The Matlicks of Bishop

Seated (L to R): Laura Matlick and Blanche Matlick(?)
Standing: Florence Matlick
Taken during the 1920's on the porch of what is now the Matlick House.

The Matlicks of Bishop

All Matlick family photos and text courtesy of Carol Stephens

Al Matlick & Family

Top row (L to R): Alvin Matlick, Mabel Matlick-Rowan, Charles Matlick, Lenna Matlick, Ed Matlick, Ella Briscoe-Matlick, Art Matlick, LaVerne Rowan, Harry Matlick and Lucille Matlick,

Middle row (L to R): Tillie Clausen-Couch, Fanny Matlick, Allen Matlick, Minnie Clausen-Matlick, Jennie Clausen-Matlick and unknown

Bottom row (L to R): Grace Matlick-Wofford, Dorothy Matlick, Charles Matlick and Helen Matlick.

Earl Matlick History
by Carol Stephens

Roscoe Earl Matlick (b.7-16-1884 in Williamstown, Clark Co., MO-d.3-1986 in San Diego, San Diego Co., CA) married Lillian Mattson. No children.

Earl had to quit school at an early age to help his father on the farm. He was finally able to complete his high school education in Redlands, California at the age of 24. He and Lillian moved to San Diego, California because of Earl's asthma. After Lillian's death Earl continued to live on his own well into his late nineties until he was hospitalized because of internal bleeding. He couldn't see nor hear very well, but his mind stayed sharp. He celebrated his100th birthday with family and friends in 1984 in San Diego, California, where he resided until his death at the age of 102.

This is a photo of Leroy Matlick and his first child, Mary Laura Matlick, was taken in 1919. It was taken on the farm of Leroy's father, Samuel Matlick, brother of Allen Matlick. Samuel Matlick moved his family from Missouri to Bishop in 1908.	Earl Matlick in front of the candy display - 1916?
	In 1915 Leroy and his brother, Earl, worked in a tobacco/candy shop in Bishop, California. Probably owned by George Neal, it was located in the Jack Black building on the corner of N. Main and Line Street. He did work as a traveling salesman for the shop.
	Leroy Matlick in front of cigar display - 1916?

Leroy Matlick History
by Carol Stephens

Leroy (no middle name) Matlick (b.1891 in Williamstown, Clark Co., MO-d.1972 in San Diego, CA)
married Myrtle Thomas (b.1-27-1890-92 in Grand Haven, MI-d.?-?-1985? in Lancaster, Los Angeles Co., CA)
in Bishop, California on Labor Day weekend, September 1916.

Leroy was the last child born to Buddy and Laura. When he had finished the 8th grade, his father said a farmer didn't need any more schooling than that, so he had to quit school to work on the farm. He came to California in 1907 or 1908 with his brother Earl. He was 17 years old when he returned to school in Redlands, California to get a diploma. The schools were not as structured then as they are today and it was not unusual to see a boy his age starting high school.

In 1915 Leroy and his brother, Earl, worked in a tobacco/candy shop in Bishop, California. Probably owned by George Neal, it was located in the Jack Black building on the corner of N. Main and Line Street.
He did work as a traveling salesman for the shop. He met Myrtle in Bishop, California in August 1916. She was working during the summer at a local hotel, probably the Clark Hotel, located on the west side of N. Main Street. Built in 1887, the hotel had a dining room and an ice cream parlor.

They married Labor Day weekend, 1916, in Independence, California a short two weeks after they met. Leroy chose this weekend because the store would be closed Monday so they could get married and get back without losing any time from work. The honeymoon, too, was short in many ways.
Myrtle had been trained as a fine artist from the time she could hold a pencil. Her new husband informed her on the way home that Monday that he did not want her to continue painting. There was no money in it and besides, she wouldn't have time with all the work she would have to do. It was a real blow to Myrtle who had always planned on being an artist. She excelled in every medium she tried. She was once commissioned by Shirley Temple's father to paint a miniature portrait of his famous daughter, but Myrtle never got to meet the young actress, having to work entirely from photographs. She also did drafting during World War II to earn a paycheck. Later in life, miniature watercolor portraits became her medium.

After several unhappy years for Myrtle, and a trip a doctor who convinced Leroy to let her paint, she was finally able to again her pursue her life's passion.

Always concerned with appearances, she scolded her children for what she considered to be unacceptable behavior by saying "it simply isn't being done by our better people." In spite of this, in later years, she was proud of the fact that she had been rough and tough enough to work in "a man's world."

Leroy worked for Dunn and Bradstreet in the 1930's and 1940's reviewing loans for small businessmen.
His real love, though, was writing. He had many short stories published in the local paper in Hemet, California, where he lived and in other periodicals. He often wrote about his life on the farm and about the desert. He had many wonderful characters in his desert stories and they are cherished by his children and grandchildren.

Leroy and Myrtle were a terrible mismatch and divorced in 1945.
Leroy remarried in 1947 to Edith Elliott. Edith had 4 grown children.
She died about 1970. Edith and Leroy had no children.

Janet Matlick and Mary Matlick on their Grandfather's (Samuel Matlick) farm, 1923.

This photo was taken in 1923 on the porch of Samuel Matlick's farm. The two girls are (L to R) my mother, Janet Matlick Stephens, age 3, and her sister, Mary Matlick Bowen, age 5. They are posing for a portrait done in oil by my Grandmother, Myrtle Thomas Matlick.

Mary Matlick, age 5, and Janet Matlick, age 3, in 1923, in the orchards that were once across the street from the Matlick House when it was still the home of Al and Minnie Matlick.

Post Office in Bishop.

This is a photo of Leroy Matlick's wife, Myrtle Thomas Matlick, and their first child, Mary Louise Matlick, taken 1919. It was taken on the farm of Leroy's father, Samuel Matlick, brother of Allen Matlick. Samuel Matlick moved his family from Missouri to Bishop in 1908. He met Myrtle in 1916 and they got married on Labor Day, after knowing each other about 2 weeks.

Myrtle Matlick Autobiography [pdf]
Provided by Carol Stephens