BIO: John MATTERN, Centre County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by JRB Copyright 2009. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/centre/ http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/centre/1picts/commbios/comm-bios.htm _____________________________________________________________________ Commemorative Biographical Record of Central Pennsylvania: Including the Counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion: Containing Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens, Etc. Chicago: J. H. Beers, 1898. _____________________________________________________________________ JOHN MATTERN (deceased), formerly of Centre county. The Mattern family in America sprang from Peter Mattern (formerly spelled Matthorn), who was a native of the Valley of the Rhine, born near the Matterhorn, one of the Swiss mountains, or Pennine Alps, Canton Valais. About the year 1750 Peter Mattern and his wife came to America and settled in the State of Maryland, where nine children were born tothem. In 1779 three of the family - Jacob, David and George - moved into the Spruce Creek Valley (now Huntingdon county), Penn., where for 117 years the homestead has remained in the possession of the descendants of the patriarch of the now numerous family. In the cemetery of the old Lutheran Church at the Seven Stars, which is part of the old homestead, George Mat-tern and his wife lie buried, and around them many of their posterity sleep their last sleep. John Mattern, who was the great-grandson of the emigrant, Peter (1), and the son of George (2) and Catherine (Hiskel), was born on the old farm of his father in Franklin township, Huntingdon county, March 26, 1794. In 1828 he located in Centre county, and eight years before, in November, 1820, was married to Mary, daughter of John Gray and Catherine (Hartsook), of Patton township. The Hartsook and Gray families were the first settlers of the township, coming from Frederick county, Md., to what was known as the Half Moon country. Mr. Mattern purchased from his father-in-law a tract of 300 acres of land lying one mile south of the present village of Matternville, where he made his home for nearly fifty years, dying there September 30, 1877, in the eighty-fourth year of his age. He was a good citizen, a kind neighbor, and a successful farmer. His good wife, whose birth occurred August 12, 1800, passed away at the old homestead, June 7, 1888, in her eighty-eighth year; she was an affectionate wife and mother, and her many deeds of kindness will long be remembered and cherished by her many friends. Both led exemplary lives, and were devout Christian people. Their remains rest in the Gray graveyard in the western part of Patton township. The children of this couple were: Catherine married Martin Shaunk, and is now a resident of Huntingdon county, Penn.; Samuel is a resident of Half Moon township; Elizabeth is the wife of Joseph Kreider; John B. died July 7, 1896, in his sixty-sixth year; George; Jacob G.; David and Miles. It is worthy of note that not one of the six sons mentioned has ever used tobacco in any form; all have followed agricultural pursuits chiefly, and have dwelt in the same neighborhood from boyhood. They are capable business men and the most successful of farmers; at one time they possessed an aggregate of 2,013 acres of land, which was the result of years of toil, economy and judicious management. They are all upright and honorable men, and are among the best of Centre county's citizens. All adhere to the religious faith of their forefathers - that of the M. E. Church - and all are Republicans in politics. COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 361 GEORGE MATTERN was born December 11, 1832, and when about twenty-two years of age went to live with his older brother, Samuel, with whom he remained some two years and a half. On February 3, 1859, he was married and located on his present farm of nearly 400 acres. His wife was Lydia, daughter of David Shivery and Ellen (Moore) Shivery, pioneers of that part of Centre county, born in July, 1831. The children of George Mattern and wife were: Mary E., David B., John H. (deceased), Clara B. (deceased), and George S. Mr. Mattern has been afflicted with rheumatism for many years, since 1881 has not been able to walk at all, and for nine years past has been confined to his bed. JACOB G. MATTERN was born on the homestead farm February 5, 1835. He worked on the farm during the summer, and in the winters attended the neighborhood school at Stony Point. Subsequently it was his privilege to attend for a short time the old seminary at Warrior's Mark, in Huntingdon county, under the principalship of Ebenezer Smith. Later he was engaged in school teaching, having been examined for the profession by a Mr. Gibson, the first to hold the position of county superintendent of schools of Centre county. In 1863, in connection with his brother, John B., he purchased the old Gray foundry at Matternville, and in 1867, in addition to carrying on the foundry business, they built a store-house and engaged in merchandising. This building was destroyed by fire, was immediately rebuilt, but again burned in 1873; the building was replaced and occupied until the death of John B., in 1896, Jacob having withdrawn, however, from the partnership, in 1879. Since the latter year Mr. Mattern has given his entire attention to farming. In 1867 he was married to Eleanor Wasson, daughter of John and Mary (Jack) Wasson, of College township. They have had no children of their own, but have reared several; one, named Gertrude, an adopted daughter, whom they took at the age of three years, married W. H. Smull, of Rebersburg, and died September 1, 1889, leaving one child, Jacob Henry; they reared another by the name of Ruth, and one, Eleanor H., is still living; they are also now caring for Albert S., whom they took from the Children's' Home. Mr. Mattern is genial and whole-souled, being one of those jovial, sunny- dispositioned men, who will greet you with a word of good cheer, his face wearing a kindly expression and smile for all. The Wassons were early settlers of Harris township. John Wasson, a carpenter by trade, came from Chester county, Penn., and settled in Boalsburg, in 1810. He married a daughter of Michael Jack, in 1814. In 1825 he removed from Boalsburg to near where Lemont now is, where, in 1857, his death occurred; his wife died at the same place eight years later. They had seven children, of whom Mrs. Mattern was one, her birth occurring in April, 1834. Michael Jack came from Lancaster county, Penn., to the vicinity of Boalsburg about 1789, where he purchased land of Reuben Haines. He was a soldier of the Revolution. DAVID MATTERN was born March 6, 1838, and lived on the old home farm until not quite twenty-one years of age, when he went to live with his eldest brother, Samuel, with whom he remained some five years. He then returned home, and there remained until married, which event occurred April 16, 1867, his wife being Mary Way, daughter of John and Mary (Moore) Way; both the Moore and Way families were early settlers of that locality. After his marriage he located on his present farm. Two children, Anna B. (married) and Mary M., were born to this union. The mother of these died December 30, 1869, and on October 10, 1872, Mr. Mattern married Anna Leitzell, a daughter of Samuel Leitzell, and their children are: Emma, Benera W., Miles F., Ozula and Sarah E. Mr. and Mrs. Mattern are members of the Gray's M. E. Church, in which the former is a class leader, and has been for a number of years. Mr. Mattern is one of the industrious and substantial men of his township. MILES MATTERN was born in 1841, in the house in which he now resides. He, too, attended the old Stony Point school house, his first teacher being the present Squire Samuel T. Gray, of Patton township. With little exception he has resided continuously where he now lives, engaged chiefly in agricultural pursuits. In 1867 he was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Leitzell, a daughter of Samuel and Margaret Leitzell, who were married here in Centre county in 1832. The Leitzells were from Germany, Mrs. Mattern being one of the third generation in this country. She was born in Centre county in 1843. Her father came here from Snyder county, Penn. Mr. and Mrs. Mattern have no children of their own, but have furnished a home for and reared several, namely: Eva Leitzell, now married; John Clapper, Frank L. Cole, and Sadie Cross, the latter of whom, a girl of ten years, is now with them.