IDA COUNTY   Biographical History Crawford, Ida and Sac Counties Chicago: Lewis Publishing Company 1893 Page 466   Enoch Matlack, a farmer of section 32, Logan township, Ida county, was born in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, February 17, 1825, a son of Reuben and Orpha (Thomas) Matlack, natives also of that county.  The father was a cabinet-maker by trade, later a farmer; in an early day he went to Chester county, Pennsylvania, afterward went South, where he died many years ago.  The mother died at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, in 1856.  Mr. Matlack’s ancestors were all Quakers, and came to this country with William Penn.  They brought over a clock which is now in the possession of the subject of this sketch, and is still in running order; it bears the name of Mr. Matlack’s grandfather across the face.  General Scott was a relative of the family.  On the father’s side the family was of English descent and settled in Pennsylvania in the days of William Penn.  On the mother’s side the family are of Welsh descent.  Mr. and Mrs. Reuben Matlack had eight children, two now living: Enoch and Isaiah Jackson, of Ida County.   Enoch Matlack, the eldest child was reared and educated in Chester county, Pennsylvania, where he also learned the trade of a tanner, following the same at Hummelstown, that State.  He was next engaged in the grocery business at Harrisburg two years, and then, in 1879, purchased his present farm of 160 acres in Logan township, Ida County, Iowa.  He has since improved his place, erected a good one and a half story residence, 28 x 32 feet, a fine barn, 48 x 30 feet, and has all other necessary farm improvements.  Mr. Matlack’s farm is well watered and adapted for stock-raising, in which he is extensively engaged.  He takes an active interest in politics, voting first with the Whig party and has been identified with the Republican party since its organization.   Our subject was first married at Middletown, Pennsylvania, in 1851, to Sophia B. Rife, a native of that State, and a daughter of Jacob and Mary (Bombarger) Rife, natives also of Pennsylvania, and of German descent.  To this union was born nine children, five now living: Jacob, married and resides in Logan township.  He and his wife, Mary, have nine children:  Clara V., Walter H., Sophia R., George K., Jennie L., Franklin R., Ralph E., Jacob R., Mary A. and Roscoe E.; Joseph, unmarried lives in Ida county; Walter, at home; Mary, at home; and Clara, wife of Samuel Long of York, Pennsylvania.  Mr. Matlack was again married, at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania in 1871, to Mrs. Sarah A. Kesler, nee Franer, who was born in that State.  Her death occurred at Harrisburg in 1880.   Mr. Matlack takes an active interest in church work.  He has witnessed nearly the full growth of Logan township, and has always been one of its honored and respected citizens.   SCOTT COUNTY   "From History of Scott County, Iowa 1882 Chicago: Interstate Publishing Co." Henry H. Matlock, manager of the Western Telephone Company, corner of Second and Brady streets, was born near Charleston, N. C., Aug. 30, 1840, and was a son of George W. and Mary A. (Spencer) Matlock, of Pennsylvania. Henry attended school until he was 18 years old, when he learned telegraphing, and became chief operator of the U. S. Telegraph Company in 1864, at Chicago, Ill. In 1865 he came to Davenport as manager of the Western Telegraph Company, and held that position until July 1, 1881, when he resigned to take his present position. In November, 1881, he was appointed assistant general superintendent for the Western Telephone Co., of the Iowa division, a position he still retains. He was married to Miss Mary R. Kelly at South Bend, Ind., Dec. 4, 1867. She was born in Burlington, N. J., of William and Eliza Kelly. Mr. and Mrs. Matlock have one child, Robert C. Mr. Matlock is a Mason and a member of Trinity Lodge, No. 208, and the Davenport Consistory, Scottich Rite, No. 3. The Telephone Company of Davenport have 283 instruments in use. This system includes Rock Island, Moline and Milan, and for the four towns use 500 instruments. Mr. Matlock organized this telephone system in August, 1879, commencing with 40 stations.   Graphics and page designed by Leona1999 January, 2005 Copyright © The main image is a courtesy of http://dirk.holoweb.net/~liam/pictures/oldbooks/pictures-of-old-books/ updated May 2008