Joseph Wakeman Mather - 4 lesser-known facts about Stephen Mather’s father

Tours often speak of Joseph Mather’s purchase of the Homestead from his cousin, Ann Lockwood.  Or how Stephen followed his father’s footsteps when he went to work for Pacific Coast Borax.  But often overlooked is that Joseph Wakeman Mather was also…

A Grammar School Principal.  In the late 1850s, J. W. Mather was principal of Grammar School No. 20 as well as Treasurer of the New York Teachers’ Association.  A 1859 newspaper article wrote: “The large new first class school edifice, No. 20 on Chrystie Street…will be opened …today, Sept. 7…designed by Mr. Thomas R. Johnson, the architect… many valuable suggestions were made by the Principal of the school,  Mr. Mather, based on his practical experience…”

A Celebrated First Tenor.   Joining with three friends, Joseph Wakeman Mather formed the Fremont & Dayton Glee Club.  They sang at various events during the Fremont/Dayton Presidential campaign of 1856 and again during the first Lincoln campaign.   From time to time the group regathered, and as late as 1899, accounts spoke of Mr. Mather’s still-strong voice.

 A Political Office-Seeker.  Although we know little about the campaign itself, we do have fragments of a poster printed for his campaign for State Senator in California’s 12^thSenatorial district. 

A Gentleman Farmer. We know that Joseph Wakeman Mather supervised the growing of many crops on the Homestead and took pride in the results. From a letter published in theNorwalk HourMarch 20, 1897, he wrote: “For the benefit of those contemplating raising Indian corn during the coming season…I raised last year on a field of one and seven-eighths acres 310 bushels of the ear…It is observed that the proportion of corn to the cob is much larger than that usually accepted…the percentage of cobs [usually] being 20%, while that of mine was a trifle over 14%