Nathan Kelly Van Matre (1834-1917)

A Jan Joosten Van Meteren Line: INTRO & DIRECTORY

Nathan Kelly Van Matre (1834-1917)

Nathan Kelly Van Matre is the son of John Johnson and Mary “Polly” (Matthews) Van Matre.

Born: 14 Nov 1834 in New Vienna, Clinton County, Ohio, USA.

Died: 28 Dec 1917 in Mineral Point, Iowa County, Wisconsin, USA.

Married: 1 Oct 1856 Marilda A. Wiley in Iowa 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 in Mineral Point, Iowa County,Wisconsin, USA.

Find A Grave: Memorial #120509987 buried at Graceland Cemetery, Mineral Point, Iowa County, Wisconsin, USA.

Marilda A. Wiley descendant of John Thomas

I was able to trace Marildas ancestry back to one of her 6th great grandparents, John Thomas, who immigrated to America in 1635. This line would be the oldest immigrant family I’ve found so far (Van Matre ancestors immigrated in 1662).

The following is an excerpt of a story posted to ancestry.com¹

Samuel Thomas

Born: November 6, 1655 – Marshfield, Plymouth, Massachusetts
Died: September 2, 1720 – Marshfield, Plymouth, Massachusetts
Buried: Marshfield, Plymouth, Massachusetts

Mercy Ford

Born: 1662 – Marshfield, Plymouth, Massachusetts
Died: September 1741 – Marshfield, Plymouth, Massachusetts
Buried: Marshfield, Plymouth, Massachusetts

Revised June 14, 2013

Samuel Thomas was the third of eight children, and second son, born to John Thomas (1621-1676) and Sarah Pitney (1628-1682). Both of Samuel’s parents had immigrated to New England as children in 1635. John on the “Hopewell” and Sarah on the “Planter”. Samuel’s siblings, who were all born in Marshfield, were John (1649), Elizabeth (1652), Daniel (1659), Sarah (1661), James (1663), Ephraim (1668) and Israel (1670).

John Thomas, Samuel’s father, was the steward of “Careswell”, the estate of Governor Edward Winslow. John, an orphan, had been adopted by Winslow as a boy. This allowed the Thomas family to have significant standing in the community.

On May 27, 1680, in Marshfield, Samuel Thomas, age 24, married Mercy Ford, age 18. Mercy was born in 1662 and was the second of ten children born to deacon William Ford (1633-1721) andSarah Dingley (1639-1727). Mercy’s grandfather, William Ford (1604-1676), was one of the earliest settlers of the Plymouth Colony, arriving in 1621 on the ship “Fortune”. Mercy’s siblings, John (1659), Joseph (1666) Josiah (1664), Sarah (16668),Mary (1671),Margaret (1673), Experience (1676), and twins Bethiah and Bathsheba (1680). Bethiah lived one month but all the other children grew to adulthood.

Between 1681 and 1699, Samuel and Mercy Thomas had eight children, all born in Marshfield, Massachusetts. They were Bethiah (1681), John (1683), Samuel (1685), Nathan (1688) Joseph (1690), Gideon (1692), Sarah (1697) and Josiah (1699). Al the children grew to adulthood.

Samuel Thomas and Mercy Ford apparently led very quiet and uneventful lives, for virtually nothing can be found in this historical record regarding anecdotes of their lives.

Samuel Thomas died at age 64 on September 2, 1720, in Marshfield. Six years later, on September 14, 1726, in Marshfield, Mercy, herself now 64, married Josiah Finney, son of John Finney and Elizabeth Bailey. Josiah Finney was born in 1660 and was 66 years old at the time of his marriage to Mercy. Unfortunately, Josiah would die within a year of the marriage. Mercy Ford Thomas Finney lived another 15 years, dying at age 79 in September 1741.

* * * * *

Ancestor Relationships to Marilda A. (Wiley) Van Matre:

John Thomas (1621-1676) and Sarah Pitney (1628-1682) 6th great grandparents.
Samuel Thomas (1655-1720) and Mercy Ford (1662-1741) 5th great grandparents.
Samuel Thomas Jr (1685-1755) and Jennet Turner (1700-1756) 4th great grandparents.
Martha Thomas (1722-1808) and Joseph Wiley (1711-1776) 3rd great grandparents.
Samuel Wyley (1757-1793) and Euctice Conkley (1722-1808) 2nd great grandparents.
Joseph Wiley (1785-1862) and Mary “Polly” Beckwith (1788-1875) grandparents.
Joseph Lorenzo Wiley (1810-1883) and Matilda A. Batchelor (1855), parents.
Marilda A. Wiley (1835-1919)

