATTIE BARR NEVINS DEAD
A Lovable and Noted Pioneer Passes Away, to the Regret of a Sorrowing Community

It was only a few days ago that we announced the death of one of the mothers of Denison, Mrs. Rhoda M. Gilmore, and now it is our solemn duty to chronicle the death of another lady who is as conspicuous in the affections and esteem of our people as the pioneer who was just preceded her to the tomb.
Mrs. Mattie Barr Nevins was one of the most remarkable women that lived in Denison or Texas. She was a woman of great force of character. She entertained peculiar views on some questions, but she had a way of expressing them that always commanded respect and homage. She was a cultured and intellectual woman. At the same time she was one of the most gentle, sympathies and lovable characters that ever blessed the world by her presence. Whatever she believed she believed earnestly, and she demonstrated by her everyday life the purity of her convictions. She was a good mother, she was a good neighbor. When it is wished to exalt a woman's character, the world speaks of her as "a Christian woman." Mrs. Mattie Barr Nevins was as true a Christian woman as ever lived in Denison. Here is a death that only leaves regrets behind, there was not a thorn among all the roses that strewed her path.
No one ever became acquainted with Mrs. Nevins without becoming attracted to her. She was uniformly courteous and kind, gentle as the soul of a dove. Always guided by the most noble and generous impulses, she was wholly incapable of doing aught that would jar or caruse regret to her fellow-creatures.
She was the apostle of Christian Science and she had a right to be. This sect which a great many people call misguided embraces within its fold some of the noblest women that have ever lived. There is just as much goodness in this peculiar faith as there is in any branch of christianity. While we do not endorse Christian Scientists they command our respect; we admire a people that are earnest and honest. It made no difference what Mrs. Nevins believed, she ennobled the doctrine that she taught.
Her death is deeply regretted. She lived to a good age, 62 years. The grave has never closed over a better woman. Yes, one of the mothers of Denison has passed away.
Mattie Barr Nevins was born in Venego county, Pennsylvania, April 5, 1839. In 1864 she was married to John Nevins and 3 years later they moved to Kansas City, Missouri, where they lived one year, then moving to Baxter Springs, Kansas. They came to Denison in 1871 and have since resided here with the exception of 2 years residence in Chicago in 1892-3. Her husband died about 2 years ago. Deceased was one of the organizers of the First Presbyterian church in 1873.
She leaves 2 children, Walter S. Nevins, of this city; and Frank W. Nevins, of Osawotamie, Kansas.
The funeral services were conducted at the home of her son, Walter Nevins. Rev. Bishop of the Presbyterian church officiated. The interment was at the Fairview cemetery. The pall bearers were Dr. Nagle, J. T. Munson, E. T. Hathaway, Tom J. Crooks, Tom E. Davis and B. C. Murray.