My Genealogy Hound

Nathaniel W. Matlock was born September 25, 1828, in Overton County, Tenn., his parents being Valentine and Mary (Bassett) Matlock. The father was born in Tennessee February 27, 1786, and the mother was born in the same State January 3, 1790. In 1839 they left their native State, traveling to Franklin County, Ark., by wagon. In 1840 they immigrated to Crawford County, Ark., where they lived until their respective deaths in 1868 and 1862. Mr. Matlock served in the Creek War, and was sheriff of Overton County, Tenn., for eighteen years. By occupation he was a farmer. Of his five children but two are living. Nathaniel W. Matlock is of English descent, and was but thirteen years old when he accompanied his parents to Arkansas, which was then unpopulated and in a wild state. His educational advantages were thus meager, and at the age of twenty-two he began life on his own account. November 6, 1873, he married Miss Rachel Mooney, who was born in this county in 1842, and is a daughter of William and Mary (Crawford) Mooney. Her father was born in North Carolina, and died in 1878. Her mother died in 1844. The following are their children who are still living: Mrs. Mary Shepherd, of Oregon; Mrs. Rebecca Baker, of Crawford County; George Mooney, of this county; Joel H. Mooney, of this county and Mrs. Rachel Matlock. To Mr. and Mrs. Matlock seven children have been born, all of whom reside with their parents: Rebecca Lee, Harriet Lacy, William H., Rufus M., Charles M., George Franklin and Mary. In 1861 Mr. Matlock enlisted in the Frontier Guards, Confederate Army, under Col. Grashett and Capt. Brown, and served until the close of the war, participating in the following battles: Oak Hill, Honey Springs, Ind. T., Prairieville, Ind. T.. Mr. Matlock is a successful farmer, owning 160 acres of land, forty of which he cultivates, and is also interested in stock raising. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and belongs to the Masonic fraternity. In politics he is a Democrat, and his first presidential vote was cast for Pierce in 1852.