Joseph Lorenzo and Matilda (Batchelor) Wiley

Marilda A Wiley was the oldest daughter of Joseph Lorenzo and Matilda A. (Batchelor) Wiley. Joseph was born in New York and was the son of Joseph Wiley of Massachusetts and Mary “Polly” Beckwith of New York. He married 1st Matilda Batchelor on June 26, 1833 in Mineral Point, Iowa County, Wisconsin. They had several children, including: Marilda A. Wiley (married Nathan Kelly VanMatre); Andrew J Wiley (died in civil war: June 9, 1864 and is buried at the National, Alexandria, Va.); William Nelson Wiley (married 1st Mary Ann McEwen, 2nd Myrtle Mae Reed); Elias Keyes Wiley; Charles Batchelor Wiley (married Emily Tucker Fristoe); John Luther Wiley (married Mary E. Hargis); and Clarissa Matilda Wiley (Otto B. Lehmann). His wife Matilda died in 1855. He then married 2nd Nancy Webber. They had several children including: Mary Olive “Ollie” Wiley (married Andrew Jackson Winters); Nathan “Nate” Lorenzo Wiley (married Ida J. Jessup) ; Ida Lee Wiley; Julius James Wiley (married 1st Alata Theoline Beaty, 2nd Olga May Lauphin); and Joseph Granat Wiley (married Sarah J. Wiley).

Matilda Batchelor was the daughter of William Batchelor / Batchelder and Olive Luther. Matilda was born in Danby, Rutland County, Vermont on February 25, 1816.

The Federal Census prior to 1850 only shows head of household and number of people and age ranges. For 1840 Joseph is showing as living in Conneaut, Erie County, Pennsylvania. He is employed in agriculture, so most likely farming.

The 1850 Census shows Joseph, 40 and Matilda, 34, Living in Conneaut Township, Erie County, Pennsylvania on 27th of December 1850 with several children: Marila (sic), 15; Andrew, 13, William, 12; Elias, 9; Charles, 4; and John, 2. Joseph is showing as a Farmer, born in New York. Matilda was also showing as being born in New York. Marilda, Andrew, and William were born in Ohio, Elias in Pennsylvania, Charles and John in Wisconsin. So it’s apparent the family moved from Ohio, where the older children were born, to Pennsylvania then to Wisconsin and back to Pennsylvania. By 1855 they are back in Wisconsin, where Matilda died and Joseph remarried.

Joseph Lorenzo Wiley died in 1883 in Yamhill County, Oregon at the age of 72. It appears he moved to Oregon with his 2nd wife and younger children between 1862 and 1864.

Joseph Wiley was a descendant of the Thomas Family. Joseph Lorenzo Wiley’s father was Joseph Wiley, his father was Samuel Wiley. Samuel married Martha Thomas, who is a direct descendant of John and Sarah (Pitney) Thomas. John Thomas immigrated from Suffolk, England in 1635 to Plymouth, Massachusetts at the age of 14.

The following is an Excerpt from the History of Marshfield:²

John Thomas came in the Hopewell Sept. 11, 1635, 14 years of age. He was taken into the family of Gov. Edward Winslow, Green Harbor, and became the steward of the estate. He married Sarah, daughter of James and Susan Pitney, Dec. 21, 1648. The site of his house is marked by the statue presented to the late Adelaide Phillips, the great singer. He died in 1676, Mrs. Thomas died in 1682.

Another long line of pioneer ancestors that came over in the 17th century and one of the earliest immigrant ancestors to America.

Nathan Kelly and Marilda Van Matre

Lafayette County, Wisconsin

When only two years old, Nathan Kelly Van Matre’s family moved from his birthplace in Ohio to a place called Duke’s Prairie, where I assume is now Fayette, Lafayette County, Wisconsin, (then Michigan Territory), which was then but sparsely settled by white men, and over it occasional bands of Indians roamed. Young Nathan grew to manhood in that locality when the territory of Wisconsin was in the making.³

At 15 Nathan Kelly was living at home with his parents in Fayette Precinct, Wisconsin working with his father as a farmer. By the time he was 26, he had married and had his first son, Willis. The 1860 Federal Census shows him owning his farm, neighbor to his father, John Johnson Van Matre in Willow Springs Precinct.

To put things in perspective, Willow Springs Precinct is just west of Fayette Precinct (which was added in 1849). One of the farms overlaps Willow Springs Township and Fayette Township and this is the farm that Nathan and his family settled on. The homestead is close to and overlaps the border of the two precincts as shown in the maps below.

N.K. Van Matre is showing as owning 200 acres, section 24, Willow Springs Township, Lafayette County, Wisconsin. He is also still showing as owning 51.50 acres in Section 19 of Fayette Township (which overlaps onto the Willow Springs Property). and 108.5 acres and 20 acres in Section 20 of Fayette Township, Lafayette County, Wisconsin. These are on the 1895 Plat Maps. You can see neighbors in Fayette Township are T.J. Van Matre, Jos. Van Matre and Jno. Van Matre.

The 1860 Federal Census shows Nathan, 26; Marilda, 25; and Willis, 3 months. They are showing up on the Town of Fayette, Wisconsin Census. Nathan is a farmer. Value of Real Estate is $600 and value of personal property is $600.

