Biographies from Historical and Biographical Annals by Morton Montgomery

MATTERN,
F.L.R. (M.D.)

p. 1651

Surnames: MATTERN, FREEHAFER

F.L.R. Mattern, M.D., was born Dec. 16, 1879, son of William and
Sarah (Freehafer) Mattern, both natives of Schuylkill county.

William Mattern early in life became connected
with the iron business, and has remained in that kind of work ever
since. He is now the superintendent of the York Sheet Mill, of the
Susquehanna Iron and Steel Company, and is considered an expert in
his line. He and his wife had a family of four children, namely:
Alice, deceased; Harry, vice-president and assistant manager of the
Lebanon Chair Works; Edward, who died in infancy; and Dr. F. L. R.
Mr. Mattern is prominently identified with the Masonic fraternity,
while in religious faith he is a Methodist, and in politics a good
Republican.

Dr. F. L. R. Mattern received his early
education in the public schools of Columbia, Lancaster county, and
was for one year at the Franklin and Marshall College, in
Lancaster. His professional training was obtained in the medical
department of the University of Pennsylvania, from which he was
graduated in 1903. After receiving his degree he secured the
appointment of resident physician for one year in the Reading
Hospital, and on July 1, 1904, he opened his office in Reading.
With his thorough preparation and hospital experience, Dr. Mattern
unites a pleasing personality that inspires confidence and in his
five years of practice he has been unusually successful. His
ability is recognized not only in his constantly increasing
clientele, but also among his fellow practitioners. He is a member
of the Reading Medical Association, and is a keen student in his
profession, with a mind ever open to new and helpful ideas. The
doctor belongs to the Greek letter fraternities, Alpha Kappa Kappa
and the Phi Kappa Psi.

MATTERNES, JAMES GICKER
(M.D.)

p 504

Surnames: MATTERNES, MELL, MILLER, PAFF, SHELL, HINNERSHITZ,
GICKER, HAAG, HAM, PLIES

James Gicker Matternes, M. D., of Centreport, has been located
there in the practice of medicine ever since his graduation and is
in command of a good patronage. He was born Sept. 16, 1869, in
Lower Heidelberg township son of Abraham and grandson of Isaac
Matternes.

Heinrich Matternes the great-grandfather was an
early settler in Cumru township and followed milling there. Isaac
Matternes, the Doctor’s grandfather, was raised on the South
Mountain, back of Wernersville, and attended the Hams Church
school. He learned the shoemakers trade and followed it for some
time at Reading, eventually moving to Mt Pleasant, in Penn
township, where he died at the age of eighty-three years. He
assisted in digging for the foundation of the second house erected
at Wernersville. He was a well-known man in his day. His first wife
those maiden name was Mell, died at the age of thirty years, the
mother of five children: Abraham, Isaac, Jr., Amanda , Mary (m.
Peter Miller) and one that died in infancy. For his second wife Mr.
Matternes married a Mrs. Paff, by whom he had no children.

Abraham Matternes, son of Isaac, was born in
Lower Heidelberg township. He learned milling, which he followed a
few years, and then he went to work in Van Reed’s paper-mill, where
he contracted smallpox, from which he died in March, 1873, at the
early age of thirty-three years. He was twice married, first to
Amelia Shell, of Bern township who died without issue. His second
marriage was to Mrs. Caroline Hinnershitz, daughter of Daniel
Gicker, and to them were born two children: James Gicker and
Sallie. the latter the wife of Harry Haag, of Lower Heidelberg
township.

