Individual Details
Frederick "Fred" Matthiessen
(29 Dec 1856 - 11 May 1938)
Two More 80 Year Olds Join Our Columns
We continue our octogenarian series this week with accounts of the lives of Fred Matthiessen and John Behrends. Please remember that we will be glad to have word of any eighty year old whom we may not have reached.
FRED MATTHIESSEN
Genial Fred Matthiessen who will reach the eighty year old mark on the 29th of December, was born at Sugar Grove, Ill., in 1856. He came with his parents, J. F. Matthiessen and Anna Eiler, to Clinton, Iowa, while still a babe in arms, eventually settling on a farm outside of Monticello, when he was only three months old.
As was usually the practice among youngsters of the early days, Mr. Matthiessen started to work out on farms when he was only nine years old.
"There was always plenty to do," he said, "we didn't have time to do much playing or even to take much time out to go to school—people didn't think so much about education In those days."
Fire Fighting
He recalls fighting the prairie fires that used to sweep down on these early farmers from the west, usually started by someone's carelessness in handling a small grass or brush fire.
"I remember plowing furrows 20 feet wide for fire breaks, he recounted, "and then all the neighbors would get out with sacks and bags to help beat it out, too."
According to Mr. Matthiessen, the site of the present Monticello State bank was once a pond, one of the many in the neighborhood whereon the youngsters used to go skating.
Mr. Matthiessen continued to farm until Feb. 19, 1880, when he married Barbara Timpe. They farmed for two years before selling out and moving to town where Mr. Matthiessen worked around wherever he could. The country claimed Mr. Matthiesscn again, however, and he returned to the Curtis farm for three, years.
Implement Business
At the expiration of this time he came to Montlcello and with his brother John, started in the implement business. This continued to be his line of business for 25 years. It is his declaration that he sold one of the first cars in Monticello. As he remembers it was an Overland. He fully approves of present day cars but he doesn't like airplanes. "The going up wouldn't be so bad," he admitted, "but you can never be sure just how you are going to come down."
After retiring from the implement business, Mr. Matthiessen was employed in Zimmerman's clothing store.
"Keep Working"
"It doesn't pay to stop working," Mr. Matthiessen said firmly, "the fellow who lies around won't live very long—he'll get soft." The truth of this statement seems to have been borne out by Mr. Matthiessen's 79 years. He got into the habit of work as a boy and couldn't get out of it.
He has made a number of trips including visits to Montana, California and Washington.
Mr. Matthiessen has three, children, Mrs. Charles Butler of Cedar Rapids, Mrs. Horsch of Seattle. Wash., and Mrs. W. J. McFarlane of Chicago. Two grandchildren, Richard and Robert Thompson, live in St. Louis.
Three brothers. John and Jake, of Monticello, and George of Viola, and two sisters, Mrs. A. W. Adams of Monticello and Mrs. Gene Himebaugh of Oelwein, are all that remain of a once large, family of brothers and sisters.
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Married 57 Years, Record of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Matthiessen
They Were Married February 19, 1880, At The Timpe Home In Carroll County; Have Lived In Monticello 51 Years
Last Friday Mr. and Mrs. Fred Matthiessen of Monticello observed their 57th wedding anniversary. Ever since, they celebrated their 50th anniversary a group of friends have called upon them each year to help celebrate the event. A dozen such friends sat down to a noon lunch on Friday. Among the guests was Mrs. Charles Butler of Cedar Rapids, the oldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Matthiessen.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Matthiessen are enjoying reasonably good health, and it was a distinct pleasure, for them to entertain these guests at dinner.
Married in 1880
The marriage of this estimable couple occurred at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Timpe on a farm fourteen miles from Carroll. The minister was Rev. Rice Wood, pas tor of the Presbyterian church of Carroll. Following their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Matthiessen bought what was known as the Taylor farm four miles west of Monticello. They later lived on the Curtis farm a mile west of Monticello and 51 years ago, In 1886, they removed to Monticello where Mr. Matthiessen conducted an implement shop for twenty years.
They settled in their present home on West First street 35 years ago. Until a year ago Mr. Matthiessen assisted J. B. Zimmerman in his clothing store business. Three daughters were born to Mr and Mrs.. Matthiessen, viz, Mrs Charles Butler of Cedar Rapids, Mrs Burt Horsch of Seattle, Wash., and Mrs. Jennie Thompson of Chicago. They also have two grandchildren, Robert and Richard Thompson. One granddaughter, Helen Thompson died ten years ago.