The 1870 Federal Census shows Nathan, 35; Marilda, 35; and their three sons, Willis, 13; Elvin, 7; and Morris, 3. They are now in Willow Springs, Wisconsin. He is showing Real Estate owned valued at $18,000 and his personal property at $1,500. As mentioned, I speculate that they are on the same farm, as the farm overlapped the two townships

The 1880 Federal Census shows Nathan, 45; Marilda, 44; and their three children Elvin, 16; Morris, 12; and Clara, 7. They are still living on the farm in Willow Springs. Nathan is still farming, Marilda keeping house and the kids at school.

Below images show the Van Matre properties in the two townships, next to each other. Van Matre properties in Blue. The A. V. Campton on the map is his Uncle, Morgans daughter Elizabeth’s husband. Black Dots show where the houses were located on the farms.

Interesting side note:

My son, Kelly Wayne Van Matre was named after Nathan Kelly, his 2nd great grandfather.

You will see a Henry Meili owning 132.96 acres in section 24 on the Fayette Township map (below) marked with a blue dot. The Van Matre properties are marked with a red dots. John Henry Meili is my husband, John Henry Burns, great grandfather and namesake. So, the Van Matres and Meili’s were neighbors.

It’s a small world.

Eighty-Second Birthday – March 20, 1917⁴

Eighty-Second Birthday.

Children and grandchildren of Mr. and Mrs. N. K. Van Matre of this city gathered at their home, Tuesday, March 20, 1917, to partake of a bounteous dinner served in honor of the eighty-second birthday anniversary of their mother. Those present were: Mr and Mrs Morris Van Matre and family, Mr and Mrs Charles Allen and daughter, Mr and Mrs Lloyd Van Matre, Mr and Mrs Elmer Ellsworth. All enjoyed this pleasant affair. Mrs Van Matre has good health and enjoys all which makes life worth living.

Commentary by Leila Marilda (Allen) Ludden

The following commentary about N.K. Van Matre and his wife, Marilda, was written by their granddaughter, Leila Marilda Allen Ludden, mother of Allen Ludden [host on the gameshow “Password” and husband of the famous Betty White].⁵

Nathan Kelly Van Matre was a lively individual, and I’m sure my mother inherited a great deal of his characteristics. Grandmother was such a quiet, serious lady who was not robust as far back as I can remember. A wing was built onto the house that Mother and Dad had on the hill, so Grandmother and Grandfather were with us and I can remember them when I was quite young.

He loved to have me go with him whenever he had a chore to do. Sometimes Mother wanted me too, and so there was an argument. They were two of a kind – I didn’t seem to care which way I went – anyhow. Grandpa and my mother called the shots. Grandma and Dad did the best they could.

Grandfather was the county politician and I’m sure you’ll find he attended meetings here and there, maybe family reunions, too. Mother went with him, I think.

As they grew older, they lived in Mineral Point. When I was teaching school, I did some weekend work for them – in 1914.

Grandpa smoked a pipe but had to do it outdoors or in the kitchen and then open the door for a while. He was a great domino player and spent much time at the cigar store. He was on the noisy side and many people knew when he was on the street.

He and Grandmother had been members of a country Christian church and were very religious. The church was destroyed before I ever saw it. There was a Methodist church that was near and we went, but they would not be interested so they stayed home. Grandmother had two volumes of the New Testament in large print. They are now at our Frank’s house.

Mother and Dad moved to Mineral Point in 1916.

I have followed no sequence. I’ve simply written things about the family as they came to mind. They were a great people who were the salt of the earth. Grandfather never bought anything he couldn’t pay for and he expected no one in his family to, either.

Nathan Kelly Van Matre Obituary

Nathan Kelly Van Matre was born in New Vienna, Ohio November 14, 1834, and died in Mineral Point, Wisconsin December 28, 1917, aged 83 years, 1 month and 14 days.

When only two years he came with his parents to Wisconsin. They settled upon Dukes Prairie, which was then but sparsely settled by white men. And over it occasionally bands of Indians roamed. Young Nathan grew to manhood in that locality when the territory of Wisconsin was in the making.

Sixty-one years ago last October he was united in marriage to Miss Marilda Wiley, in whose helpful and loving companionship he lived until called home.

Removing from their farm Mr. and Mrs. Van Matre made their home in town some years ago, and last September they took up their residence with Mr. and Mrs. Charles Allen, that their daughter Mrs. Allen, might add to their comfort by the loving ministrations of herself and family.

Three sons and a daughter were born to Mr. and Mrs. Van Matre, and of these are living, Willis of Redmond, Oregon and Morris and Mrs. Charles Allen of this City. Decedent also leaves a sister and brother, Mrs. Jane Baker of Blanchardville and Thomas J. Van Matre of Mineral Point. The funeral was held on Sunday afternoon and was conducted by Rev. W. J. C. Bond. The Pallbearers were nephews: Frank, Clarence, and Walter Van Matre and Charles Collicut. Also, Henry Carter and Elmer Ellsworth. In a short discourse Rev. Bond said:

“Our brother was well known in mineral Point and vicinity. His friendliness was a valuable asset to his disposition. Solomon’s well-known proverb, ‘If a man would have friends he must show himself friendly’, found a splendid illustration in Mr. Van Matre’s life. Few men in Southwestern Wisconsin could number so many friends as he.”