James Gicker Matternes attended the Blue Marsh
school in lower Heidelberg township and had two months at select
school in Mt. Pleasant. In the spring of 1887 he entered the
Keystone State Normal School at Kutztown, from which he was
graduated in the spring of 1891, after which he engaged in
teaching, five terms in all. For three terms he was in Lower
Heidelberg township, one term in Washington township and one term
in Penn township, and meantime he began preparation for the
profession to which he intended to devote his life. He read
medicine with Dr. D. H. Ham, of Mt. Pleasant, for three summers,
and in 1894 entered Jefferson Medical College, at Philadelphia,
graduating in 1897. He has since been located at Centreport
borough, where he has gained a large practice, being one of the
best known physicians of his locality. He is a member of the Berks
County Medical Society and the Pennsylvania State Medical Society
and has various fraternal connections, belonging to Vaux Lodge, No.
406, F. & A. M., of Hamburg, Pa.; Excelsior Chapter, No. 237;
Reading Commandery; and Rajah Temple, A. A. 0. N. M. S.; to the K.
0. T. M.; to camp No. 446, P. 0. 5. of A., of Centreport ; and
Perry Lodge, No. 1055, I. 0. 0. F.

In 1899 Dr. Matternes married Miss Mary E.
Plies, daughter of Benjamin Plies, of Bernville, this county, and
they have had two children, Helen May and Lawrence Abraham. The
Doctor is a member of the Bern Reformed Church. He is a Democrat in
politics and has been school director at Centreport.

MATTHEW,
JOHN A.

p. 414

Surnames: MATTHEW, MANDERBACH, BEIDLER, GABEL, ILLIG, BENNETHUM,
BUTLER, GEISSLER, BUCK, SNYDER, VALENTINE

John A. Matthew, a prominent citizen and successful hardware
merchant at Womelsdorf, Pa., was born in that town Nov. 21, 1846,
son of Elias and Elizabeth (Manderbach) Matthew. His paternal
grandfather lived at Newmanstown, Lebanon Co., Pa., and is buried
there.

Elias Matthew was born at Newmanstown, Pa., Nov.
18, 1816, and died Sept. 12, 1893, aged seventy-six years, nine
months, twenty-four days. By trade he was a stonecutter, and he
became quite well-to-do, owning his own home. He married Elizabeth
Manderbach, born March 18, 1824, and died Nov. 30, 1888, aged
sixty-four years, eight months, twelve days. Her father, John
Manderbach, served as sheriff of the county. To Elias Matthew and
wife were born five children, as follows: Maria m. John K. Beidler,
of Cumberland county, Pa.; John A.; Sarah m. S. L. Gabel, deceased;
Adda m. S. E. Illig, a barber at Womelsdorf; and Harry D., a
successful merchant at Berlinville, Pa., m. Mame Bennethum.

John A. Matthew attended the schools of his
native town, and also the schools in Heidelberg township. His
boyhood days were passed upon a farm in Ohio, but when the Civil
war broke out he returned to his home, and enlisted from Womelsdorf
in June, 1863, becoming a member of Company K, 42d Pennsylvania
militia, which was enlisted for three months, but was in service
only six weeks, going as far as Hagerstown, Md., and then returning
to Womelsdorf. On Feb. 12, 1864, he enlisted a second time,
becoming a private in Company B., 55th Pa. V. I., under Gen. Ben.
Butler, in the Army of the James. He participated in the following
engagements: Drury’s Bluff, Va. (in which the regiment lost over
300 men), Cold Harbor, Siege of Petersburg, Chapman’s Farm, Fort
Gregg, Fort Baldwin, Hatchers Run, and then followed Lee to
Appomattox. He was mustered out Aug. 29, 1865. After the war he was
unable to work for nearly two years because of a sore foot. In 1868
he bought out the omnibus route from Womelsdorf to the railroad
station, which he ran daily for twenty years. In 1888 he opened a
hardware store on High street which he still conducts, and in which
he has been very successful. He owns his own building, and this has
a frontage of sixty-six feet. In politics he is a Jefferson
Democrat, and he has filled a number of local offices of trust and
responsibility, among them those of burgess of Womelsdorf,
treasurer of the borough and councilman.

He was a member of the school board for six
years and treasurer for a number of years. He and his family are
Lutheran members of Zion Union Church.

Mr. Matthew married Lizzie Geissler, of Reading,
and they have had five children: Luther H., associated with his
father in business; Paul A., a tinsmith; Grace E., at home; and
Anna Martha and Rosa May, who both died in infancy.

