Parsons, Col. William and Shiach, W. S. "An Illustrated History of Umatilla County and of Morrow County." Spokane, WA: W. H. Lever, 1902. p. 541. THOMAS J. MATLOCK The gentleman whose name initiates this paragraph is one of Morrow county's prominent men and influential citizens, whose faithful endeavors in this region, even before our county seat had existence as a village and long before Morrow county was thought of as a separate organization, were fraught with energy and enterprise, being crowned with success commensurate with the wisdom and effort put forth, while his labors for the welfare of the county and the advancement of the public good have ever been directed by a broad mind and public spirit and have won the approbation of his fellows, being accompanied with the manifestation of uprightness of character and worth in principle that stamp him the honorable man and capable and substantial citizen. Thomas J. was born in Dade county, Missouri, on March 4, 1849, being the son of Edward L. and Susan C. Matlock, who crossed the plains with ox teams in 1853, settling near Eugene in Lane county. Our subject came to where Heppner now stands in 1871, after having received his educational training in the schools of Lane county, fitting himself there for the battle of life, having also received the healthful and invigorating drill of assisting in tilling his father's farm until the date mentioned. His first venture here was raising stock, having brought a bunch to Butter creek, but soon he added wool growing, which has continued to be his principle business since. He handles about three thousand stock sheep, keeping his bands well sold down, and owns five hundred acres of land. He has also one hundred head of fine thorough bred trotting and running horses, and although he does not travel the race circuit since the death of his son eight years ago, he has some excellent animals, among which may be mentioned Alta, Lizzie M., Umatilla and Nellie M., all likely mares. He also owned Albicor, a stallion that died in the spring of 1901. He also owned Reppeta, the fastest running mare in Oregon, her time being 1:40 on a mile course in a regular race. This stock is raised for sale and he enjoys a good patronage. He also has considerable real estate in Heppner. The marriage of Mr. Matlock and Mrs. Mary E. Larkins, nee Keeney, a native of Missouri and the daughter of Eli and Elizabeth Keeney, was celebrated in Eugene. They have become the parents of the following children: S. Elizabeth, Horace J., Benjamin F., Nora E., Puanita, all being at home but Horace, who is married and in business in Heppner; and one deceased, James L. The family affiliate with the Episcopalian church of Heppner, while Mr. Matlock is also a member of the F. & A. M. Heppner Lodge, No. 69, and of the A. O. U. W., Whitman Lodge, of Heppner. During the Bannock war he staid with his flocks and succeeded in saving them all, although they were pursued at times by the savages. Casswell J., the brother of our subject, was all through the Rogue River wars and his brother, Edward L., deceased, was sheriff of the county for two terms, and although Democratic in politics and the county Republican, he was overwhelmingly elected both times, being a very popular citizen, who was universally mourned at his death. Transcriber's additional notes: 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 - June 14; Lane Co, MO; Eugene Pct, page 473 S. C. Matlock, 55, f, w, TN, keeping house, 2000 / 300 Thomas, 21, m, w, MO, (none), 250 pers prop. 1880 - June 8; Umatilla Co, OR; Upper Butter Creek, page 88 Thomas J. Matlock, 31, MO, TN, TN, farmer Mary E, wife, 31, MO, MO, MO, keeping house Susannah, mother, 64, TN, NC, NC,Wd Susannah E, dau, 8, OR, MO, MO James L, son, 6, OR, MO, MO Horace J, son, 4, Or, MO, MO Benjamin F, son, 1, OR, MO, MO 1900 - June 9; Morrow Co, OR; Heppner, page 285 Thos. Matlock, 51, March 1849, MO, TN, TN, mar 29 yrs, no occ. listed Mary, wife, 51, Feb 1849, MO, MO, MD Elizabeth, dau, 28, May 1872, OR, MO, MO, single Ben F, son, 21, Oct 1879, OR, MO, MO, single Nora E, dau, 15, June 1885, OR, MO, MO, att. school Henrietta, dau, 11, May 1889, OR, MO, MO, att. school 1920 - Jan. 17; Morrow Co, OR; Heppner, Gentry Pct, page 275 T. J. Matlock, 71, MO, NC, NC, farmer, stock farm Ida L, wife, 50, OR, IN, IA OR Death Index: Thomas J. Matlock, died May 3, 1923; Portland (Multnomah Co) cert. # 1164 ******************* Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in August 2005 by Diana Smith. Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.