HON. JOSEPH DE WITT MATLOCK - From Oregon Historical Society, Chapman Pub. Co. Chicago, 1903
HON. JOSEPH DE WITT MATLOCK. Born in Benton County, Tn. March 8, 1839, the son of Edward Lane Matlock ( I have been sent 2 or 3 lists which includes Joseph D. as son of Caswell and Polly Merrick Matlock. It simply is not true so please correct your lists. JNA), a farmer in that locality, who emigrated from his native state of Georgia (His native state was Tennessee. JNA). In the fall of 1839 the father removed to Dade County, Mo. where he served one term as county judge, and continued in his occupation of farming until his emigration to Oregon in 1853, where he settled near Goshen, Lane County, on a donation claim of 296 acres, to the improvement and cultivation of which he devoted the years until 1862. In the last named year he went to the Florence mines and the following year to the Boise Basin mines, in the latter becoming ill of lung fever and dying July 1, 1863, at the age of 46 years, having been born April 18, 1817. He had faithfully served as wagonrnaster in the Rogue River Indian War in 1855-56. His wife was formerly Susan C. Fry, a native of North Carolina, born December 3,1815, and died at Heppner, Oregon May 11, 1896. She was the mother of seven sons and one daughter, named in order of birth as follows: Caswell John, a rancher in Morrow County, Oregon who served in the Rogue River Indian War; J.D., of this review; James W., ex-sheriff of Morrow County, now residing in Eleppner; Edward Lane, who died in Heppner while Sheriff of the county; Wm. F., a capitalist of Pendleton, Ore. who served as state senator two terms and as major general of the Oregon National Guards; Thomas J., a rancher in Heppner; Benjamin F. who died in Morrow County; and-Sarah, who married Lee Greenwood and died in Eugene, Oregon.
The education of J.D. Matlock was received in Dade County, Mo., but was rather limited, though his father as one of the most public- spirited men of that community, had borne one-half of the expense of the school in their district. He was fourteen years old when the journey was made across the plains, the little company starting in April, 1.853, with oxteams and quite a large number of loose cattle, which this lad was compelled to drive, walking the entire distance. His father had, besides six or seven wagons. With no unusual occurrence the party followed the old Oregon trail until they reached Fort Boise, and from there they followed Meek's cut-off which led along the Malheur river to the big lakes, two weeks being consumed in coming around them, and also crossed the desert, where their supply of water was exhausted. They then crossed the Des Chutes river and came in on what is now the Military road, crossing the Willamette River nineteen different times before they arrived at Butte Disappointment, October 26, 1853. Mr. Matlock, as a boy, went upon his father's farm and there remained for several years. His desultory education was finished here, first with an attendance of the common school at Goshen, the Eugene high school, and he then entered Columbia College, which was burned, and he then entered the Cornelius high school, where he completed his education. In 1862 he went to the Florence mines, where he met with fair success, after which he returned to Lane County. There he was married, in the fall of 1862, to Elizabeth E. Rutledge, who was born November 8, 1844, in Illinois, and who came to Oregon in 1853. Mr. Matlock then located on a farm seven miles southeast of Eugene, where he bought 160 acres, upon which he farmed until his wife died in 1864. He then commenced teaching school, which occupation was continued for two years, during which time he was elected County Superintendent of public instruction, holding this position for one term. He then engaged in pork-packing and the general merchandise business in Pleasant Hill, Lane County, in which he remained for about twenty months, after which he again located on a farm, selecting 850 acres in the vicinity of Pleasant Hill, where he engaged in farming and stock-raising for fifteen years. He met with a most pleasing success in this work, and at the close of the 15 years he had accumulated a comfortable competency, whereupon he sold his property and removed to Eugene, becoming the owner of the merchandise stock of T.G. Hendricks in 1884. Two years later he erected on the corner of Willanette and eighth streets a handsome three-story building, to which his constantly increasing business was removed, and he here carried on the work until 1896., when he sold out and prepared to go to Alaska. January 1898 found him en route for the north, going first to Skagway and then engaging in business at Lake Bennett, British Columbia, where he continued successfully for two years. He then sold out and prepared to move his stock to Dawson, taking it down the Yukon River on flat boats. While en route he lost about $2,000 through the sinking of a boat during a storm, for, though he succeeded in raising it, the stock was almost worthless. In Dawson he once more opened up a general merchandise business, but remained only eighteen months, when he closed out the stock and returned to Eugene coming down the Yukon River to St. Michaels, then to Nome. Mr. Matlock now owns 500 acres located five miles from Eugene, which is devoted to the raising of stock, this land now being rented. For many years he was interested in the Eugene Lumber Company, acting as director for the company, and has but recently disposed of his interest in the business. Mr. Matlock has always taken an active part in public affairs, being broad-minded and earnest in his efforts for the best interests of the community. In 1874 he was elected to the state legislature on the Democratic ticket, of which party he is an adherent. For one term he was Mayor of Eugene, and was councilman for a period of ten years, now holding that office as a I representative of South Eugene, from the second ward. He is also chairman of the street commissioners and a member of the health commission. He is chairman of the Lane County Democratic central committee and a member of the First Congressional District Democratic Committee.
The second marriage of Mr. Matlock united him with Louisa Rutledge, who was born April 1, 1832, in Illinois, and is a half-sister of his first wife. Her death occurred in Eugene, July 17, 1891, after which he married Mrs. Sarah Durant, the widow of William Durant. She was born in Indiana, August 15, 1843 and came to Oregon in 1874.
Mr. Matlock is the father of twelve children: Elizabeth, Edis DeWitt, Caswell C., Lulu S., Louisa C., Bertha M., Mary M., Joseph Fry, Frankie and William (dec’d), Eugene and Hazel.
In his fraternal relations Mr. Matlock was made a Mason in Eugene Lodge No. 11. He is a member of the Christian Church.
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