Mr. Matthiessen was born at Dixon, Ill. , December 29, 1856, and settled in Wayne township in the spring of 1857. Mrs. Matthiessen, whose maiden name was Barbara M Timpe, was born December 19, 1857. Her birth occurred at Cresline, Ohio The family settled at Wheatland in 1868, and later removed to Carroll county.
There were fourteen children in the family of Jacob and Anna Matthiessen. Of this number in addition to Fred, the following are living: Jacob, Mrs. A. W. Adams, and John of Monticello, George of Viola, and Mrs. Eugene Himebaugh of Oelwein. There were nine children in the family of Jacob and Christina Timpe, parents of Mrs. Matthiessen. Those living are: Mrs. Anna Rettig of Whittier, Calif., Mrs. Matthiessen and Miss Sarah Timpe of Monticello, Mrs. Nora Chalmers of Rosemead, Calif., and Phillip of Spirit Lake. Seven years ago Mr. and Mrs. Matthiessen were honored by a large group of friends who called upon them to extend congratulations on their 50th wedding anniversary. The day was also the tenth wedding anniversary of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Butler of Cedar Rapids.
Mr. and Mrs. Matthiessen have a host of friends who will be pleased to learn of a celebration of their wedding anniversary.
We continue our octogenarian series this week with accounts of the lives of Fred Matthiessen and John Behrends. Please remember that we will be glad to have word of any eighty year old whom we may not have reached.
FRED MATTHIESSEN
Genial Fred Matthiessen who will reach the eighty year old mark on the 29th of December, was born at Sugar Grove, Ill., in 1856. He came with his parents, J. F. Matthiessen and Anna Eiler, to Clinton, Iowa, while still a babe in arms, eventually settling on a farm outside of Monticello, when he was only three months old.
As was usually the practice among youngsters of the early days, Mr. Matthiessen started to work out on farms when he was only nine years old.
"There was always plenty to do," he said, "we didn't have time to do much playing or even to take much time out to go to school—people didn't think so much about education In those days."
Fire Fighting
He recalls fighting the prairie fires that used to sweep down on these early farmers from the west, usually started by someone's carelessness in handling a small grass or brush fire.
"I remember plowing furrows 20 feet wide for fire breaks, he recounted, "and then all the neighbors would get out with sacks and bags to help beat it out, too."
According to Mr. Matthiessen, the site of the present Monticello State bank was once a pond, one of the many in the neighborhood whereon the youngsters used to go skating.
Mr. Matthiessen continued to farm until Feb. 19, 1880, when he married Barbara Timpe. They farmed for two years before selling out and moving to town where Mr. Matthiessen worked around wherever he could. The country claimed Mr. Matthiesscn again, however, and he returned to the Curtis farm for three, years.
Implement Business
At the expiration of this time he came to Montlcello and with his brother John, started in the implement business. This continued to be his line of business for 25 years. It is his declaration that he sold one of the first cars in Monticello. As he remembers it was an Overland. He fully approves of present day cars but he doesn't like airplanes. "The going up wouldn't be so bad," he admitted, "but you can never be sure just how you are going to come down."
After retiring from the implement business, Mr. Matthiessen was employed in Zimmerman's clothing store.
"Keep Working"
"It doesn't pay to stop working," Mr. Matthiessen said firmly, "the fellow who lies around won't live very long—he'll get soft." The truth of this statement seems to have been borne out by Mr. Matthiessen's 79 years. He got into the habit of work as a boy and couldn't get out of it.
He has made a number of trips including visits to Montana, California and Washington.
Mr. Matthiessen has three, children, Mrs. Charles Butler of Cedar Rapids, Mrs. Horsch of Seattle. Wash., and Mrs. W. J. McFarlane of Chicago. Two grandchildren, Richard and Robert Thompson, live in St. Louis.
