Bucks County PA Archives Biographies.....Matts, Elias H.
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Joe Patterson, Patricia Bastik & Susan Walters Dec 2009

Source: History of Bucks County, Pennsylvania; edited by 
J.H. Battle; A. Warner & Co.; 1887
Richland Township A-M


   ELIAS H. MATTS retired, P.O. Richlandtown.  The Matts 
family of Richland, the original name being Metz, then 
changed to Matz, and finally to present spelling, is 
descended from John Michael Metz, who was born in Metz, 
Germany, in 1750, and came to Philadelphia in 1760.  He 
learned the trade of tanner and currier, and married Barbara 
Hayman.  During the revolution he was impressed into the 
American army, and fought at the battle of Germantown.  
After the battle he was engaged in finishing leather for 
knapsacks at Allentown.  He has seven children:  two sons 
and three daughters died young; the others, John and Sarah, 
living to great age.  In 1798 John Michael Metz settled in 
Springfield township, and in 1800 moved to Richland 
township, where he followed the business of tanner and 
currier up to the time of his death in 1813.  (His sister 
married and moved to Northampton county.)  At the death of 
the father his son, John Matts, came into possession of the 
property, where he died in 1875.  He was a man of 
considerable prominence.  In 1824 he was elected to the 
legislature, serving four sessions.  He was likewise colonel 
of militia.  He left ten children, eight of whom are living 
in different states, and married.  Elias H., the fourth son, 
and his sister, Catherine, are living at the old homestead.  
Their father fifty-five years ago was the first postmaster 
outside of the village of Quakertown.  He was captain and 
colonel of the 59th regiment Pennsylvania militia.