John Johnson Van Matre
John Johnson Van Matre is the son of Morgan and Mary (Pierce) Van Matre.
Born: 24 May 1803 in Morgantown, Ross County (now Snow Hill, Clinton County), Ohio, USA.
Died: 27 Jul 1880 at the age of 77 in Fayette, Lafayette County, Wisconsin, USA.
Married: 23 Jan 1823 Mary “Polly” Matthews in Clinton County, Ohio, USA.
Find A Grave: Memorial #101270126 buried at Union Cemetery, Calamine, Lafayette County, Wisconsin, USA. Headstone reads: “John J. Van Matre” died July 27 1880, 77 years & 2 months”.
Mary “Polly” Matthews daughter of Joel and Phoebe Matthews.
Born: 25 May 1804 in Ohio, USA.
Died: 6 Jun 1866 at the age of 62 in Willow Springs, Lafayette County, Wisconsin, USA.
Find A Grave: Memorial #101270140 buried at Union Cemetery, Calamine, Lafayette County, Wisconsin, USA. Headstone reads:”Mary Van Matre, died June 6, 1866, aged 62 years & 26 days”.
Clinton County, Ohio 1803 - 1835
John Johnson was born in Morgantown, Ross County (now Snow Hill, Clinton County), Ohio. He was about ten years old when his dad passed away.
He was about 13 years old when his mother married Nathan Kelly of Deerfield, Warren County, (now South Lebanon), Ohio. It is difficult to know whether he joined them in Deerfield or he stayed in Clinton County with his older siblings. However, his older children were born in Clinton County, so he either stayed with his siblings in Clinton County when his mother remarried, or he returned to Clinton County to marry Mary and settled.
He married Mary Matthews on January 23, 1823, when he was 20 years old and Mary was 19 years old. His first four children were born in Clinton County, Ohio, most likely Morgantown.
Table of Contents
Michigan Territory 1825-1830
In 1825/1826, John Johnson Van Matre left his young family behind in Ohio and traveled to Michigan Territory with his brothers, A. P., Joseph and Lewis, and his sister Mellissa, to join A.P. Van Matre in the mining of Lead. A.P. Van Matre traveled to Michigan Territory in about 1818 and he connected with Jesse Shull. They married Indian girls and eventually discovered Lead. After Jesse’s wife died, he married young Melissa Van Matre. You can find more details and A.P.’s story on my post Andrew Pierce Van Matre. You can find Melissa and Jesse’s story at my Morgan Van Matre post.During the time they were mining Lead, there were some disputes with the Indians. The Winnebago War was in 1826-1827 and disputes over the land ended in the Black Hawk War in 1832. We can only speculate at this point, but John Johnson Van Matre and returned to his family in Ohio, most likely about 1830 or so, most likely due to the unrest with the Indians. You can read more about these Indian Wars in my post Wisconsin History.
Many biographies give the date of the brothers joining A.P. between 1825 and 1828. It’s evident they came as early as 1825 based on the timeline for their sister Melissa’s age and marriage. She was 14 when they left Ohio and sometime after arrival she married Jesse W. Shull a few days after she turned 15 [15th birthday was 12 Aug 1826].
The following excerpt from The History of Lafayette County places the time of the brothers joining A.P VanMatre and Jesse W. Shull as early as 1826 as follows:1
Prior to permanent settlements, temporary residences had been established by lead prospectors in various parts of the county. In 1824, a Superintendent of Mines was appointed for the mineral country claimed by the Government in the Upper Mississippi district. His duties were confined to the enforcement of rules and regulations formulated by himself, and, as they did not always represent that portion of remedial justice in which the law, by reason of its universality, was deficient, their enforcement was calculated to create a variety of opinion, generally adverse to this official. Miners were compelled to locate their claims on land which was free from the claims of others, and restricted in the sale of their ore to licensed smelters. They were obliged to submit to these regulations, because there was no retreat and the proof of damage the county sustained by the peculations indulged is to be found in the increased numbers who immigrated into La Fayette when these regulations were removed, and mining became the business of private individuals, companies or corporations.
Another influence that was exerted disastrously in the earlier settlement of this portion of Michigan Territory were the menaces of the Winnebago Indians. They manifested a vindictive uneasiness from the date when adventurous miners first appeared in the future county and began their prospectings. These expressions of uneasiness, culminated in 1827, in open rupture between the savages and the settlers, which compelled the Government to interfere and conquer a peace that was concluded three months later at the Portage. To these two almost impassable embargoes is to be attributed in a very great measure, the delay experienced ineffecting permanent occupation of the domain.