Mr. Van Matre was associated in business with the publishers of The Democrat for a good many years and our relations with him were very pleasant and satisfactory. he will long be remembered in this community.

Marilda A. (Wiley) Van Matre Obituary

Marilda Wiley was born near Cleveland, Ohio, March 20, 1835, the daughter of Joseph and Matilda Wiley; and died in Mineral Point, May 8 1919; aged 84 years. When Marilda was 15 years of age she came with her parents to this section and settled. On October 1, 1856 she was united in marriage with Nathan Kelly Van Matre. Mr. Van Matre died in 1917, since which time Mrs. Van Matre has lived with her daughter Mrs. Charles Allen, at whose home she passed away. In the year of her marriage she and her husband were baptized and entered into the membership of the Christian church, ever remaining a Faithful disciple of the master.

She leaves two sons, Willis of Redmond, Oregon, Morris M. of this city and one daughter Mrs. Charles Allen; two brothers William and Charles Wiley of Oregon, Elvin another son, died about two years ago. “Aunt Rilda”, as her close friends called her, has gone home. She was a good woman and a true mother.

Funeral services were held from the Charles Allen home on Monday afternoon, Rev. A. H. Schoenfeld officiated.

Nathan Kelly and Marilda A. (Wiley) Van Matre Children

1. Willis Wiley Van Matre

son of Nathan Kelly and Marilda A. (Wiley) Van Matre.

Born: 28 Jul 1857 in Mineral Point, Iowa County, Wisconsin, USA.

Died: 11 Dec 1942 at the age of 75 in Redmond, Deschutes County, Oregon, USA.

Married 1st: 6 Jan 1885 Sarah Eudora “Dora” Hunnell in Henderson, Hamilton Couonty, Nebraska, USA.

Married 2nd: 16 May 1901 Caroline Verdaline Hunnell in Aurora, Hamilton County, Nebraska, USA.

Find A Grave: Memorial #309886631 buried at Redmond Memorial Cemetery, Redmond, Oregon, Deschutes County, Oregon, USA.

Sarah Eudora “Dora” Hunnell daughter of Frederick Alfred and Lois Pratt (Bray) Hunnell.

Born: 26 Apr 1867 in Green County, Wisconsin, USA.

Died: 17 Sep 1899 at the age of 32 in Farmers Valley, Hamilton County, Nebraska, USA.

Find A Grave: Memorial #76601551 buried at Farmers Valley Cemetery, Hamilton County, Nebraska, USA.

Caroline Verdaine Hunnell daughter of Frederick Alfred and Lois Pratt (Bray) Hunnell and sister of Sarah Eudora “Dora” Hunnell.

Born: 19 Feb 1881 in Farmers Valley, Hamilton County, Nebraska, USA.

Died: 9 Sep 1958 at the age of 77 in Redmond, Deschutes County, Oregon, USA.

Find A Grave: Memorial #30988626 buried at Redmond Memorial Cemetery, Redmond, Oregon, Deschutes County, Oregon, USA, plot 39.

You can find their story at my Willis Wiley Van Matre post.

Willis Wiley and Sarah Eudora “Dora” (Hunnell) Van Matre Children:

Frederick Nathan Van Matre (1886-1952) married Lillian Alvina Wolf.
Ernest Willis Van Matre (1894-1896) buried with his mother in Nebraska.
Elvin Wiley Van Matre (1894-1975) married Verna Claire Skinner.
Dean Wilbur Van Matre (1899-1948) married Idella Mae Miller.
–

Willis Wiley and Caroline Verdaline (Hunnell) Van Matre Children:

Lillian Mae Van Matre (1902-1997) married John Henry Farrell.
Willis Marion Van Matre (1906-1978) married 1st Elinore Lynette Howard; married 2nd Grace Tibbets.
Clara Lois Van Matre (1911-2000) married Robert Bruce Berni.
Carroll LeRoy Van Matre (1913-1981) married 1st Jacqueline Hardison; married 2nd Anna May Seltz.
Evelyn Marilda Van Matre (1917-1995) married Ernest Myrtlo Wilson.
Everett Eugene Van Matre (1919-2011) married Betty Eline Millsap.

2. Elvin Andrew Van Matre

son of Nathan Kelly and Marilda A. (Wiley) Van Matre.

Born: 7 May 1863 in Mineral Point, Iowa County, Wisconsin, USA.

Died: 1917 at the age of 54 in Tulsa, Tulsa County, Oklahoma, USA.

Married 1st: 2 Apr 1884 Clara Ettie Noble in Willow Springs Township, Lfayette County Wisconsin, USA.

Married 2nd: 15 Sep 1910 Iantha (Campton) Shipman, in Lafayette County, Wisconsin, USA. They moved to Oklahoma in 1915.