John G. Geissler, father of Mrs. Matthew, was
born in Wurtemberg, Germany, where his father, also named John G.,
carried on tinsmithing. He learned his father’s trade, beginning at
the age of thirteen years, and after finishing his apprenticeship
assisted his father in the business. In the spring of 1847 he came
to America, arriving in Reading in April. Here two of his uncles
were engaged in the tinsmithing business, and they gave him
employment. He wrote home to his father of the great opportunities
open in Reading, and as a consequence John G., Sr., crossed the
ocean in the same year, bringing the entire family, and soon
becoming well established in the stove and tinware business in
Reading. All the sons made their father’s trade their life work
with the exception of John M., of Minnesota, who is an extensive
farmer and member of the State Legislature.

On Jan. 1, 1861, John G. Geissler, Jr., started
in the stove and tinware business for himself at Sinking Spring,
and in 1863 transferred it to Womelsdorf, where he was afterward
located, later being assisted by his son, Charles B. Their
establishment was one of the largest of the kind in the county. It
occupied all of the building on Front street, once used by
Congressman Ermentrout’s ancestors as a hat factory. As long as he
lived Mr. Geissler worked in the store from morning till night, and
accomplished a great deal in the course of the day. For some years
he did not go on roofs, but in his younger days preferred roofing
to any other branch of his trade. He had a comfortable residence at
the corner of Second and Franklin streets, Womelsdorf. He married
Margaret, daughter of George Buck, long since deceased, of Temple,
a Revolutionary soldier. Mrs. Geissler died in 1883. Their children
were: Elizabeth (Lizzie) m. John A. Matthew; Augustus, of
Minnesota, is engaged in the stove and tinware business; Charles
B., is with his father; Maggie m. N. D. Snyder, of York; James A.,
is in the hardware business in Minnesota; John M., of Womelsdorf,
was for fifteen years with A. S. Valentine & Son; Miss Rosa
kept house for her father. Mr. Geissler was one of Womelsdorf’s
most useful citizens, and his friends were numerous. He had been a
member of the town council, and member of the school board.
Fraternally he was one of the early members of Williamson Lodge,
No. 307, F. & A. M., of Womelsdorf; a charter member of
Germania Lodge, I. O. O. F. of Reading; and formerly belonged to
Goethe Lodge, Harugari. He died Jan. 20, 1899, aged seventy-six
years, ten months and five days.

MATHIAS
FAMILY

p. 652

Surnames: MATHIAS, MATTES/MATHEW/MATTHIS/MATTIS/MADES, HOUCK,
YEAGER, HEATER, DIENER, MOSER, EMES, REIDER, SWAVELY, SNYDER,
HEFFNER, CLEAVER, SPOHN, DRUMHELLER, GULDIN, MOTZ, CLEMENS, WELLER,
DOTTERER, DE TURCK, CLAUSER, DRY, FISHER

The Mathias family in Berks county, Pa., is of German origin, the
first of the name to come to America being

(I) Philip Mattes (as he spelled his name in his will). His will
was made Nov. 4, 1792, and probated Feb. 26, 1793 (See Will Book B,
page 331.) His death occurred in Earl township. The name Mathias is
variously spelled. In the tax list of Earl township, in 1782, it is
recorded as Philip Mathew, and in other legal documents it is
spelled Matthis, Mattis, and Mades. Philip Mattes owned
considerable property, and at his death gave two of his daughters,
Elizabeth and Maria Catharine, fifty pounds in money. His son
Philip and trusty friend, John Houck, were the executors. His
children mentioned in the will were: Elizabeth, Philip, Jacob,
Stephen, Maria Catharine, Barbara and Eva Rosina.

(II) Jacob Mathias, son of Philip, lived in Earl township, where he
obtained fifty acres of land from a man named Yeager for a bowl of
punch. At this time not all the land in the district had been taken
up. This tract is now owned by Jacob S. Mathias. Jacob Mathias
married a Miss Heater, and they are buried at Hill Church. He died
in 1825, and his will is recorded in Book C, p. 346. In it are
mentioned sons Johannes, David, William and Jacob, and daughters
Christina (m. Adam Diener), Betzy (m. George Moser), Polly (m. John
Emes and second, James Emes), Catharine (m. Henry Emes), and Sallie
(m. John Reider). The son Jacob and Michael Motz were the executors
of the will.

