A Matter family reunion took place in 1940 and the above photo was taken there. At this time, it is not known where this reunion took place, but there is the possibility that it was in either Washington Township or Lykens Township, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania.
Because of the number of people in this photo, and the probability that the unknown person(s) who made the identifications was in error on some, a number key is presented below. An example of one type of error occurs in the back row, in which only five persons are clearly identified, and one is unknown, but there are clearly seven persons in the back row. Another type of error occurs in the third row, where it is not clear that the persons identified are lined up in the order given or whether all persons are included. The final problem is one which occurs in the second row of seated person, where the first four persons appear to be women, but a male is included in that group.
The identifications provided with this photograph are:
Front Row (seated on ground): Warren Schlegel; —–?—–; Marian Row; Nevin Matter Jr.; Winifred Matter; —–?—–; Evelyn Matter; Helen Matter; Loretta Stine; Lyle Matter; Mary Matter, daughter of Nevin; Yvonne Matter; Gertrude Matter; Leroy Matter, Nathan’s son; Gerald Matter, Paul’s son; Mary Matter, Harvey’s daughter.
Second Row (mostly seated): Agnes Foster; Mary S. Matter; Robert Matter, son of Mary S.; Lula [Matter] Dodd; Mary [Adam] Matter; Adam Matter Jr.; Peter Matter; Carrie Matter; Anna Hochlander; Harper Hochlander; Kathleen Stine; Jon Matter, Glenn’s son; Harold Matter, kneeling.
Third Row (standing): Albert Foster; Clayton Matter; Donald Matter; Peter Matter; Alice Hoke; Warren Hoke; Elwood Row; Charles Row; Harvey Matter; Jennie Row; Nevin Matter; Mrs. Stine, mother of Avis; Avis Stine; Nathan Matter; Mark Stine; —–?—–; Arlene Matter; Mark Matter; Mildred Matter; Richard Matter; Leroy Matter; Ronnie Matter; Ralph Matter; Ruth Matter; Robert Matter; William Matter; Hattie Matter.
Back Row (standing, elevated): Harold Row; Ethel Row; Carolyn Matter, wife of Ralph; Hattie Dodd;—–?—–; Marlin Matter.
A better copy of this photograph would be helpful in enlarging it and cropping out individual portraits.
Corrections and additional information should be added as comments to this post. Please use number key when commenting on individuals.
I had given this picture to Gratz for the Lykens Valley Book.
Some things you questioned are as following:
# 18- Mary S Matter is holding her son and you can see that when the picture is enlarged.
# 59- Was not identified and I left a blank to indicate this.
I think the party in question could be Mr Dodd.
Also all peoples in the 3rd row have been identified but they are crowed and behind others.
Lastly this picture was taken at the Peter Matter homestead. There were many reunions of this family at the homestead.