Carey, Charles Henry. "History of Oregon." Chicago-Portland: Pioneer Historical Pub. Co., 1922. Vol 3. p. 268. WILLIAM F. MATLOCK The death of William F. Matlock, which occurred on the 31st of August, 1914, was an occasion of deep grief to his many friends in Pendleton and throughout Umatilla county. For many years he had been a representative citizen of that place and he was one of the most successful and progressive business men in the community. William F. Matlock was born in Dane county, Missouri, April 20, 1847, a son of Lane and Mary Susan (Frie) Matlock. In 1853 he came across the plains with his parents, making the journey with ox teams, and settled in the Willamette valley, where his father took up a homestead. This homestead, located a few mile from Eugene, was successfully operated by his father for a number of years and on this place thoroughbred race horses were raised. He went to Boise, and engaged in mining, at which place his death occurred. The mother of William F. Matlock passed away at Heppner, Oregon, at her son's home. The boyhood of William F. Matlock was spent in Eugene, Oregon, where he was married and later moved to Umatilla county, settling near Athena. He had a large sheep ranch, always keeping about fifteen thousand sheep, which he later drove to Montana, and sold at Butte. For nine years he was actively engaged in the sheep business. When his children became of school age he rented out his sheep ranch and moved into Pendleton, so as to give his children the benefit of the town schools, and he purchased the property on which his widow now resides. He immediately became interested in the development and improvement of Pendleton and was soon a leading figure in business circles. He was one of the organizers of the old American National Bank and was also a stockholder and vice president of the First National Bank. During the mining boom in Alaska Mr. Matlock became interested and established supply stores in Skagway, Dawson, and Juneau. He was one of the largest shippers from Seattle, Washington, to these ports. He built breweries at Juneau and Skagway, and owned considerable mining property at Nome, which property is still in possession of the estate. The first hotel in Pendleton was built as the result of the cooperation of Mr. Matlock and other leading citizens, and he later bought out the stockholders and became sole proprietor of the hotel He acquired much valuable business property, being in possession of the opera house block, La Dow block, hotel block and the block adjoining the Bowman hotel. He was the principal owner of Association block and owned his large residence and garage. A man so successful in the business world as Mr. Matlock would naturally become widely known and he was chosen mayor of Pendleton five different times. He was elected the first time in 1888, reelected in 1903, again in 1905, 1911, and 1913. For two terms he represented Umatilla county in the lower house of the state legislature, and for twenty years he served on the state board of agriculture and was president of the board throughout that period. At one time he was compelled to resign from service on the board because of ill health, but he was reappointed by Governor Pennoyer. Like his father he was fond of thoroughbred race horses and was for many years a familiar figure on the Pacific coast turf. It was in 1909, while acting as president of the State Fair Board, that he was taken ill with typhoid fever, the disease leaving him in a crippled condition. His death, which occurred on the 31st of August, 1914, came as a severe shock to his many friends. In 1867, in Eugene, occurred the marriage of Mr. Matlock and Miss Ann Swaggert, daughter of Nels and Adaline (Harper) Swaggert. She was born in Carroll county, Illinois, and crossed the plains with her parents in 1853, making the journey with ox teams. Her mother drove the family carriage in