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Ose Matthews - pages 143 and 144
Among those mentioned in the list of early settlers, who took claims on the first of May, '43, was Ose Matthews and his families, consisting of Drs. Reuben and Homer Matthews, Simpson B., Warren, and Ose, Jr., together with George Reynolds and Ray Alfrey, sons-in-law.
Ose Matthews, Sr., was born in Massachusetts, March 14, 1784; moved to Troy, N. Y., - date not remembered - where he resided several years; thence to Lake county, Ohio, in 1817; thence to White Pigeon Prairie in '37; thence to Iowa, and stopped below Old Agency in '42; thence to Lake Prairie in '43, and settled there at the time above stated. In '46 or '47 they sold out to the Hollanders, and Mr. Matthews settled again a short distance above Red Rock village, in what is now Union township. After living here about a year he went to Red Rock village, where he lived with his son Simpson several years, till the latter went west, when he made his home with his son-in-law, George Reynolds, in Summit township, till he died, Dec. 20, 1865.
The most important event connected with this family during their residence on Lake Prairie, was the birth of a daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Alfrey, Jan. 18, '44, being the first white child born in the county north of the Des Moines river. She was called Amanda Lenora. She is now married, and lives in Des Moines.
What further relates to the Matthews and the Alfreys will be found in the history of Red Rock.