Clara Ettie Noble daughter of John and Elizabeth “Betsoy” (Webber) Noble.

Born: 27 Dec 1865 in Lafayette County, Wisconsin, USA.

Died: 11 Sep 1891 at the age of 25 in Cheyenne, Laramie County, Wyoming, USA..

Find A Grave: Memorial #112410045 buried at Lakeview Cemetery, Cheyenne, Laramie County, Wyoming, USA, Lot 472, Space B.

Iantha (Campton) Shipman daughter of John and Elizabeth “Betsy” (Webber) Noble and widow of Eugene Henry Shipman.

Born: 20 Sep 1862 in Lafayette County, Wisconsin, USA.

Died: 11 Mar 1933 at the age of at the age of 70 in Mineral Point, Iowa County, Wisconsin, USA.

Married 1st: 15 Sep 1910 Eugene Henry Shipman in Lafayette County, Wisconsin, USA.

Divorced: Before 1910 Eugene Henry Shipman.

Find A Grave: Memorial #114575567 buried at Graceland Cemetery, Mineral Point, Iowa County, Wisconsin, USA.

Note: I assume that after Elvin died in 1917, in Oklahoma, Iantha returned to Lafayette County, Wisconsin. This is most likely where her children lived. Iantha and Eugene Shipman had five children: Ella Mytle Shipman, Daisy L. Shipman, Eugene Marshall Shipman, Orville Raymond Shipman and Archie Vernon Shipman. Eugene Shipmans died 24 Oct 1921. His death certificate shows him as divorced.

Elvin and Clara Van Matre

Elvin and Clara moved to Hamilton County, Nebraska, where they obtained 40 acres in the SW corner of section 15 in the Farmers Valley Precinct in Hamilton County. The following 1888 Plat map shows their farm next to his brother Willis Wiley Van Matre. In 1886 they had their only child, Albert “Bert” Van Matre. Clara died in September of 1891 of Typhoid fever in Cheyanne, Laramie County, Wyoming. Why she was in Wyoming is not known, but that is where she was buried.

Elvin also appears to have had Typhoid Fever, as noted in an Aurora, Nebraska Newspaper. But it indicates he was returning from Colorado in November of 1891.

Why they were traveling that year is unknown. Elvin is still showing as owning the farm in 1895, but at some point before 1910, he returned to Lafayette County, Wisconsin where he married Iantha Shipman.

Elvin and Iantha (Campton) Shipman Van Matre

In 1906 Elvins son, Bert, died of Typhoid Fever.

Elvin married Iantha in Lafayette County, Wisconsin in 1910. In 1915 they moved to Wagner, Oklahoma. Why is not known, but his son Bert, died in Oklahoma and Elvins obituary states “Interment was made at Porter, Oklahoma, where some few years ago his son Bert was buried.” A notice in the Aurora, Nebraska newspaper stated that Bert was visiting his father in Oklahoma when he died of typhoid fever in 1906, implying that Elvin was in Oklahoma as early as 1906. I couldn’t find a Find A Grave Memorial for either of them.

I also could not find any information about what Elvin and Iantha did in Oklahoma those few years before Elvin died, however, I did find newspaper articles stating property totaling 235 acres was sold to his brother Willis W. Van Matre in June of 1910.

It appears that Iantha returned to Lafayette County, Wisconsin, where she died in 1933.

The following notices were found in various newspaper clippings:

Clara Etta (Noble) Van Matre Obituary – September 1891⁶

Mrs. E. A. Van Matre

Departed this life at Cheyenne, Wyoming, of typhoid fever, September 11, 1891, Clara E. Noble VanMatre, wife of E.A. Van Matre, aged 26 years. She leaves a father, four sisters, three brothers, a husband, a little boy five years old and a large circle of friends to mourn their loss.

Farewell Clara hast left us. Here our loss we deadly feel, But ’tis God that hath berefe us. He can all our sorrow heal.

From our Regular Correspondant HAMPTON (Nebraska), Aurora News-Register – Nov 21, 1891⁷

Last Tuesday Dr. Woodard was called to see Elvin Van Matre, who is quite sick at his brother’s. Elvin returned from Colorado about two weeks ago, having partly recovered from typhoid fever, but was getting worse after arriving here.

FARMERS VALLEY – August 31 1906⁸

Word from Oklahoma to W. W. Van Matre tells of the death there on July 12th of Bert Van Matre, who was visiting his father at the time. The cause of the death was typhoid fever. He and his parents were well known here several years ago when they lived in the Valley. W.W. Van Matre is an uncle of the deceased.

Real Estate Transfers – June 3, 1910⁹

Minnie Thompson to Willis W. Van matre. 75 acres sec 3, T-4-S-R-9-W^• $3500.00.

Frank Hall and wife to Wilis W. Van Matre. 160 acres in sec 3, T-4-S-R-9-W. $6900.

NOTES by the Iowa County Democrat – September 16, 1915¹⁰

Mr. and Mrs. Elvin Van Matre have gone to Wagner, Oklahoma to reside.