which she and her three children slept. Mrs. Matlock's parents settled seven miles out of Eugene, her father acquiring a homestead of three hundred and twenty acres. For some years they resided there but later removed to Umatilla county, where Nels Swaggert purchased a fine farm of two hundred and sixty acres. Her parents both died in Pendleton. Mr. and Mrs. Matlock were the parents of two children: Nellie, now the wife of Mr. F. A. Latz of Pendleton; and Wesley N., whose death occurred June 7, 1920, at the age of forty-eight years. Wesley N. Matlock was prominent in the business and financial circles of Pendleton, being a director of the First National Bank, president of the Pendleton Hotel Company, president of the Building and Loan Association and president of the Pendleton Rubber and Supply Company. He was a member of the firm of Matlock and Latz, and in club circles was affiliated with the Rod and Gun Club. The education of Wesley Matlock was obtained in the Santa Rosa College in California, and he also took a course in Hills Business College at San Francisco. He was married and became the father of two children: Hazel, now Mrs. Wade Privett of Pendleton; and Lula, now Mrs. Emmett Easton, residing in Walla Walla, Washington. Mr. Matlock always gave his political allegiance to the democratic party. He was appointed by Governor Moody general of the Third Oregon Regiment of Infantry and reappointed by Governor Pennoyer. His widow is making her home in Pendleton and she is a highly respected citizen of the community. ---------- Transcriber's additional notes: In the above biography, Dade Co., MO. has been spelled as Dane Co., MO. CENSUS 1850 - Oct. 26; Dade Co, MO; Dist. 25, page 306 Edward L. Matlock, 33, TN, farmer Susan, 34, TN Caswell, 13, TN Joseph, 11, TN James, 8, MO Edward, 6, MO William, 3, MO Thomas, 1, MO one unamed, 2/12, male, MO 1860 - July 11; Lane Co, OR; Coast Fork Pct, page 243, Cottage Grove P.O. E. L. Matlock, 43, TN, farmer, 3000 / 3314 Susanna, 45, TN, housewife Caswell J, 23, TN, farmer Joseph, 21, TN, att. school James, 18, MO, farmer, att. school Edward, 15, MO, att. school Wm, 12, MO, att. school Thomas, 11, MO, att. school Benjamin, 10, MO, att. school Frank M, 7, MO, att. school 1870 - July 13; Umatilla Co, OR; Weston Pct, page 366 William Matlock, 21, MO, farmer Louisiana, 21, IL Nellie, 2, OR 1880 - July 13; Umatilla Co, OR; Pendleton, page 56 William Matlock, 33, MO, US, US, saloon keeper Anna, wife, 30, IL, IL, IL, keeping house Nellie, dau, 12, OR, MO, IL, att. school Wesley, son, 8, OR, MO, IL, att. school 1900 - June 15; Umatilla Co, OR; Pendleton Wd 2, page 181 William F. Matlock, 53, May 1847, MO, MO, ENG, mar 30 yrs, stock driver Anna, wife, 49, IL, IL, IL, mar 30 yrs, 2 children-2 living Nellie A, dau, 30, Jan 1870, OR, MO, IL, mar 8 yrs, 4 children-2 living Wesley N, son, 26, Nov 1873, OR, MO, IL, mar 5 yrs, dealer in livestock Harriet, dau in law, 26, Nov 1873, CA, CT, NY, mar 5 yrs, 2 children-2 living Hazel, gr dau, 4, Feb 1896, OR, OR, CA Lulu, gr dau, 1, Jan 1899, OR, OR, CA Pauline ------?, gr dau, ----, Nov 1894, OR, TN, OR Wesley ------?, gr son, ----, Oct 1897, OR, TN, OR 1910 - April 16; Multnomah Co, OR; Portland Pct 30, Wd 5, page 296, 360 14th st Fred Laatz, 35, IN, GER, GER, 1st mar, mar 6 yrs, clerk Nellie, wife, 35, OR, MO, IL, 2nd mar, mar 6 yrs, 2 children-2 lving William Matlock, father in law, 62, MO, US, TN, 1st mar, mar 43 yrs, president, bank Anna, mother in law, 59, IL, IL, US, 1st mar, mar 43 yrs 1920 - Umatilla Co, OR; Pendleton Wd 4, page 191; 819 Main st. (hotel) Ann Matlock, 70, Wd, IL, IL, IL OR Death Index: William F. Matlock, died Aug. 31, 1914; Umatilla Co. cert. # 2727 Ann Matlock, died Jan. 23, 1922; Umatilla Co. cert. # 23 ******************* Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in May 2005 by Diana Smith. Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.