Sarah Martha "Mattie" McGrew Heermans (1844-1930)
Sarah Martha 'Mattie' McGrew Heermans
"Mattie" is the second child and only daughter of the Hon. James C. and Persis H. McGrew. She followed her parents' example by leading a life dedicated in service to her church and family. Educated at the local Preston Academy and later at the Morgantown Collegiate Institute, she had particular musical talents which she used to enrich any gathering. She served for years as the organist of the Kingwood Methodist-Episcopal Church. Also, in concerts sponsored by the Kingwood Musical Association, she not only performed solos and duets, but she also accompanied other vocalists on the piano or violin. Later in her life, she offered music lessons in her home and had the endorsement of the local newspaper editor, who warmly encouraged all young women in the county to avail themselves of that opportunity.
In 1868, she married widower Francis Heermans and took his young daughter Minnie as her own. They made their home in Kingwood, and had two other children: Edward (1870-1925) and Persis, known as "Pertie" (1873-1938). Frank, who had been a former apprentice at McGrew's store and was a former Sheriff of Preston County, became Cashier of the National Bank of Kingwood. They built an impressive brick home which still stands today.
While her children were young, Mattie taught Sunday School and led children's groups; she eventually joined her mother in leading the Woman's Foreign Mission Society and extended its influence throughout the Methodist Conference.
Devoted to her parents as she was, Mattie returned to live in the McGrew home throughout her mother's final illness, and later, the Heermans gave up their home to move in permanently with Mr. McGrew to help him in his advancing years and through to his death. Soon afterward, she and Frank made Morgantown their home, but before leaving Kingwood, they made a generous financial bequest to their church home to sustain it into the years ahead. Mattie and Frank then became active members of the Methodist Church in Morgantown and lived to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary there, surrounded by their family.
When she died in 1930, Mattie was warmly remembered by both her own family and by Anna Jarvis, the founder of Mother's Day: "[Mattie] was one of my mother's esteemed friends. They both belonged to that period that made them pioneers in missionary, temperance and other noble work of the church and community in West Virginia." Mattie is buried beside her husband and near her parents in the McGrew family plot in the cemetery in Kingwood.
In 1868, she married widower Francis Heermans and took his young daughter Minnie as her own. They made their home in Kingwood, and had two other children: Edward (1870-1925) and Persis, known as "Pertie" (1873-1938). Frank, who had been a former apprentice at McGrew's store and was a former Sheriff of Preston County, became Cashier of the National Bank of Kingwood. They built an impressive brick home which still stands today.
While her children were young, Mattie taught Sunday School and led children's groups; she eventually joined her mother in leading the Woman's Foreign Mission Society and extended its influence throughout the Methodist Conference.
Devoted to her parents as she was, Mattie returned to live in the McGrew home throughout her mother's final illness, and later, the Heermans gave up their home to move in permanently with Mr. McGrew to help him in his advancing years and through to his death. Soon afterward, she and Frank made Morgantown their home, but before leaving Kingwood, they made a generous financial bequest to their church home to sustain it into the years ahead. Mattie and Frank then became active members of the Methodist Church in Morgantown and lived to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary there, surrounded by their family.
When she died in 1930, Mattie was warmly remembered by both her own family and by Anna Jarvis, the founder of Mother's Day: "[Mattie] was one of my mother's esteemed friends. They both belonged to that period that made them pioneers in missionary, temperance and other noble work of the church and community in West Virginia." Mattie is buried beside her husband and near her parents in the McGrew family plot in the cemetery in Kingwood.