2 The American Geoloaist . January, 1897 
In 1836 he was ap])ointed geologist of the "first district" 
of tlie state of New York, taking tiie place of Edward Hitch- 
cock, who had resigned this position {)fter about a month's 
field-work. Prof. Mather made five annual and one final re- 
port on the geolog}" of this district. From 1837 to 1840 he 
had in charge the first geological survey of Ohio, preparing 
two annual and one special report upon the collections gath- 
ered during tlie explorations. He was also employed to con- 
duct the geological reconnaissance of Kentucky in 1838, 1839, 
upon which he wrote a brief report. 
After the suspension of the Ohio surve}^, Prof. Mather pur- 
chased a tract of land in Jackson county, Ohio, and became a 
citizen of the state. Subsequently he taught natural science 
in the Ohio University, at Athens, and at Marietta College. 
His abilities as a geologist led to frequent emploj^ment as an 
expert in the examination of mineral lands upon lake Supe- 
rior, in Virginia, New York, Massachusetts, etc., during all 
the rest of his life. For several years he was connected with 
the Ohio State Board of Agriculture, either as secretary or 
chemist, and he was also the editor of the "Western Agricul- 
turist." He died at Columbus, Ohio, Feb. 26. 1859. 
Prof. Mather had a vigorous constitution, and consequent 
large ability to engage in scientific explorations, with the ca- 
pacity to understand and describe natural phenomena and to 
speculate upon their causes. He possessed a gentle disposi- 
tion, was manly, self-reliant. Just in his estimates of others, 
not dogmatic nor ostentatious, ready to give up any theorj"^ 
when convinced of its falsity, and he held firm religious prin- 
ciples. Through an active and laborious scientific career of 
thirt}^ years no suggestion of censure ever assailed his integ- 
rity. His work was well and faithfully done, and his name 
will always hold a place of honor among the geologists of his 
day. 
Farther special statements as to the official positions held, 
as to honorary degrees and membership in various societies, 
and a list of his various published reports, papers, and books 
are appended. These were furnished by his son, Mr. Richard 
Mather, of Ironton, Ohio. For further biographical details 
the reader is referred to the memorial sketch pi-epared by 
Hon. Ivers J. Austin in the annals of the New England His- 