Notwithstanding the difficulties cited, the wave of emigration began to tend in the direction of the lead mines at a day when the Indians were prime factors in its prevention and lords of the soil. The first permanent settlements made are said to have been commenced in 1824. The authority for this is general repute, though there are those who claim that their coming occurred during the year 1828.
Among those who made their advent during 1826, both before and after the Winnebago troubles, were the Van Matre brothers— John, Joseph and Lewis—who began mining in Shullsburg Township, developing what has since been known as the Badger Lot Diggings, having been discovered by these adventurous men through the information imparted to them by an Indian squaw, who pointed out the ore thrown up by Badgers in mining. Jesse W. Shull came the same year and settled in the same vicinity [the location later named after him].
Michigan Territory 1832-1836
In August 1832, there was a final battle with the Indians in Wisconsin and Illinois, thus ended all Indian difficulties, and from that period the progress of Wisconsin has been rapid and astonishing.
Among those who settled in the county [future Lafayette County] was M. G. Fitch, Thomas H. Price, who made claim in the north end of the county; John J. Van Matre and Morgan L. Van Matre [possibly Johns nephew, Isaacs son], Ohioans, in the township of Fayette.2
John J. moved his family to Michigan Territory about 1835 based on his children’s birthdates and places. His son, Nathan Kelly was born in 1834 in Clinton County, Ohio and his daughter Mary Jane was born in Lafayette County, Wisconsin in 1836, according to later census records, although the area was still Michigan Territory at that time.
John J. and his family settled on a farm which remained in the Van Matre family continuously for five generations. The farm had an abundant supply of lead, which was dug for several years and hauled to Mineral Point to be smelted. It was no. doubt through the sale of the lead that John J. was able to buy the thirteen hundred acres of land that he owned. This acreage was divided into five farms and is located about where Willow Springs shows on the map below. It has been said that John J. often carried as much as a thousand dollars in his pockets while he was working on his farm.3
Lafayette County, Wisconsin Territory 1836-1848
in 1836, the area now becomes Wisconsin Territory. Lafayette County was established in 1846 out of Iowa county, in preparation for the Territory becoming a state.
John Johnson Van Matre took an active part in the organization of LaFayette County, Wisconsin. When the county commissioners met on December 25, 1847, he was elected the first county chairman of LaFayette county. His brother, James Van Matre located in Wiota, (now Wisconsin) and represented that district.
The following is an excerpt from History of LaFayette County, Wisconsin:4
“The County Roster.
In order that a sufficient record of officers may be her show, the foregoing narrative-account of organization is recapitulated as follows:
La Fayette County was organized in the spring onf 1847, out of a part of Iowa County. The first meeting of the Commissioners was held at Shullsbur May 3, 1847. The board consisted of John J. Van matre, Chairman, John Griffin and Allen Warden; R. E. Campbell was Clerk of the board; Robert M. Long, Sheriff; William Bennett, Treasurer; James H. Knowlton, Prosecuting Atthorney; Samuel G. Bugh, Regiser of Deeds; Washington M. Hinman, County Surveryor.
The following were the different precincts: Wiota, Gratiot, Prairie, Belmont, White Oak Springs, benton, Shullsburg, Fever River, Elk Grove and Willow Springs.
The next meeting of the County Commissioners was held January 8, 1848. The board consisted of John J. Van Matre, James M. Day and Joseph White. John J. Van Matre was elected Chairman. No change in precincts. Johnathan J. Marvin, Clerk.
The first meeting of the Commissioners for Lafayette County was held 8 May 1847. Allan Warden was sworn in and took his seat to fill the vacancy occasioned by the division of Iowa County. The other Commissioners were John J Van Matre and John Griffin, held over according to the provisions of the law dividing the county of Iowa. John J. Van Matre was elected Chairman.