Three brothers. John and Jake, of Monticello, and George of Viola, and two sisters, Mrs. A. W. Adams of Monticello and Mrs. Gene Himebaugh of Oelwein, are all that remain of a once large, family of brothers and sisters.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Married 57 Years, Record of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Matthiessen
They Were Married February 19, 1880, At The Timpe Home In Carroll County; Have Lived In Monticello 51 Years
Last Friday Mr. and Mrs. Fred Matthiessen of Monticello observed their 57th wedding anniversary. Ever since, they celebrated their 50th anniversary a group of friends have called upon them each year to help celebrate the event. A dozen such friends sat down to a noon lunch on Friday. Among the guests was Mrs. Charles Butler of Cedar Rapids, the oldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Matthiessen.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Matthiessen are enjoying reasonably good health, and it was a distinct pleasure, for them to entertain these guests at dinner.
Married in 1880
The marriage of this estimable couple occurred at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Timpe on a farm fourteen miles from Carroll. The minister was Rev. Rice Wood, pas tor of the Presbyterian church of Carroll. Following their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Matthiessen bought what was known as the Taylor farm four miles west of Monticello. They later lived on the Curtis farm a mile west of Monticello and 51 years ago, In 1886, they removed to Monticello where Mr. Matthiessen conducted an implement shop for twenty years.
They settled in their present home on West First street 35 years ago. Until a year ago Mr. Matthiessen assisted J. B. Zimmerman in his clothing store business. Three daughters were born to Mr and Mrs.. Matthiessen, viz, Mrs Charles Butler of Cedar Rapids, Mrs Burt Horsch of Seattle, Wash., and Mrs. Jennie Thompson of Chicago. They also have two grandchildren, Robert and Richard Thompson. One granddaughter, Helen Thompson died ten years ago.
Mr. Matthiessen was born at Dixon, Ill. , December 29, 1856, and settled in Wayne township in the spring of 1857. Mrs. Matthiessen, whose maiden name was Barbara M Timpe, was born December 19, 1857. Her birth occurred at Cresline, Ohio The family settled at Wheatland in 1868, and later removed to Carroll county.
There were fourteen children in the family of Jacob and Anna Matthiessen. Of this number in addition to Fred, the following are living: Jacob, Mrs. A. W. Adams, and John of Monticello, George of Viola, and Mrs. Eugene Himebaugh of Oelwein. There were nine children in the family of Jacob and Christina Timpe, parents of Mrs. Matthiessen. Those living are: Mrs. Anna Rettig of Whittier, Calif., Mrs. Matthiessen and Miss Sarah Timpe of Monticello, Mrs. Nora Chalmers of Rosemead, Calif., and Phillip of Spirit Lake. Seven years ago Mr. and Mrs. Matthiessen were honored by a large group of friends who called upon them to extend congratulations on their 50th wedding anniversary. The day was also the tenth wedding anniversary of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Butler of Cedar Rapids.
Mr. and Mrs. Matthiessen have a host of friends who will be pleased to learn of a celebration of their wedding anniversary.
Events
| Birth | 29 Dec 1856 | Sugar Grove, Kane, Illinois, United States |  | ||
| Marriage | 19 Feb 1880 | Jones, Iowa, United States - Barbara Margaret Timpe |  | | |
| Census (family) | 1885 | Monticello, Jones, Iowa, United States - Barbara Margaret Timpe | | | |
| Census (family) | 1895 | Monticello, Jones, Iowa, United States - Barbara Margaret Timpe | | | |
| Census (family) | 20 Jun 1900 | Monticello, Jones, Iowa, United States - Barbara Margaret Timpe | | | |
