Biographical Sketch of Ralph Edmund Matx

SOURCE: Written by Lena Kahrig Pettit

Ralph Edmund Matz
Written by Lena Kahrig Pettit
Source--Monroe County  Beacon   Woodsfield, Ohio

    Ralph Edmund Matz was born September 4, 1916, at 1 a.m., in a log house in Summit Township, Monroe County, on Northern Road, near Lewisville, Ohio. The home was later owned by the Hettig Family. He is the son of of the late William F. (b-1876- d.1956), and Mary Ann Schaub Matz (b-1887-d-1967). Ralph was christened in St. John's Evangelical and Reformed (Middle Church), near Lewisville. He attended first grade at Johnson's one-room school on Egger Ridge and then continued his education from second grade through high school in Woodsfield. His family moved to Woodsfield in 1923. Ralph was confirmed at St. Paul's Evangelical and Reformed Church in Woodsfield.
    Mr. Matz grew to be a six foot, 190 pound, tow headed, right handed, brown eyed young adult. He played the violin in the Woodsfield High School orchestra. He also played softball, basketball, and was captain of the football team during his senior year. Ralph says that he was very good in sports. He graduated in 1934.
   Ralph is enjoying living. There is no special day because every day is a great day. He likes a variety of music and his favorite and his favorite food is creamed chicken over bisquits, the way his mother made it.
   Ralph's dad, William F. Matz, pumped oil wells and was a custodian at the Monroe County Court House. William F. was the son of Ludwig (Louis) and Christina Meckling Matz. William's wife, Mary Ann Schaub Matz, was the daughter of Andrew and Sarah Groves Schaub. William and Mary Ann were blessed with six children: Herzel (b. 1907-d-1988), Thelma (b.1908-d.1995), Lewis A. (b-1910-d 1983), Sarah (Borns) (b-1912-d 1985), Leland (b-1914-d 1981) and Ralph E. Matz who was born September 4, 1916 and lives in Chillicothe.
   After graduating from high school, Ralph joined the Civilian Conservation Corp. ( The Three C's) and was stationed in West Virginia, where he and others were responsible for the building of  both Hawk's Nest and Babcock State Parks. He later moved to Greenville, Ohio. He met his first wife, Martha Nealeigh and married in 1940. Later they moved to Youngstown, Ohio where he worked for a steel fabrication company. One son, William Edmund Matz was born to this union on March 1, 1941. In January 1943 the family moved to Chillicothe, Ohio. Ralph obtained the equivalent of two years of college with a major in sociology through Ohio University, Chillicothe.
   He entered the U.S. Navy during World War II, 1944-1946, and served with the Seebees in the Pacific Theatre. In January, 1948 he began working for the Federal Prison Service in Chillicothe and after 20 years retired as a Correctional Officer in January 1968. In 1968, Ralph began working for the State of Ohio at the Chillicothe Correctional Institute and retired as a Plumber 2 in 1980. During the years that he and his family have lived in Chillicothe, they have been members and active in the Salem United Church of Christ, and most recently, the Orchard Hill United Church of Christ.
   On May 15, 1949, Ralph married his second wife, Dorothy Ann Miller (b 1918-d 1996) the daughter of  Mr. and Mrs. Arthur C. and Laura Hafler Miller, of Laurel Street, Chillicothe. To this union a son Roger Alan Matz, was born on April 21, 1950.
   Ralph's family now consists of his son, William E. and his wife, Connie who are living in Boerne, Texas. Bill is Sr. Property Examiner, Central Region, for USA Property and Casualty Insurance, San Antonio, Texas. They both have grown children. Ralph's second son, Roger Alan Matz married Jenny Kay Niehaus and is living in Wheeling, West Virginia. Roger is a Senior
Account Executive at WTRF-TV.

Roger and Jenny have three children, Laura June, Gregory Alan and Katherine Ann. Ralph also has many nieces, nephews, and other relatives which are all special to him.
   Ralph just celebrated his 82nd birthday and was reminded just how special he is by receiving many cards and notes from his family and friends. When an occasion arrived, whether happy or sad, Ralph and Dorothy were always there to be with his family and friends. Dorothy was deceased in 1996. Ralph is recuperating from replacement knee surgery but still has that pleasing
personality and a ready smile to greet everyone, and he loves everyone dearly.

Provided by Betty Matson

Written by Lena Kahrig Pettit

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