(II) Philip Mathias (2), son of Philip the ancestor, was born in
Amity township, and died in 1801, and is buried at Amityville. He
was a member of the German Reformed Church. His will made May 15,
1801, was probated the 27th of the following June. He married Mary
Swavely, who survived him many years, and she is buried at Oley
churches. Five children are mentioned in his will, namely: Philip,
Jacob, who was for thirty years an invalid; Elizabeth; Daniel; and
Abraham, a farmer in Colebrookdale township whose children were
William H., Jonathan, Abraham, Mrs. Jonathan Houck, Mrs. Philip
Snyder and Mrs. Heffner.

(III) Daniel Mathias, son of Philip (2), was born in Amity
township, but in early life moved to Earl. He was a farmer, and
cleared land, selling the timber to the forges. He owned a
seventy-acre farm in Earl township, which later became the property
of his son, Daniel, and remained in the Mathias name until 1908,
when Daniel Mathias’s grandson, Daniel Cleaver, purchased it.
Daniel Mathias was very successful in his work, and showed himself
a man of remarkable ability. He was a Democrat, and gave his
services to his district as school director being greatly
interested in educational matters. He was an official in the Oley
Reformed Church. With his wife he is buried in the cemetery at
Oley. He married Elizabeth Spohn, daughter of Casper Spohn, a
Hessian soldier who remained in Berks county after the Revolution.
Their children were: Anna, deceased, who married George Drumheller,
deceased, and lived in Earl township; Philip S.; Enoch, first a
farmer in Earl, then a merchant in Gilbertsville; and finally a
resident of Reading where he died; Mary, who married Elam Guldin, a
man of adventurous spirit, who served in both the Mexican and the
Civil wars; Jacob, who lived at Conshohocken, Pa.; Hiram, a
merchant at Earlville; Daniel, who lived on the homestead many
years, and later removed to his present home near Pleasantville;
and Mahlon, who died aged nineteen years.

(IV) Philip S. Mathias, son of Daniel, was born in Earl township in
1825, and he died Feb. 26, 1869. He was an early school teacher in
Earl township, teaching in all sixteen terms in one district. He
owned a 20-acre tract in Earl township, and there his death
occurred, and his remains were interred at Oley church, of which he
was an official member. In politics he was a Democrat. He belonged
to the Odd Fellows at Pleasantville. He married Mary Mathias, born
April 17, 1826, daughter of Jacob and Hannah (Motz) Mathias, a
distant relative. She now lives at Shanesville, with her daughter,
Miss Sarah E. Mathias. To Philip S. and Mary (Mathias) Mathias were
born the following children: Miss Sarah E.; Morris M.; Hannah, m.
to Edward Clemens, of Ambler, Pa.; and Ada, m. to Edwin H. Weller,
of Shanesville.

(V) Morris M. Mathias, son of Philip S., received his early
education in the schools of Earl township, and later attended the
Kallynean Academy, at Boyertown. In 1872 he was licensed to teach
by the late Prof. D. B. Brunner, and he taught three terms in Pine
Grove school in his native township. Later he taught four terms in
the Pleasantville Independent district in Oley, and then two terms
in Shanesville. He was successful both as an instructor and as a
disciplinarian, and attained a high place among Berks county
educators. In 1877 he began farming on the Aaron Weller farm near
Shanesville, and this farm became his by purchase in 1885. It
contains seventy acres of rich land, and he carried on farming here
until the spring of 1908, when he was succeeded by his son, J. M.
W. Mathias. In 1907 he built an addition to the house, and greatly
improved the property; the excellent condition of the entire place
shows his good management. He also owns several tracts of woodland,
one in Earl township, and one in Pike. He is an aggressive citizen,
intelligent and progressive, and he is keenly interested in the
development of his community. In 1882, when but twenty-eight years
of age he was elected justice of the peace, and has been re-elected
continuously since, his present term extending to May 6, 1912. He
has settled many disputes, and has many times kept friends and
neighbors out of court, being in reality the peace maker of the
district. He has served as clerk at many sales, as administrator of
estates, and also as executor, and has been made guardian of a
number of children. He is an agent of the Boyertown Fire Insurance
Company, and has been since 1893. For six years he was auditor of
the township. He and his family are members of the Oley Reformed
Church, of which he was a deacon and later elder, and he is
secretary of the Oley Cemetery Company.