| Census (family) | 3 Jan 1920 | Monticello, Jones, Iowa, United States - Barbara Margaret Timpe | | | |
| Census (family) | 1925 | Monticello, Jones, Iowa, United States - Barbara Margaret Timpe | | | |
| Census (family) | 7 Apr 1930 | Monticello, Jones, Iowa, United States - Barbara Margaret Timpe | | | |
| Death | 11 May 1938 | Monticello, Jones, Iowa, United States | | |
Families
| Spouse | Barbara Margaret Timpe (1857 - 1952) |
| Child | Minnette F "Minnie" Matthiessen (1882 - ) |
| Child | Nellie May Matthiessen (1885 - ) |
| Child | Jennie E Matthiessen (1891 - ) |
| Father | Jacob Frederick Matthiessen (1825 - 1890) |
| Mother | Anna Elizabeth Gesine Eilers (1837 - 1906) |
| Sibling | Anton Matthiessen (1855 - 1935) |
| Sibling | Peter Matthiessen (1858 - 1922) |
| Sibling | Renck "Frank" Matthiessen (1860 - 1927) |
| Sibling | Jane Matthiessen (1862 - ) |
| Sibling | Jacob "Jake" Matthiessen (1864 - 1943) |
| Sibling | Lydia Matthiessen (1866 - 1943) |
| Sibling | Anna Matthiessen (1867 - 1952) |
| Sibling | Gerhard O "Garret / Gerry" Matthiessen (1870 - 1901) |
| Sibling | John Matthiessen (1871 - 1956) |
| Sibling | George Matthiessen (1873 - 1960) |
| Sibling | Emma P Matthiessen (1875 - 1908) |
| Sibling | Maria C "Mary" Matthiessen (1877 - 1905) |
| Sibling | Hans Matthiessen (1878 - 1909) |
Notes
Marriage
Event Type: Intended MarriageEvent Date: 13 Feb 1880
Census (family)
21 104 105 Matthiessen Fred 86 3 29 NE NE 28 M M Farmer IL F F Militia, Voter22 Matthiessen Barbara 27 F M Keeping House OH N F
23 Matthiessen Minnie 2 F Jones Co., IA N N
24 Sullivan James 26 M S Farm Hand Jones Co., IA F F Militia, Voter
25 Timpe Lena 18 F S House Keeper OH N F
Census (family)
29 31 31 Mathiessen Fred 38 M M Ill N F Implent Dealer none30 Mathiessen Barbery M 37 F M Ohio N F Ger Ref
31 Mathiessen Minnie F 11 F S Jones Iowa N N "
1 Mathiessen Nellie 9 F S Jones Iowa N N Ger Ref
2 Mathiessen Jennie 3 " " " " " "
Census (family)
Mathiessen, Fred, Head, WM, Dec 1856, 43, Married 20 yrs, Illinois, Germany Germany, ??Barbary, Wife, WF, Sept 1857, 42, M-20, 3 children born & living, Ohio Ohio, Germany
Minnie, Daughter, WF, July 1882, 17, single, Iowa, Illinois, Ohio, at school
Nellie, Daughter, WF, Apr 1885, 15, single, Iowa, Illinois, Ohio, at school
Jennie, Daughter, WF, July 1891, 8, single, Iowa, Illinois, Ohio, at school
Census (family)
First StreetMatthiessen, Fred Sr, Head, Own Free, MW 63, Married, IL Holstein Germany Germany, none
Barbara M, Wife, FW, 62, married, OH OH Germany
Minnie T, Daughter, FW, 37, single,
Thompson, Helen, Granddaughter, FW, 8, single, IA IA IA
" Robert, Grandson, FM, 7, single, IA IA IA
" Richard, Grandson, FM, 2 5/12, single, IA IA IA
Census (family)
61 MATTHIESSEN FRED SR 68 IL H MATTIESSEN, FREDERICK GER EILER, ANNA GER IA62 MATTHIESSEN BARBARA M 66 OH W TIMPE, JACOB OH MAUL, CHRISTENA GER OH
63 THOMPSON HELEN I 13 IA H THOMPSON, FRANK 40 IA MATTHIESSEN, JENNIE 32 IA IA
63 THOMPSON HELEN I 13 IA GD THOMPSON, FRANK 40 IA MATTHIESSEN, JENNIE IA IA
64 THOMPSON BOB 12 IA BR IA
64 THOMPSON BOB 12 IA GS IA
65 THOMPSON RICHARD 7 IA BR IA
65 THOMPSON RICHARD 7 IA GS IA
Census (family)
322 W First StreetMatthiessen, Fred Sr, Head, Own $8000, MW 73, Married at 23, IL Germ Germ, none
Barbara, Wife, FW 72, Married at 22, OH OH Germ
Death
Fred Matthiessen Answered Final Summons Last EveningThe death of Fred Matthiessen one of Monticello's respected and old time citizens, occurred at his home on West First street last evening at 10:30 o'clock; He had been in failing health for a period of two years due to the infirmities attendant upon advancing age. His death comes as a decided shock to the family and a host of friends.
