Maturin M. Reading (1852-1922)

READING

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 4/15/2023 at 18:09:18

Maturin M. Reading
(December 22, 1852 - March 22, 1922)

Maturin M. Reading is a representative of one of the most prominent pioneer families of Calhoun County. The name is inseparably connected with its history and one of the townships has been called in honor of the father of our subject. From a very early epoch in the development and improvement of this part of the state the Readings
have been associated with the work of up building and have been important factors in promoting public progress along many lines of general good. Maturin M. Reading is today a most enterprising and honored citizen, well deserving mention in this volume. He was born in Sycamore, DeKalb County, Illinois, December 22, 1852, his parents being Charles H. and Eliza A. (Horning) Reading. The father was born in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, February 20, 1823, and the mother's birth occurred in Wyoming County, New York, November 23, 1824. The family is of English lineage and was early established in Pennsylvania, while representatives of the name attained positions of distinction in connection with political affairs. One member was a territorial governor of New Jersey and many of the name still reside in that state and in the Keystone state. William Henry Reading was one of the early settlers of Bucks County, Pennsylvania, and with its pioneer development was closely associated. Charles H. Reading was a young man when he left Pennsylvania, being then but twenty years of age. He worked his way to Chicago, locating in the western metropolis when it was but a small village. A blacksmith by trade, he followed that pursuit in various places. After residing in Chicago for a short time he secured employment with the Lake Superior Mining Company, and was in British America for eight months. On the expiration of that period he returned to Chicago and subsequently removed to Sycamore, Illinois, where he resided for a number of years. He has traveled extensively, visiting many parts of the country, including the pine regions of New England and the vast mountain district of the far west. Mr. Reading was married, November 15, 1845, in Sycamore, Illinois, and for twelve years maintained his residence in that place, coming to Iowa in 1861. He located first in Jefferson, this state, having the year previous purchased the old home farm, where he remained for ten years, following the blacksmith's trade and also engaged in merchandising. In 1870 he took up his abode upon his farm in Reading Township, Calhoun County, and being the first settler of the district, the township was named in his honor. The nearest trading place was Jefferson and the town of Gowrie was founded that summer and Manson sprung up in the north. The traveler today seeing the thriving villages and cities and the well kept farm, can scarcely realize that one-third of a century ago this was almost entirely in its primitive condition. Deer were frequently killed within the borders of the county. Wolves made the nights hideous with their howling and wild fowls of all kinds were very numerous, many of them supplying the pioneers with meat. The crops were frequently destroyed by cranes, ducks and geese, so numerous were these birds. The old homestead farm comprises three hundred and sixty acres and the pioneer family residence is still standing there. Charles H. Reading resided upon his claim until 1876, when he removed to Gowrie, where he maintained his residence for about eighteen years. He now resides in Benton County, Arkansas, and is living retired in the enjoyment of a well earned rest. His wife died while visiting the old homestead claim, in May, 1900. This worthy couple was widely known and honored by the pioneer settlers. They were the parents of two children, who are yet living — Edwin A., a resident of Benton County, Arkansas, and Maturin M., of this review. The father served as mayor of Gowrie for a number of years, and during his administration the city made marked advancement along many lines of improvements. He was also justice of the peace and ever discharged his duties with promptness and fidelity, winning the high commendation of all concerned. His political support is given to the Republican party, of which he has been an adherent since its organization. In religion he is a Baptist, and his life has ever been in harmony with his Christian principles.
Maturin M. Reading came to Iowa when a young man and in the schools of Jefferson obtained his education. Throughout his life he has carried on agricultural pursuits, and he purchased the old homestead of which he has had charge since 1876. Many of the
improvements which are found thereon today stand as monuments of his enterprise. He owns all together three hundred and sixty acres of rich land and about one hundred acres is planted with small grain, while an equal amount is comprised within his pastures and meadow. He successfully carries on farming and stock-raising, keeping about
eighty head of short-horn cattle of a high grade. On the 23rd of December 1874 Mr. Reading was united in marriage to Miss Sarah F. Smith, who was born in Homer, New York, November 5, 1852, a daughter of Marvin W. and Hannah (Johnson) Smith, both of whom were natives of New York, the father born September 2, 1819 and the mother March 15, 1822. Mr. Smith followed farming in his later years. In 1869 he came to town, settling near Jefferson, where he purchased a tract of wild land and upon the prairie developed a rich farm. His death occurred on his homestead December 5, 1883, but his widow still survives him. They had two children, the son being George E., who resided on the old farm place. Mr. Smith belonged to the Baptist church and his Christian faith was manifested in his honorable life. The platform and principles of the Republican party received his endorsement and to the party he ever gave his earnest support, although he never sought or desired office. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Reading has been blessed with four children: Ada M., who was born March 12, 1876, in Greene County. Iowa, is the wife of Wilbur Ferguson; Maude I., born February 12, 1878, is the wife of L. R. Fitz and has three children: Dale, Dean and Grace; Charles M., born November 29, 1879, is now pursuing a course in electrical engineering in the Iowa State College; Henry W., born March 23, 1887, completes the family. With the exception of the eldest child all were born on the old family homestead. Mr. Reading has held various offices to which he has been called by his fellow townsmen, who recognize his worth and ability. He has been school director, school secretary and treasurer, and has filled the last named position for twenty years, while for
thirty years he has been the director of the schools. The cause of education found in him a warm friend, and he does all in his
power to promote the efficiency of the instruction received in his district, realizing how valuable is education as a preparation for life's work. He votes with the Republican party and holds membership in the Odd Fellows Lodge and in the Baptist church. He assisted in the organization of his township and is today the oldest citizen residing within its borders. His life history, if given in detail, would practically be a review of the annals of the township, for he has been most closely associated with all its progress and improvements. He is a man of strong character, of marked individuality, and at all times has been loyal to truth and justice. [Source - Biographical Record of Calhoun County, Iowa, by S. J. Clarke, 1902, p.520]