For 1849, the board consisted of John Ray, Chairman, John Armstrong, Samuel cole; J. J. Marvin, clerk. At this session of the board the county was divided and organized into the towns as follows: Benton, New Diggins, Argyle, Wayne, Belmont, Kendall, Elk Grove, White Oak Springs, Gratiot, Shullsburg, Willow Springs, Center, Fayette and Wiota. [Note that this is when the majority of the Van Matre property was now in Fayette Precinct, with a couple hundred acres still in Willow Springs Precinct.] …”
The First Grand Jury roll was drawn in this year, 1847, when the following gentlemen were called upon to make a presentment of crime in the district:
Wiota Precinct—James Van Matre, Rafael Caldwin, Thomas Cheilton, Anthony Miller, Albert G. Pinney, Bennett Million, John E Elred, William P. Truesdell.
Fayette, Lafayette County, Wisconsin 1848-1880
John J. continued to live and farm in Fayette Township, Lafayette County, Wisconsin.
The 1850 Federal Census shows him as a farmer living with his wife and the three younger children. His daughter-in-law, (Peter’s wife) Almira and their two sons George and Morris were living with them. There was an Elisha Lawrence (male) also listed in the census as a farmer, most likely a farm hand. Their neighbors included the William Van Matre family, most likely John’s nephew (his brother Joseph’s son). His Real Estate was valued at $7,000.
John J’s son, Peter, was in California with his father-in-law mining gold in 1850 (and perhaps his uncle T.J., who died in California while mining for gold in 1856), so his wife and two sons were living with John J. and Mary. This family would eventually settle in California. See Peter Van Matre and Almira Heath Van Matre’s story below.
The 1860 Federal Census shows John J. and Mary living with their youngest son, Thomas and a William Campton, both Student at Law, as occupation. John Oleson was living with them as a farm laborer. John’s son, Joseph Van Matre with wife Jane and children Ellen and Frances are showing as neighbors. His Real Estate was valued at $9,000 and his Personal Property $1,500.
On 6 June 1866 John’s wife, Mary, dies at the age of 62.
The 1870 Federal Census we find John head of household at the age of 67. His son Thomas, his wife Elizabeth and their three children are living at the home farm with John J. A Peter Larson, 20, is showing as a laborer and Oliva Larson, 18, as a servant. His Real Estate was valued at $13,000 and his personal property at $2,000.
The 1880 Federal Census is dated 19th day of June 1880 and showing John’s son Thomas (T.J.) as head of household, with his wife, Betsy and their four children. Under occupation, John J. is showing as “at home” and classified as a widower. It looks like his son T.J. has taken over the farm. John died just a few weeks later.
He died on July 27, 1880 at the age of 77. His son Thomas remained on the farm with his family, most likely taking over the farming sometime prior to John’s death.
John Johnson and Mary (Matthews) Van Matre Children
1. Sidney Ann Van Matre
Sidney Ann Van Matre was the daughter of John Johnson and Mary (Matthews) Van Matre. Her Find A Grave memorial spells her name Cydney as do many webgens.
Born: 1 Jul 1823 in Clinton County, Ohio, USA.
Died: 18 Jun 1885 at the age of 61, years, 11 months and 18 days, in Waldwick, Iowa County, Wisconsin, USA.
Married: 12 May 1842 George Lucius Hall in Iowa County, Wisconsin, USA, by the Rev. Mr. Whitford.
Find A Grave: Memorial #126921508 buried at Waldwick Cemetery, Waldwick, Iowa County, Wisconsin, USA.
George Lucius Hall son of Judah and Sarah “Sally (Ayers) Hall.
Born: 6 Sep 1820 in Enfield, Massachusetts, USA.
Died: 28 Feb 1901 at the age of 81 in Waldwick, Iowa County, Wisconsin, USA.
Find A Grave: Memorial #126921622 buried at Waldwick Cemetery, Waldwick, Iowa County, Wisconsin, USA. His obituary (found at his Find A Grave Memorial) states he and Sydney were buried at the Yellowstone Cemetery, but his headstone is found at Waldwick Cemetery.
When George was a small boy he moved with his family to New York state and later to Ohio. In about 1835 he went to Wisconsin and they settled in Willow Springs, Lafayette County.
When the time came to build a new church, he donated the land. George was a very religious man, a leader in his church. He with his brothers Elihu and Exra, took an active part in all affairs of the county and state.
George and Sidney settled on a farm near where the Yellowstone church now stands in Yellowstone, Lafayette County Wisconsin in Fayette Township. The Yellowstone community was built up around the nucleus of the church and he was chosen class reader and Sunday school superintendent and filled various offices of the church that a layman can fill. They were generous supporters of the church, their time and money they gave freely. Their home was always the home of the church and their hospitality was equal to the occasion.