Elvin Van Matre Obituary – March 22, 1917¹¹

Elvin Van Matre.

Died at the Sunnyside hospital at Tulsa, Okla., of pneumonia, Mr. Elvin Van Matre; age 53 years, 9 months, 19 days. His illness was of short duration, being sick about ten days. Although he died among strangers, his relatives felt that he was well cared for by the Sisters at the hospital.

Elvin Van Matre was born in the town of Willow Springs, Lafayette county, Wisconsin, May 17, 1863. He was well known in Mineral Point and had a great many friends here and wherever he went. he leaves to mourn their loss a wife, and his father and mother, Mr. and mrs. N.K. Van Matre, one sister mrs. Charles Allen, and his brother Morris Van Matre, of Mineral Point, and his brother W. W. Van Mater of Sisters, Oregon.

Interment was made at Porter, Okla., where some few years ago his son Bert was buried.

Elvin Andrew and Clara Ettie (Noble) Van Matre Child

Albert Van Matre (1886-1906) – He died of Typhoid Fever in Oklahoma, at the age of 20.¹²

3. Morris Nathan Van Matre

son of Nathan Kelly and Marilda A. (Wiley) Van Matre.

Born: 7 Jul 1867 in Mineral Point, Iowa County, Wisconsin, USA.

Died: 4 Mar 1955 in Mineral Point, Iowa County, Wisconsin, USA.

Married: 17 Dec 1890 Maggie Cade in Iowa County, Wisconsin, USA.

Find A Grave: Memorial #114985727 buried at Gracedland Cemetery, Mineral Point, Iowa County, Wisconsin, USA.

Maggie Cade daughter of John and Sarah J. (Baxter) Cade..

Born: Sep 1870 in Wisconsin, USA.

Died: 1950 at the age of about 79 in Mineral Point, Iowa County, Wisconsin, USA.

Married: 17 Dec 1890 Maggie Cade in Iowa County, Wisconsin, USA.

Find A Grave: Memorial #114985727 buried at Gracedland Cemetery, Mineral Point, Iowa County, Wisconsin, USA.

Morris and Maggie Van Matre

Morris and Maggie were married in 1890, in Mineral Point. They owned their own farm in Willow Springs, Wisconsin.

The 1900 US Federal census shows them farming, renting their farm, but it looks like the code 0 for Own, R for renting, was changed to or from an O (Owning their own farm?). Their son Lloyd was 6 years old and they had a servant: Charles Ku?chen, aged 20.

The 1910 census shows Morris, Maggis and Lloyd on their farm (right below his sister and brother in law, Charles and Clara Allen on the census, so probably neighnors). They own the farm with a mortgage.

We know (based on the newspaper article below), that they rented out their farm and moved to California in 1915, but by the 1920 US Federal Census shows they are back in Wisconsin, owning their home free of mortgage on Ridge Street, Mineral Point, Wisconsin. Occupation shows as “none”. It does not appear that they are living on the farm and we can only assume that it is still being rented (if they had not sold it). Morris is 52, Maggie 49 and Doris is 12 years old. Lloyd is now on his own.

By the 1920 census, they were back living on the farm and they do own it. They now had two children: Lloyd, age 16, and Doris, aged 2.

The 1930 census shows them renting their home on Washington Street, Mineral Point, Wisconsin and Morris is working as a farm laborer at the age of 62. Doris is now 21 and still living at home, neither have an occupation.

The 1940 census shows them living on State. Hwy 89, on a farm. Morris is still farming at the age of 72. Maggie is 69 and Doris is still living with them at the age of 32. it’s not noted whether they own the farm or not.

Maggie died in 1950 and I was not able to find Morris in the 1950 US Federal census. Morris died in 1955.

Following are several newspaper clippings:

MARRIED – December 19, 1890¹³
VAN MATRE-CADE.

At the P.M. parsonage, on Dec. 17, 1890, by. Rev. S. R. Chubb, Mr. Maurice Nate VanMatre to Miss Maggie Cade, both of Willow Springs.

Van Matre Sale – February 25, 1915¹⁴

Van Matre Sale

Having rented my farm for cash and going to California, I will sell on my farm 7 miles southeast of Mineral Point, 10 miles north of Darlington, 6 miles northwest of Fayette, and three miles southwest of Waldwick village on Thursday, March 4, 1915, the following described property:

9 Head of Horses–1 bay mare five years old, weight 1300 pounds, 1 brown mare five years old, 1 gray mare four years old, 1 trotting bred mare six years old, in foal to Dr. Bee Bee, 1 draft mare two yers old, 1 draft gelding two years old, 2 trotting bred fillies two years old, 1 sucking colt.

75 Head of Cattle–15 Holstein cows, bred for factory, 8 Holstein heifers, coming 2 years old bred for factory use, 2 Durhams heifers coming two years old, 12 two year-old Durhams steers, 8 yearlings steers Durhams, 29 calves, 4 Holstein heifers, 10 Durham heifers calves, 15 Durham steers calves.

