Levina Matlock

The death of Mrs. Lavina Matlock, which occurred Wednesday morning November 16, 1910, took one of the oldest settlers of the county, who came here when fighting Indians was as necessary as providing food, and when the country was barren of habitation. Mrs. Matlock was born in Ohio, September 11, 1820, and she came to LaSalle County in 1830 with her parents, Matthew and Rebecca Trumbo, who were members of the Trumbo family so well known in LaSalle County. In 1839 she was married to W.W. Matlock (West Walker. JNA) at her parent's home in Ottawa and at once moved to Kendall County, where they made their home on the farm now occupied by J.N. Harris and from which farm she never moved. Her residence of seventy-one years on the one location made her a prominent character in the doings of the community and her associations were ever for the good. She was a member of the Pavilion Church and did much towards its upbuilding when Pavilion was more of a town than Yorkville and when the old stage road passed through the village.

This experience, of course, was after her home had been well fixed here, and she really saw the entire community grow from a wild, Indian infested country to a quiet, law-abiding community such as it is at present. Her experiences were interesting and oft recounted to the children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Four children were born to her: Mrs. Elizabeth Harris, Mrs. J.E. Crum, and J.M. Matlock, who all live near here, and Amanda, who died at the age of eleven years. Her husband was called by death in 1886, and Mrs. Matlock lived with her daughter, Mrs. Harris, from that time. A few years ago she suffered a stroke of paralysis which it is believed affected her in such a manner that she could not withstand her age successfully. For the past few months she has failed gradually and though she would rally and be up and around for a short time, it was seen that her death was a matter of but a short time, her heart having failed. She passed away quietly on Wednesday morning surrounded,by the family.

The funeral was held from the home Friday afternoon, the services being in charge of Rev. T.W. Heyland. Interment was in the Pavilion cemetery. The bearers were N.B. and John B. Harris, J. G. and E.L. Matlock, R.W. Boston and B.F. Hardesty.