On Sept. 25, 1875, Mr. Mathias was married to
Mary Ann D. Weller, daughter of Aaron and Sarah (Dotterer) Weller.
Their children were: Sarah, who died in infancy; Olivia W., at
home; Warren W., a farmer in Oley township, near Pleasantville, m.
to Willi De Turck, daughter of Daniel De Turck, of Oley, and has
children M. Daniel, Mary M., Olivia May and Philip Curtis; Morris
W., a graduate of the Keystone State Normal School, class of 1902,
and now engaged in teaching in Earl township, m. to Alice Clauser,
daughter of Henry Clauser, and has children Stanly, Helen and
Ralph; J. M. W., a farmer on the homestead, m. to Katie Dry,
daughter of Samuel Dry, and has children ? Leroy, Mabel and Annie;
and Lawrence W., a farmer in Oley, organist of the Oley Union
Sunday-school, and formerly a teacher of music, m. to Ella Fisher,
daughter of Daniel D. Fisher, and has one son, Russell.

MATTHIAS, JOHN S.

p. 639

Surnames: MATTHIAS, WHITMAN, WILSON

John S. Matthias, prominently identified with business, political
and fraternal circles of Reading, was born in that city, Oct. 23,
1860, son of David and Elizabeth (Whitman) Matthias.

David Matthias lives retired in Reading. His two
sons both reside here also: W. C., Superintendent of Fire Alarm at
City Hall; and John S., who is the representative of the Lauer
Brewing Company.

John S. Matthias attended school in Reading and
then entered the Keystone State Normal School at Kutztown, after
which he took a commercial course at the Reading business college,
where he graduated. He then served as bookkeeper in a brickyard for
five years, and spent four years as a clerk in a mercantile
establishment at Kutztown. Following this he was connected for some
eight years with the Reading Eagle, and then became bill clerk with
the United States Express Company for about four years. On Feb. 1,
1900, Mr. Matthias became associated the Lauer Brewing Company.

Mr. Matthias was married to Sallie E. Wilson,
daughter of Lyman Wilson, a well known citizen of Reading.
Politically Mr. Matthias is a Republican. In 1904 he was elected a
member of the city council from the Fifth ward, by a majority of
216 votes, the largest vote ever given any candidate for the same
office in that ward. He is a valued member of Reading Lodge of
Elks, No. 115; and of quite a number of other secret organizations.

MATTHIAS, WILLIAM C.

p.
1310

Surnames: WHITEMAN

William C. Matthias, a mechanical and electrical engineer of
Reading, and superintendent of the Fire Alarm and Police Telegraph
System of that city, was born there June 18, 1871, son of David and
Elizabeth (Whiteman) Matthias, and he has passed practically all of
his life in his home town. He obtained his education in the public
schools and the Keystone State Norman School, at Kutztown, after
leaving the latter learning the machinist’s trade with Davies,
Printz & Co. After completing his apprenticeship he was
employed at the Diamond Drill Works at Birdsboro, and later was
with the Reading Hardware Company. In 1900 he entered the City
Engineer’s office, where he remained three years, and then he
became second assistant city clerk, holding that position three
years. This he resigned to accept the post of mechanical and
electrical engineer at the city’s Sewage Disposal Plant. While
there he designed and patented numerous devices for the treatment
and disposal of sewage, which are used extensively in Reading and
elsewhere. This position he resigned to accept that of
superintendent of the City Fire Alarm and Police Telegraph System,
to which he had been appointed April 1, 1908. Since accepting this
office he has practically rebuilt the system, introducing a number
of improved methods. The city is now equipped with two sets of
wires and double sets of alarm boxes, thereby affording the people
cheaper, better and quicker service from both the fire and police
departments.