Mr. Matthiessen had been a res ident of Monticello for 52 yean. Previous to that time he had engaged in farming in the vicinity of Monticello. When he came to Monticello he engaged in the sale of farm implements and conducted such a store for twenty years. After he sold that business he assisted as a salesman to the John B. Zimmerman clothing store. He continued this work until only a few years ago. Native of Illinois
Mr. Matthiessen was born at Dixon, Ill. , Dec. 28, 1856. His parents were Jacob and Anna Matthiessen The family came to Iowa in the spring of 1857 and settled on a farm In Wayne township. Fourteen children were in the Matthiessen family, nine sons and four daughters. Those surviving are, Jacob and Mrs. A. W. Adams of Monticello, John of Lovell township George of Viola, and Mrs. Eugene Himebaugh of Oelwein. During his youth Mr. Matthiessen assisted his father on the farm until his marriage.
Mr. Matthiessen was married to Barbara M. Timpe, a native of Ohio. The marriage took place Feb. 19, 1880, on a farm 14 miles from Carroll. It was performed by Rev. Rice Wood, a Presbyterian minister. As heretofore stated, Mr. and Mrs. Matthiessen lived on farms hear Monticello before removing to this town in 1886.
Mr. and Mrs. Matthiessen became he parents of three daughters: Mrs Charles (Minnie) Butler of Cedar Rapids, Mrs. Bert (Nellie) Horsch of Seattle, Wash., and Mrs. Jennie McFarlene of Chicago. There are also two grandchildren, Robert and Richard Thompson of Kansas City, Missouri.
Mr. and Mrs. Matthiessen observed their fiftieth wedding anniversary Feb. 19, 1930. At that time many of their old friends called upon them to extend congratulations. The day was also the tenth anniversary of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Butler. Therefore Mr. and Mrs. Matthiessen had been married 58 years, which is indeed unusual. There are a host of old time friends who will be eager to offer words of condolence to Mrs. Matthiessen and her daughters.
Endnotes
1. Jones Co. Iowa Census, Jones Co. Iowa GenWeb online [http://iowajones.org/census/census.htm], accessed.
2. U.S. Census images. Heritage Quest Online. Subscription database through the Sonoma County Public Library. (ProQuest LLC, 2009.), 1900 census.
3. "Two More 80 Year Olds Join Our Columns," Monticello (Iowa) Express, 24 December 1936, John Behrends & Fred Matthiessen; Ross & Elizabeth Baty Public Library (http://batypl.newspaperarchive.com : accessed 15 February 2011), Newspaper Digital Archives.
4. Jones Co. Iowa marriage books, online.
BOOK D 1877-1884 :: BOOK E 1884-1891 :: BOOK F 1891-1898 (USGenWeb
5. 1885 State Census, Iowa, Jones Co. Ln=Line Number Dw=Dwelling number Fm=Family number Tw=Township Rn=Range Se=Section Loc=Location M=Marital status Fa=Father (Native/Foreign) Mo=Mother (Native/Foreign) (transcribed by Don Thomson for Rootsweb http://www.rootsweb.com/~iajones/census/85castle.htm 2002).
6. 1895 Iowa State Census. Castle Grove Township PAGES 44-67 + 931 Monticello Township PAGES 463-490 Monticello City PAGES 494-515, PAGES 516-537 Scotch Grove PAGES 753-776 (transcribed by Joanne Wilken http://www.rootsweb.com/~iajones/census/census.htm 2002).
7. U.S. Census images. Heritage Quest Online. Subscription database through the Sonoma County Public Library. (ProQuest LLC, 2009.), 1900 > IOWA > JONES > 3-WD MONTICELLO Series: T623 Roll: 440 Page: 139 .
8. U.S. Census images. Heritage Quest Online. Subscription database through the Sonoma County Public Library. (ProQuest LLC, 2009.), 1920 > IOWA > JONES > 1-WD; MONTICELLO; LOVELL Series: T625 Roll: 495 Page: 32.
9. Jones Co. Iowa Census, Jones Co. Iowa GenWeb online [http://iowajones.org/census/census.htm], accessed.
10. U.S. Census images. Heritage Quest Online. Subscription database through the Sonoma County Public Library. (ProQuest LLC, 2009.), 1930 > IOWA > JONES > MONTICELLO CITY TWP & MONTICEL Series: T626 Roll: 662 Page: 173.
11. "Fred Matthiessen Answered Final Summons Last Evening," Monticello (Iowa) Express, 12 May 1938; Ross & Elizabeth Baty Public Library (http://batypl.newspaperarchive.com : accessed 17 June 2011), Newspaper Digital Archives.