10 brood sows, 60 chickens, 20 pure bred Buff Orpingtons, 35 tons of hay, 4 turkeys.

Machinery, etc.– 1 Thomas hay loader, 1 Deering mower, 1 Hayes corn planter, 1 disc, 1 Mandt wagon, 1 disc corn sulky, 1 harrow 1 cream separator, 1 set of harness, 10 bu. of seed corn, 2 milk cans.

Sale commences at 10 o’clock. Lunch at 11. Terms as usual.

MORRIS VAN MATRE

Thomas Flood, Auctioneer.
E.Y. Hutchison, Clerk.

Special Notice.

The above live stock have all been inspected by J. O. Schimming, Veterinary Surgeon of Mineral Point, and found free from foot and mouth disease.

MORRIS VAN MATRE

Obituaries:

Morris Van Matre – March 5, 1955¹⁵
MINERAL POUNT–Morris Van Matre, 87, died at his home here Friday morning [March 4, 1955].

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday in the Treweek Funeral Home.

Morris Van Matre – March 9, 1955¹⁶

Services were held at Mineral Point, Monday, for Morris Van Matre, 87, who died Friday. A daughter, Doris, and son, Lloyd, survive.

Morris Nathan and Maggie (Cade) Van Matre Children:

Lloyd Van Matre (1894-1969) married Lucile Brown.
Doris A. Van Matre (1907-1978) never married.

4. Clara Marilda Van Matre

daughter of Nathan Kelly and Marilda A. (Wiley) Van Matre.

Born: 22 Oct 1870 in Mineral Point, Iowa County, Wisconsin, USA.

Died: 1 Mar 1960 in Janesville, Rock County, Wisconsin, USA.

Married: 26 Mar 1890 Charles Joseph Allen near Mineral Point, Ohio County, Wisconsin, USA.

Find A Grave: Memorial #126482620 buried at Milton Lawns memorial park, Janesville, Rock County, Wisconsin, USA.

Charles Joseph Allen son of John B. and Jane Diana (Sweeney) Allen.

Born: 10 oct 1864 in Green County, Wisconsin, USA.

Died: 5 Oct 1951 in Janesville, Rock County, Wisconsin, USA.

Find A Grave: Memorial #126482613 buried at Milton Lawns Memorial Park, Janesville, Rock County, Wisconsin, USA.

Charles Joseph and Clara Marilda (Van Matre) Allen

Charles and Clara are showing in the 1990 US Federal Census in Willow Springs, Lafayette County, Wisconsin farming. The code for Owned or Rented is not clear (both O and R are written on top of each oter, so can’t tell which is correct). Their two daughters Leila, 5 and Bessie J, 11 months old.

In the 1910 Census, we find Charles and Clara living on their farm in Willow Springs, showing they own it free of mortgage. As noted in the above commentary by their daughter, Leila, they had an addition added to their home and Clara’s parents, Nathan Kelly and Marilda Van Matre are living with them. Their daughter Leila is 15 and Bessie is 11.

By 1920 they are living in Mineral Point, Iowa County, Wisconsin, owing their home free of mortgage on South Iowa Street. His occupation is showing as General Work. They have taken in roomers: Lila McNutt and Helen Goodrich. Charles and Clara’s daughter Bessie is 20 and their daughter, Leila Ellsworth is 25 widowed with a young son 3 ¹/₂ years old, Allen Ellsworth (their grandson), who are living with them.

By 1930 they are renting their home on S. Main St., Janesville, Wisconsin. Charles at 59 years old is showing as a carpenter in the House industry as an employer. Clara is an Operator for the Telephone company. They have two lodgers, Gladdis Burhaus and Betty Davis, who both also work as operators for the phone company.

The 1940 census shows them renting their home on Mc Kinley Street. Charles, now 75 is showing as a Janitor for a Clinic. Clara, now 69 is a seamstress and works out of her own home.

In 1950 they are still living on McKinley Street. Charles is 85 and Clara 79. No occupations is listed, so assume they are retired.

A fun tidbit: Their daughter Leila Married 2nd Homer Ludden. Homer adopted her son, Allen and changed his name to Allen Ellsworth Ludden. Allen Ludden was the host on the TV show “Password” and he married the famous Betty White. Allen died in 1981 and Betty White never remarried. Allen Ludden is my children’s 2nd cousin 1x removed. See his story on my post at Allen Ellsworth Ludden, coming soon.

Janesville Couple Wed 60 Years – March 23, 1950¹⁷

Mr. and Mrs. Charles J. Allen, 314 McKinley street, will observe their 60th wedding anniversary Sunday. No celebration has been arranged as Mr. Allen is recuperating at his home after surgery at Mercy hospital with Mrs. Allen as his nurse.

Mrs. Allen was born in 1870 on one of the Van Matre farms in LaFayette county, Wisconsin. her great-grandfather Van Matre came from Holland to Ohio in 1721. His sons located in Wisconsin in 1836. mr. Allen whose ancestors also came from Ohio, was born in Green county.