During the gold rush, he went to California twice, once in 1852, remaining a year and a half, and again in 1859, this time with an ox team, he drove the entire distance to Shasta City, California. He has the distinction of being the only man in the world perhaps who has driven an ox team across this continent. When a boy he drove from Enfield, Massachusetts, on the Atlantic coast to New York state from there to Ohio and from there to Wisconsin, and in 1859 to California.
An interesting side note, their property in Yellowstone, Fayette Township, Lafayette County, Wisconsin, was next door to the property of my husbands great grandfather John Henry Meili, and my husbands namesake who would have lived there during the same time frame. The five Van Matre farms were located just a few miles west.
George Lucius and Sydney Ann (Van Matre) Hall Children:
- Mary Eunice Hall (1844-1920) married Jeremiah James Hunbert.
- Julie Ann Hall (1846-1919) married George Henry Reynolds.
- Adeline “Addie” Hall (1849-1928) William McNeill.
- John Van Hall (1852-1933) married Addie Vinetta Crowell.
2. Peter Van Matre
son of John Johnson and Mary (Matthews) Van Matre.
Born: 25 Feb 1825 in Clinton County, Ohio, USA.
Died: 10 Oct 1910 at the age of 81, in Berkeley, Alameda County, California, USA.
Find A Grave: Memorial #21039852 buried at Weaverville Cemetery, Weaverville, Trinity County, Calfiornia, USA.
Almira Heath daughter of Chandler Graham and Lydia (Wyman) Heath, also spelled Elmira in some records.
Born: 30 Jan 1829 in Conway, Carroll County, New Hampshire, USA.
Died: 9 Aug 1884 at the age of 59, in Weaveerville, Trinity County, California, USA.
Married: 12 May 1846 Almira Heath in Mineral Point, Iowa County, Wisconsin, USA, by the Rev. Mr. Whitford.
Find A Grave: Memorial #21039828 buried at Weaverville Cemetery, Weaverville, Trinity County, Calfiornia, USA.
In 1849, Peter left his family at home and made his first trip across the plains over the Platte River route to California. During the winter of 1849-1850 Peter mined, averaging about $33.00 per day. He returned to Wisconsin during the summer of 1850. He made a second trip to California. He returned to Wisconsin again that year, this time to make plans to bring his family to Californiia.
Evidently he thought the trip across the plains would be too rugged for the family so they traveled to New York, embarking from there for the Isthmus of Panama. It took 27 days to make the trip across the Isthmus on mule back.
They settled in Minersville, California where they built the Van Matre Ranch. in 1961 Minersville and the Van Matre Ranch was flooded by the creation of the Trinity Lake. An interesting article can be found at “Anger lingers over towns flooded by Trinity Dam“.
You can find their full story on my post Peter Van Matre.
Peter and Almira (Heath) Van Matre Children:
- George Van Matre (1847-1927)
- Morris “Mart” Van Matre (1848-1941) married Mary E. Leavitt.
- Fanny Van Matre (1853-1937) married John Russell Halsey.
- Fordyce Van Matre (1854-1857)
- Adrian Judson Van Matre (1856-1945) married 1st Alice S. Kellogg; married 2nd Dora Edith Drinkwater.
- Caroline “Carrie” Van Matre (1858-1934) married Albert John Hechtman.
- John Chandler Van Matre (1859-1921) married Bertha Koll
- Walter Griffin Van Matre (1861-1932) married Josephine “Jossie” Fox.
- Almira Van Matre (1863-1951) Louis V. Glascock.
- Louise “Lue” Sergent Van Matre (1865-1943) married Henry M. Ellis.
- Minnie Van Matre (1868-1925) married John J. Derrig.
3. Joseph Van Matre
son of John Johnson and Mary (Matthews) Van Matre.
Born: 26 Aug 1832 in Clinton County, Ohio, USA.
Died: 13 Dec 1900 at the age of 68, in Blanchardville, Wisconsin, USA.
Married: 1 Oct 1854 Jane Martin Iowa County, Wisconsin, USA.
Find A Grave: Memorial #117495832 buried at Waldwick Cemetery, Waldwick, Iowa County, Wisconsin, USA.
Jane Martin daughter of William and Mary Stuart (Lumsden) Martin.
Born: 8 Jul 1834 in Kirkhill of Kennethmont, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.
