My Genealogy Hound

William Mattox is the owner of the beautiful Evergreen farm on section 16, Dodge township. No history of this county would be complete without extended mention of Mr. Mattox, who for almost sixty years has made his home in Iowa, dating his residence in Union county from 1875 and upon his present farm since 1888. When he came to Dodge township he made selection of a tract of prairie for a farm which he could improve and develop entirely. He wished to carry out his own ideas concerning the making of a beautiful home and this he has done, setting out hundreds of cedar and evergreen trees and in their midst building a magnificent country residence. He has also planted many fruit and shade trees and where once was the wild, treeless prairie is now seen a farm upon which are splendid specimens of the pines that originally came from the northern woods, together with many deciduous trees which add attractive shade in the summer. Altogether his farm is regarded as one of the finest in this part of the state, giving every evidence in its well kept appearance of his careful supervision, his practical ideas and his progressive methods.

Mr. Mattox was only about ten years of age when he arrived in Iowa. He was born November 1, 1839, in West Virginia, a son of Edward Mattox, who was a native of Kentucky but was reared in West Virginia, where he learned and followed the cooper’s trade. In that state he married Edith Parsons, a native of West Virginia, and they became the parents of ten children, of whom William was the third in order of birth. On the 20th of March, 1849, the father arrived with his family in Van Buren county, Iowa, where he died, at the age of sixty-five years, after having been closely associated with the pioneer development of the region in which he established his home. His wife died in 1863, at the age of forty-five, when their son William was absent at the front during the Civil war.

William Mattox was largely reared in Van Buren and Lee counties, of this state, and prior to the outbreak of hostilities he watched with interest the progress of events in the south, resolving to strike a blow for the preservation of the Union if an attempt was made toward accomplishing its over throw. Accordingly, during the early period of the Civil war he joined Company C, of the Twenty-fifth Iowa Volunteer Infantry and with the regiment proceeded from Mount Pleasant, Iowa, to Helena, Arkansas. The first engagement in which he participated was at Vicksburg. He was with Grant’s army in the west and later was with Sherman on the march to the sea and entered all of the battles which occurred as that intrepid general from Ohio led his forces across the country to the sea coast, proving that the southern confederacy largely resembled an empty shell, having drawn the troops from the interior to defend the border. When Lee had surrendered and terms of peace had been declared, Mr. Mattox with his command was honorably discharged and mustered out at Davenport, Iowa, June 20, 1865.

The country no longer needing his aid, Mr. Mattox returned home and for a brief period assisted his father, after which he went to the city of Burlington and worked in the lumber business and in the sawmills, where he remained until 1875. In that year he came to Union county, where he established his home and has since been located. He had been married on the 20th of March, 1871, to Miss Nancy Jane Clark, a native of Ohio, who was reared, however, in Des Moines county, Iowa, near Burlington. Her father, William Clark, was a native of North Carolina. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Mattox three children were born but Arthur died in 1876, when a year old. John is on the home place with his father. Walter wedded Mary Clough, a daughter of John Clough, of Arispe, Iowa, and they have five children: Marshall, Arrow, Grace, John and Edna. Walter Mattox also resides upon his father’s place, occupying the second dwelling which has been built thereon.

At the time of the removal to Union county Mr. Mattox took up his abode in Sand Creek township, where he purchased one hundred and twenty acres of land. This he began to cultivate and improve, making it his home until 1888. In that year he established his home on section 16, Dodge township, and began the development of the farm. His first purchase here made him owner of one hundred and sixty acres and at two different times he has purchased eighty acres, so that he now owns an entire half section. The place was a tract of wild prairie when it came into his possession. He has set out every tree and bush on the farm, his fine orchard, much small fruit and his beautiful forest of evergreens. He erected a commodious and substantial residence, also outbuildings, and in fact has two sets of improvements upon the place. He raises cattle, Poland China hogs and high grade horses, and his business interests are carried along so practically that they bring to him a good financial return annually, so that he has long since been numbered among the prosperous agriculturists of the community.

Since proudly casting his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln, Mr. Mattox has been a life-long republican, never missing a presidential election. He has always kept well informed on the questions and issues of the day and is interested in the welfare and growth of his party, yet has never sought nor desired office for himself. He belongs to the Grand Army Post at Afton and attends the Baptist church. He is a splendid type of the Iowan, for almost his entire life has been passed here, and the spirit of determination and energy which enabled the early settlers to conquer the hardships and difficulties of pioneer life has been manifest throughout his entire career, making him a prosperous agriculturist, while in all of his relations with his fellowmen he has displayed reliability, deference for the opinions of others, and a cordiality of manner which have gained for him many friends.