I and a few friends have been trying to find our Matkovic/Matcovic/Matkovich connections. My father John Matkovic (we spell it Mothkovich now) was born in 1910, and about 1919/1920 his father and mother somehow separated. We still aren't certain what caused the separation, - death or divorce. Anyhow, John and his brother Daniel were placed with foster families in 1920, and his mother Ana Bakic-Matkovic was sent for treatment of TB in Iowa City, IA. In December of 1921, she left against doctors orders traveling to Sunnyslope Hospital in Ottumwa, IA. I have a couple theories about that. #1. that she was trying to find a place close to family to locate a relative to raise her son's (Since Rathbun is close to Ottumwa, and there are Matkovic there), or # 2. she went there to find a man she claimed was her husband if Josip/Josef/Joseph Matkovic was dead or divorced. Her death certificate of 1923 lists her as Ana Gutteries, and as a widow. Elias Gutteries had been a family friend according to my father. Who knows for certain but; I suspect there is somehow a family relationship with the Croatian commutiy in Rathbun. I have not found any Vuksic or Bakic in that area, only Matkovic. Would like to know more about the area.. Keep in touch Dave Mothkovich <Matkovic> On Fri, 24 May 2002 20:55:18 EDT TodeyL@aol.com writes: > Along with my research I received page photocopied which has name > Matkovic. > Page is from the Official Directory of Mercer County, Illinois 1935 > Directory > of Farmers, Breeders, Business Firms, Town and Village Residents, > Schools, > Churches, Lodges and Officials. > Matkovic, John (Anna Adams); Children Ganna, Marvin, John > > Recently there was mention of Matkovic in the town of Rathbun, Iowa > > There is a Rathbun Reunion scheduled for Saturday, June 22 for all > former > residents of the town. > > An article in the Des Moines Register May 30, 1943, stated: > "Rathbun is one > of the Midwest’s oldest Croatian communities—a coal mining > settlement of 350 > inhabitants. Rathbun’s white and gray stucco cottages are built on > some of > the greenest hills of Appanoose County. Somehow the bleak grime of > the > typical mining camp has missed this village." > Of course, most of the coal miners are gone, but those of us who are > > descendants will be going to the reunion. My grandfather, John > Todey, was one > of the early settlers in Rathbun. > A little more from the article quotes my grandfather. Rathbun was > > established as a coal mining town in the early 90’s. John Todey, > 70, one of > the first settlers, saw the town grow to more than 600 in > population, then > shrink to almost half that size. He spent his years in the mines and > raised a > family of 12 children, 11 of whom are living. He now is a mine > weight checker. > “I got here before they built the railroad station,” he said. > “they have > torn it down and I’m still here. This is a good country and I > appreciate it. > “In the old country we had to do what we were told to do. And we > didn’t > have much to say about it. > “I worked on the railroad there, 11 hours a day for 80 cents a > day. When I > came here, they were paying 16 1/2 cents an hour in the mines and > the men > d 10 hours a day. Now they are paying 89 cents an hour for seven > hours, > inside the mines,” Todey said. > “I have two sons in the army. We know what this country means > and we want > to help preserve the liberties we have here.” > In ancient times, the Croatians established a tradition as being > fearless > warriors, fighting under command of the zupani, or tribal chiefs. On > the > battlefield the Croatians ARE PRESERVING that tradition; in America > they has > established communities which are among the most peaceful and > resourceful." > > You could imagine that I was pretty excited to find that article. > Would any > one know what the name of the railroad would have been? He was born > in > Fuzine, Croatia, but maybe he had to leave home to get the work? He > immigrated in 1892. > > Back to the reunion there was mention that all former residents of > Rathbun > could not be located - if you know of anyone who did not receive an > invitation to the reunion I can give details. > > Louise > > > > > >