Died: 13 Dec 1920 at the age of 68, in Waldwick, Iowa County, Wisconsin, USA.
Find A Grave: Memorial #117495875 buried at Waldwick Cemetery, Waldwick, Iowa County, Wisconsin, USA.
Joseph Van Matre joined his family in Wisconsin in 1838 when he was just 6 years old. About 1849 he joined his brother Peter on his trip to California to join the Gold Rush. it has been said that he walked from Omaha to San Francisco barefooted.
When his gold mining adventures were over, Joseph returned to Wisconsin and settled on the family farm in the town of Fayette. He married Jane Martin in 1856.
Jane Martin was born on a farm known as the Mains of Craig Hall, located near the village of Kennethmont, fifty miles from the city of Aberdeen, Scotland. Her family came to America in 1852 and settled with the family on a farm two and a half miles northeast of Waldwick, Wisconsin.
Jane was a teacher at Georgetown school. Later Joe and Jane had a post office, also called Georgetown, right across the road from their house.
You can find their story on my post Joseph Van Matre.
Joseph and Jane (Martin) Van Matre Children:
- Mary Ella Van matre (1858-1940) married John H. Calvert.
- Frances Marion Van Matre (1859-1957) married F. Wilson Baker.
- John Leon Van Matre (1862-1953) married Ida Lillian Campton.
- George Franklin Van Matre (1866-1954) married Caroline Doering.
- Frederick W. Van Matre (1868-1871)
- Horace Van Matre (1871-1894) – killed in a railroad accident.
4. Nathan Kelly Van Matre
son of John Johnson and Mary (Matthews) Van Matre.
Born: 14 Nov 1834 in Clinton County, Ohio, USA.
Died: 28 Dec 1917 at the age of 81, in Mineral Point, Iowa County, Wisconsin, USA.
Married: 1 Oct 1856 Marilda A. Wiley in Ohio County, Wisconsin, USA.
Find A Grave: Memorial #120509949 buried at Graceland Cemetery, Mineral Point, Iowa County, Wisconsin, USA.
Marilda A. Wiley daughter of Joseph Lorenzo and Matilda A. (Batchelor) Wiley.
Born: 20 Mar 1835 in Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Ohio, USA.
Died: 3 May 1919 at the age of 84 in Mineral Point, Iowa County, Wisconsin, USA.
Find A Grave: Memorial #120509987 buried at Graceland Cemetery, Mineral Point, Iowa County, Wisconsin, USA.
You can find his story on my post Nathan Kelly Van Matre.
5. Mary Jane Van Matre
daughter of John Johnson and Mary (Matthews) Van Matre.
Born: 2 Mar 1837 in Fayette, Lafayette County, Ohio, USA.
Died: 29 Jul 1933 at the age of 96 in Blanchardville, Lafayette County, Wisconsin, USA.
Married: 13 Oct 1854 John Goodridge Baker in Lafayette County, Wisconsin, USa.
Find A Grave: Memorial #94108506 buried at Blanchardville, Lafayette County, Wisconsin, USA.
John Goodridge Baker son of Josiah Goodridge and Mary (Keith) Baker..
Born: 5 Jun 1829 in Vermont, USA.
Died: 2 Jul 1912 at the age of 83 in Green County, Wisconsin, USA.
Find A Grave: Memorial #94108504 buried at Blanchardville, Lafayette County, Wisconsin, USA.
The following excerpt is from A Story of a Van matre Family, by Joseph M Van matre:5
Mary Jane Van Matre was born in Fayette, Wisconsin on March 2, 1836. She was the first white child born in that county, and her mother was fearful that the Indians would kidnap her. She told stories about the Indians appearing in the area and her mother hiding her under a huge kettle on the hearth.
She was married at age seventeen to John Goodridge Baker, also of Fayette, on October 23, 1854. John’s father gave them a farm on the outskirts of Blanchardville as a wedding gift. She spent most of her ninety-six years there. Soon they had three children – Clara, William, and Arthur. For a period of time she left her husband and moved to Madison where she did domestic work for a professor’s family. Later there was a reconciliation. Twin girls, Mary Annette and Myra Jannette, were born in November, 1874. After her husband died in 1912, she continued to live on the farm.
Foster Thomas, a grandson, the son of Mary Annette Thomas, lived in Blanchardville and often rode his pony to visit her. In fact, he said he spent more time with her than at home.