Mr. and Mrs. Allen spent part of their married life in Mineral Point, coming to Janesville in 1930. They have two daughters, mrs. Home J. Ludden, Corpus Christi, Tex, and Mrs. E. W. Rost, Janesvlle; three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Charles and Clara Marilda (Van Matre) Allen Children

Leilia Matilda Allen (1895-1986) married 1st Elmer Ellsworth; married 2nd Homer Ludden.

Leila and Elmer Ellworth had a son, Allen Packard Ellsworth. Elmer died in 1919. She then married Homer Ludden, who adopted Leilas son, Allen. Allen became Allen Ellsworth Ludden. Allen Ludden was a famous TV celebrity and among others was famous for the “Password” TV game show. He would marry the famous Betty White. You can read his story at my Allen Ellsworth Ludden post, coming soon.
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Bessie J. Rost (1899-1977) married Ernest William Rost.

Citations and Attributes:

Samuel Thomas and Mercy Ford story "Thomas Samuel 1655-1720" , posted to ancestry.com by devore ryan on 4/1/2017(Accessed 14 Ju 2023).
Lysander Salmon Richard, History of Marshfield, Vollume II. 1905. p 89.
Samuel Gordon Smyth, A Genealogy of the Duke-Shepherd-Van Metre Family, 1909.
Mrs. N. K. Van Matre 82nd birthday, Iowa County Democrat, Mineral Point, Wisconsin, Thursday, March 22 1917 retrieved from newspapers.com at https://www.newspapers.com/article/iowa-county-democrat/128444075/ (Accessed 16 July, 2023).
Van Matre, Joseph M., A Story of a Van Matre Family, 1985, p. 54.
Clara Etta (Noble) Van Matre-Obituary posted to ancestry.com, no source listed. (Accessed 16 Jul 2023).
Elvin Van. Matre Ill-Aurora News-Register, Aurora, Nebraska, Saturday, November 21,1891, retrieved from Newspapers.com at https://www.newspapers.com/article/aurora-news-register/128327277/ (Accessed 16 July 2023).
Bert Van Matre death notice, The Republican-Register, Aurora, Nebraska, Friday, August 31, 1906, retrieved from newspapers.com at https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-republican-register-notice-of-death/128331638/ (Accessed 17 July 2023).
Real Estate Transfers to Willis W. Van Matre, The Waurika News, Waurika, Oklahoma, Friday, June 3, 1910, retrieved from newspapers.com at https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-waurika-news/128442154/ (Accessed 17 July 2023).
Mr. & Mrs. Elvin van Matre go to Wagner, Oklahoma to live, Iowa County Democrat, Mineral Point, Wisconsin, Thursday, September 16, 1915, retrieved from newspapers.com at https://www.newspapers.com/article/iowa-county-democrat/128326719/ (Accessed 16 July, 2023).
Elvin Andrew Van Matre Obituary, Iowa County Democrat, Minral Point, Wisconsin, Thursday, March 22, 1917, retrieved from Newspapers.com at https://www.newspapers.com/article/iowa-county-democrat/128324328/ (Accessed 16 Jul 2023).
Albert Van Matre death-The Republican-Register, Aurora, Nebraska,Friday, August 31, 1906, retrieved from newspapers.com at https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-republican-register-notice-of-death/128331638/ (Accessed 16 Jul 2023).
Van Matre-Cade Marriage, Iowa County Democrat, Mineral Point, Wisconsin, Friday, December 19, 1890 retrieved from newspapers.com at https://www.newspapers.com/article/iowa-county-democrat-van-matre-cade-ma/128443363/ (Accessed 18 July 2023).
Morris Van Matre Sale, Iowa County Democrat, 25 Feb 1915, Thursdaoy, page 2 retrieved from newspapers.com at https://www.newspapers.com/article/iowa-county-democrat/128444719/ (Accessed 18 July 2023).
Morris Van Matre death, Wisconsin State Journal, Madison, Wisconsin, Saturday, March 5, 1955, retrieved from newspapsers.com at https://www.newspapers.com/article/wisconsin-state-journal/128447283/ (Accessed 18 Jul 2023).
Morris Van Matre Obituary, Grant County Herald, Lancaster, Wisconsin, Wednesday, March 9, 1955, retrieved from newspapers.com at https://www.newspapers.com/article/grant-county-herald/128446815/ (Accessed 18 July 2023).
Janesville Couple Wed 60 Years, Janesville Daily Gazsette, Janesville, Wisconsin, Thursday, March 23, 1950, retrieved from newspapsers.com at https://www.newspapers.com/article/janesville-daily-gazette/128448359/ (Accessed 18 Jul 2023).
Clara (Noble) Van Matre-picture posted to ancestry.com. Taken from a photo at her sisters wedding.

Disclosure:
The family Information was retrieved from a variety of family trees, webgens and family stories. I will note citations as appropriate and hope the information assists you in your research, but please do not use this as proven evidence. Feedback is welcome!