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biography from Portrait & Biographical Album of Mahaska Co., Iowa, 1887
JOHN MATEER, one of the pioneers of Adams Township, Mahaska Co., Iowa, was born in Rockbridge County. Va., March 13, 1797, where he was reared to manhood by his grandparents, receiving such education as the common schools of that day afforded. He removed to Ripley County, Ind., in the year 1828, and in 1835 was married to Miss Susan Roberts, of that county, a daughter of John and Nancy Roberts. In the fall of 1848 they came to Mahaska County, locating in Adams Township, of which they were among the earliest settlers. He purchased a claim on which there was a little breaking done, and upon which a small cabin, 15x12 feet, had been erected, into which he moved his family, until he could build a more substantial and suitable home. The country was at that time wild and very sparsely settled, and their nearest neighbors were miles away. Their trading-point was at Oskaloosa, which at that time contained but one general store, kept by George W. and John W. Jones. All the milling of this section was done at Duncan's Mill on South Skunk River. The country at that time was full of wild game, and deer could be seen on the prairie almost any time. Mr. Mateer came to the County a very poor man, but by industry and economy, has accumulated considerable property. He removed to this city in 1882, and is living a retired life. Politically he is a Republican of the stalwart order. Mr. and Mrs. Mateer are the parents of nine children, five of whom are living: Elizabeth, born May 20, 1836, died in November, 1858; William, born Nov. 2, 1838, is a resident of Mahaska County; Christopher C., born May 23, 1840, lives in Mahaska County; James, Oct. 10, 1841, is a resident of this county; Samuel A., born July 20, 1843, died Aug. 4, 1880; George W., born Nov. 19, 1845, lives at Red Oak, Montgomery Co., Iowa; John H., born Feb. 13, 1848, at Oskaloosa, Iowa; Mary A., born Oct. 29, 1850, died April 27, 1876; Nancy J., born May 27, 1858, died Feb. 13, 1883. Mr. Mateer had two sons in the late Civil War, who enlisted in the 40th Iowa Infantry, and served until the close of the war, doing every duty imposed upon them in a most creditable manner. Their regiment was under the command of Gen. Steele, and participated in many of the prominent battles of the Valley of the Mississippi. Mr. Mateer has lived for thirty-eight years consecutively in this county, and has observed its growth from a wild waste to a densely populated, highly improved and wealthy county. He is an honorable, high-minded, upright citizen, whom to know is to respect and esteem for his many noble qualities, his kindly disposition and his generous impulses.
Portrait & Biographical Album of Mahaska Co., Iowa, 1887
Mahaska County, Iowa Genealogy