MATZ-MOTZ
FAMILY

p. 1428

Surnames: MATZ, MOTZ, WARNER, WILL, YOST, BOWMAN, FORD, POWELL,
FANCHER, WRIGHT, MASON, LONSBURY, HUNTWORK, CODNER, DANIELS, SMITH,
GOOD, MOWRER, RUSE, WINGERT, FRANCISCO, VANDEMARK, SHRIDE,
McCRACKEN, LEE, KING, ALLGIRE, GROVES, OROARK, ALSPAUGH, TUSSING,
MILLER, LOOKER, GUISINGER, THOMAS, MILNOR, HUGHES, GAYMAN

The first reunion of the Motz family (originally spelled Matz) was
held at the old homestead about one mile southeast of the Brice
(now the cozy home of Mr. Solomon Motz, the youngest of the family
of nine children), on Friday, Sept. 7th. It was an ideal fall day,
and about one hundred and twenty-five persons, including neighbors
who had been invited, were present.

“Family history is always interesting and the
history of the Motz family in America dates from the year that
Lorenz Matz, then a lad of only sixteen years, sailed with 185
others, from Rotterdam, Holland, on the ship Mercury, bound for
America. The voyage required thirty-seven days, and on his arrival
in this country young Lorenz settled near Mohnsville, Berks county,
Pa. Here he married and reared a family of ten children, nine boys
and one daughter. One of these sons, whose name was Daniel, was the
great-grandfather of the present generation who, with their
descendants, joined in the reunion last Friday. Unfortunately
little is known of his history, or that of his son, Grandfather
Motz, whose name was also Daniel. Grandfather Motz, however, was
the father of seven children, six sons and one daughter.

“One of his sons, Daniel, married Henrietta
Warner. To them were born eleven children, seven sons and four
daughters. The family lived successively in Berks, Lancaster, and
Franklin counties, Pa., and in the spring of 1855 the father,
mother and the ten children then living came to Ohio and located in
Franklin county, on the farm now owned by the youngest son,
Solomon, where the reunion was held. The names of the children, ten
of whom came to Ohio with their parents are as follows: Benville
Motz, aged seventy-five, lives in Truro township, near Brice. He is
the father of nine children, two sons and seven daughters; two of
the daughters are deceased. Daniel Motz, who died at Akron, Ohio,
in 1904, aged seventy-one, was the father of sic children, four
sons and two daughters. Hannah Motz (Mrs. Henry Will), of Canal
Winchester, aged seventy-one, is the mother of seven children,
three sons and four daughters; a son and daughter are deceased..
Levi Motz, aged Seventy, of Granite City, Ill,. Is the father of
three children, two sons and one daughter; the mother and sons are
deceased. Henrietta Motz died in Pennsylvania in 1851, at the age
of twelve. Henry Motz, aged sixty-six, who resides in Madison
township, Franklin county, Ohio, is the only bachelor in the
family. Mary (Mrs. David Yost) of Shelby county, Ill., aged
sixty-four, is the mother of eleven children, ten of whom are
living. Reuben Motz, aged sixty-two, of Oakland. Cal., is the
father of three children, two sons and a daughter. John Motz, aged
fifty-nine, of Columbus, Ohio, is the father of eight children,
four sons and four daughters. Susan (Mrs. Samuel Bowman) of Canal
Winchester, aged fifty-seven, is the mother of four children, three
sons and one daughter. Solomon Motz, aged fifty-four, and living on
the home place near Brice, is the father of one son. The combined
aged of the nine children living foot up 578 years, an average of
over 64 years.

“Those present at the reunion representing the above families were:
Benville Motz and wife, of Brice, and their children, as follows:
John Motz, wife and four children of Brice; Mrs. George Ford and
four children of Brice; W. B. Motz, of Truro township; Mrs. Sarah
Powell and two children, of Vigo, Ross county; Mrs. Henry Fancher
and one child, of Brice; Mrs. Maude Mason of Madison township.