After Foster was married, she spent a month each year with him and his wife, Vera. A highlight of her visit was going to the hairdressers to have her hair “bobbed”. She had very modern ideas, yet she rocked the babies and was a most delightful guest.
As she became elderly, her daughter Clara and various young great-grandsons stayed with her on the farm during the summers; in the winter she lived with her daughter Myra in Evansville. She did a lot of handwork, pieced quilts, and tatted. She must have tatted miles! Even after she was ninety, she tatted edgings and insertions for sheets and pillowcases for each of her great-granddaughters.
She loved Edgard A. Guests’ poetry and amused visitors by reciting his humorous poems. She seemed to know them all. In the front of Guest’s “Harbor Lights of Home” is written, “The arrow has flown. The moment gone. The millennium rushes on. On to our view. And Eternity is near. January 1, 1932 Grandmother.”
She passed away in her sleep July 29, 1933.
John Goodridge and Mary Jane (Van Matre) Baker Children:
- Clara Baker (1855-1947) married Rev. Ira LeBarron.
- William Baker (1857-1932) married first Angie Corbin; married 2nd Charlotte Dixon.
- Arthur Thomas Baker (1859-1891)
- Mary Annette Baker, twin of Myra (1874-1958), married Howard Dudley Thomas.
- Myra Jannette Baker, twin of Mary (1874-1952), married Martin L. Paulson.
6. Thomas Jefferson Van Matre
son of John Johnson and Mary (Matthews) Van Matre.
Born: 20 nJan 1839 in Fayette, Lafayette County, Ohio, USA.
Died: 30 Jul 1925 at the age of 86 in Blanchardville, Lafayette County, Wisconsin, USA.
Married: 13 Nov 1861 Elizabeth “Betsy” H. Cox in Lafayette County, Wisconsin, USA.
Find A Grave: Memorial #117495712 buried at Waldwick Cemetery, Waldwick, Iowa County, Wisconsin, USA.
Elizabeth “Betsy” H. Cox daughter of Stephen Ulysses and Mary Ann Hallock Cox.
Born: 4 Jun 1835 in Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, USA.
Died: 11 Nov 1905 at the age of 70 in Blanchardville, Lafayette County, Wisconsin, USA.
Married: 13 Nov 1861 Elizabeth “Betsy” H. Cox in Lafayette County, Wisconsin, USA.
Find A Grave: Memorial #117495749 buried at Waldwick Cemetery, Waldwick, Iowa County, Wisconsin, USA.
Thomas J. Van Matre was born in the town of Fayette, Wisconsin. He attended the University of Wisconsin at Madison, the only one of the family to accomplish this honor. When he finished his education, he was appointed to the office of Superintendent of Schools for Lafayette County. After a few years he returned to the farm, and during the years that followed he held many positions in the field of agriculture.
He was a politician, deeply involved with the Prohibitionist Party. he was very much opposed to the use of tobacco in any form and was strongly opposed to the use of all alcoholic beverages. He wrote and gave many speeches for the good of the Party.
He was a member of the Masonic Lodge and a believer in its teachings.
He was called T. J. by the older people of the area, and the younger folks lovingly called him Uncle Tom. he was always well-dressed and always a gentleman.
You can read more about him and his family at my post Thomas Jefferson Van Matre.
Thomas Jefferson and Betsey H. (Cox) Van Matre Children:
- Minnie Van Matre (1862-1958) married Charles Collicutt.
- Walter Van Matre (1866-1958) married Corda Campton.
- Clarence Van Matre (1870-1951) married Annice Proctor.
- Mary Van Matre (1873-1959) married Henry Reed Carter.
Citations and Attributes:
- History of LaFayette County, Wisconsin, Chicago: Western Historical Company. 1881, p. 437-438.
- History of LaFayette County, Wisconsin, Chicago: Western Historical Company, 1881
- Van matre, Joseph M.,"A Story of a Van matre Family, page 31 1985.
- History of LaFayette County, Wisconsin, Chicago: Western Historical Company. 1881, p. 482 & 489.
- Van Matre, Joseph M., "A Story of a VanMatre Family, page, 69,1985.
- Map of Iowa County, Wisconsin Territory - 1838. The University of Iowa Libraries, Iowas Digi- tial Library website: http://digital.lib.uiowa.edu/cdm/singleitem/collection/sheetmaps/id/20/ rec/10