MATLACK, Enoch

MATLACK

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 5/31/2021 at 13:27:03

Enoch Matlack
born Feb 17, 1825

Enoch Matlack, a farmer of section 32, Logan Township, Ida County, was born in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, February 17, 1825, a son of Reuben and Orpha (Thomas) Matlack, natives also of that county. The father was a cabinet-maker by trade, later a farmer; in an early day he went to Chester County, Pennsylvania, afterward went South, where he died many years ago. The mother died at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, in 1856. Mr. Matlack’s ancestors were Quakers, and came to this country with William Penn. They brought over a clock which is now in the possession of the subject of this sketch, and is still in running order; it bears the name of Mr. Matlack’s grandfather across the face. General Scott was a relative of the family. On the father’s side the family was of English descent, and settled in Pennsylvania in the days of William Penn. On the mother’s side the family they are of Welsh descent. Mr. and Mrs. Reuben Matlack had eight children, two now living: Enoch and Isaiah Jackson, of Ida County. Enoch Matlack, the eldest child, was reared and educated in Chester County, Pennsylvania, where he also learned the trade of a tanner, following the same at Hummelstown, that State. He was next engaged in the grocery business at Harrisburg two years, and then, in 1879, purchased his present farm of 160 acres in Logan township, Ida County, Iowa. He has since improved his place, erected a good one and a half story residence, 28 x32 feet, a fine barn, 48 x 30 feet, and has all other necessary farm implements. Mr. Matlack’s farm is well watered and adapted for stock-raising, in which he is extensively engaged. He takes an active interest in politics, voting first with the Whig party, and has been identified with the Republican Party since its organization.
Our subject was first married at Middletown, Pennsylvania, in 1851, to Sophia B. Rife, a native of that State, and a daughter of Jacob and Mary (Bombarger) Rife, natives also of Pennsylvania., and of German descent. To this union were born nine children, five now living: Jacob, married and resides in Logan township. He and his wife, Mary, have nine children: Clara V., Walter H., Sophia R., George K., Jennie L., Franklin R., Ralph E., Jacob R., Mary A. and Roscoe E.; Joseph, unmarried, lives in Ida county; Walter, at home; Mary, at home; and Clara, wife of Samuel Long, of York, Pennsylvania, in 1871, to Mrs. Sarah A. Kesler, nee Franer, who was born in that State. Her death occurred at Harrisburg in 1880. Mr. Matlack takes an active interest in church work. He has witnessed nearly the full growth of Logan Township, and has always been one of its honored and respected citizens.
Source: Biographical History of Crawford, Ida, and Sac Counties, Iowa, 1893, p.400