“Sidney Motz of Wooster, Orlando Motz of Toledo, and Ella Lonsbury
of Akron, children of Daniel Motz, deceased.

“Henry Will, of Canal Winchester, wife and children as follows:
John Will and wife of Canal Winchester; George Will , wife and four
children, of Brice; William HUNTWORK, wife and two children, of
Basil; William CODNER, wife and two children, and Miss Jessie Will,
of Canal Winchester.

“Levi Motz, of Granite City, Illinois.

“Henry Motz of Brice.

“(None of the members of David Costs family of Shelby county,
Ill., or of Reuben Mottss family of Oakland., Cal., could be
present, but they sent letters feelingly expressing their regrets
and hoping for a pleasant reunion.)

“John Motz, wife and children as follows; Rose C. Daniels and two
children; Gertrude, Sarah and Henrietta Motz, all of Columbus,
Ohio.

“Samuel Bowman, wife and children; John C, and wife, Howard and
wife, and grandchildren, Catherine and Earl Smith, all of Canal
Winchester.

“Solomon Motz and wife, and their son George, his wife and son, all
of near Brice.

“On the Warner side of the house the only representatives present
were Mr. And Mrs. Elisha Warner, of St. Paul, Ohio.

“Representatives of other branches of the Motz family (being
cousins in various degrees) were the following:

“Misses Arda and Stella Matz, and Mrs. Dr. Good, of Bellevue, Ohio;
Mrs. Mary A. Mowrer, of Catawba Island, Ohio.

“Mrs. A. W. Matz and daughter Miss Ida, Jacob Matz, daughter Hulda
and two grandchildren, and Mr. Wellington Matz, all of Wooster,
Ohio. The latter is connected with the Wooster Daily News and the
Wayne County Democrat, and one of those jolly good fellows who
knows how to keep everything running in a pleasant vein at any kind
of gathering.

“Louie Matz and wife, of Cleveland, Ohio.

“The following neighbors and friends were also present to enjoy the
day: Mrs. Jonathan Ruse, daughter Myrtle and son Harry. James
Wingert and wife, George Francisco, Albert Francisco, and Miss
Jennie Francisco. George Vandemark, wife, daughter Grace and sons
Homer and Clark. Perry Smith, wife and child. Berril Shride and
wife, George Lee, wife and daughter Luda. Pierce McCracken. Tullie
King and Miss Lou King. F. L. Allgire and wife. George Groves and
wife. Wesley ORoark. William Alspaugh, wife and daughter Gatha.
Mrs. Thurman Tussing and daughter Mabel. Vernon Miller, who was the
official photographer. Mrs. Noah Looker, Ralph Guisinsger, Charley
Ford. George Thomas and wife of Columbus. Joseph Milner, wife and
son Willie of Pickering. Rev. Hughes and wife, of Canal Winchester,
and B. F. Gayman representing The Times and The Buckeye News.

“The foremost hours were spent by members and friends of the Motz
family in reviewing the family history and in social chat, and at
noon dinner was announced. After the gables had been removed from
the lawn and a group picture had been taken of all present, the
meeting was called to order by Mr. John Motz, but before doing so
he would call upon some of those present for short addresses. The
following responded in the order named: Rev. G. F. Hughes and B. F
Gayman, of Canal Winchester; Wellington Matz, of Wooster; Elisha
Warner, of St, Paul; Henry Will, of Canal Winchester.

“On motion of Wellington Matz, John Motz, of Brice was elected
[resident, and Mrs. Alice Codner, of Canal Winchester,
secretary-treasurer. A collection, amounting to $4.62, was lifted
to defray the expense for postage and other incidentals attending
the next reunion. The chair then appointed the secretary, Mr.
Wellington Matz, of Wooster, and Mr. Henry Motz, of Brice, a
committee to select the time and place for the next reunion. The
secretary was requested to keep a record of the births and deaths
on the different branches of the family, and then, following the
adjournment, well-wishes were said and the first pleasant reunion
of the Motz family was at an end.”

MATZ,
ISAAC

p. 1427

Surnames: MATZ, SNYDER, HINCKEL, SCHAEFFER, SLATER, ALBRIGHT,
CURRY, SMITH, STAUFER, WALTMAN, KERLING, CLOWRY

Isaac Matz, for some years, one of Readings leading contractors
and builders was a native of Berks county, and died in Reading, in
1881.

Mr. Matzos educational advantages were secured
in the common schools of his native county, and at an early age he
learned the carpenters trade, which he followed for a short time
before engaging in contracting for himself. He was an able business
man, and was connected with various enterprises. Mr. Matz was
married to Sarah Snyder, daughter of John Snyder. She died Jan. 27,
1904. To this union were born the following children: Frank died at
the age of thirty years; Kate m. John Schaeffer, and had seven
children: Maggie m. Mabury Slater, and had two children; Charles
died at the age of two years; Rebecca m. William Albright, a cigar
maker, and had two children, one now deceased; Lillian m. Thomas M.
Curry, and had two children, Thomas Wilfred (deceased), and Angela;
Thomas m. Ella Smith, and had two children, Mary (deceased), and
Harold; Sally m. (first) Jefferson Stauffer (by whom she had five
children), (second) George Waltman, and (third) Daniel Kerling;
Isabella died young; J. Jefferson m. Laura Clowry, and has two
children, a daughter Arline, and a son.

In religious belief the family were connected
with the Reformed Church. Mr. Matz was a Democrat in politics, but
never cared for public office.

MATZ,
JAMES

p. 1189

Surnames: MATZ, WOBENSMITH, ZEIGLER

James Matz, contractor and builder, No. 1273 Cotton street,
Reading, was born Sept. 26, 1855, in Cumru township, Berks county,
son of Gabriel and Elizabeth (Wobensmith) Matz.

His grandfather, Jacob Matz, was also a native
of Berks county. He and his wife had the following children: Jacob,
John, Isaac, David, Gabriel, Reuben, and several daughters. In
politics he was a Democrat. The family belonged mostly to the
Reformed Church.

Gabriel Matz was a carpenter by trade, and from
1861 until his death in May, 1889, he was engaged in contracting in
Reading. He was a skilled workman, as many of Reading’s most
substantial buildings and residences built by him will testify, and
was a kind and helpful neighbor and a useful citizen. In politics
he was a Democrat, but outside of casting his vote, cared little
for public matters. He and his wife who died in 1906, aged
seventy-eight years, were the parents of these children: Henry,
Clara, James, Susan, Jacob, Sally, Samuel, and Charles. In
religious belief the family were Reformed.

James Matz obtained a common school education in
Reading, and as a boy learned the carpenter’s trade, under his
father. For several years father and son were engaged together in
contracting and building, but in 1884 James branched out on his own
account and since that time his operations have averaged
thirty-five houses a year. During this time he has erected five
public school buildings, numerous factories, the Keystone Fire
Company’s building, and that of the Union Fire Company. In 1906 he
was engaged in erecting the tool house for the Reading Water Board,
at Maiden Creek Pumping Station. He is a skilled mechanic, is
honest in his dealings and lives up to the terms of his contract.

On Jan. 10, 1880, Mr. Matz married Miss Annie L.
Zeigler, daughter of John and Emma Zeigler, and they had the
following children: Charles E., a veteran of the Spanish-American
war, is also connected with the regular army, and has seen service
in the Philippines; James A., who served in Troop F, 2d U. S. Cav.,
from June 2, 1898, to Jan. 31, 1904, was promoted to sergeant, and
saw service in Cuba, the Philippines and Fort McPherson, Ga.;
William A. is a carpenter of Philadelphia; Annie L., in the Girls’
high school, Reading; and George W. C., also in high school.

Mr. Matz is fraternally connected with the F. O.
E. He has been prominently identified with public matters and for
four years served as a member of the common council from the Tenth
ward, and also inspector of elections.