Johann Friedrich MATTNER (known as Freidrich) was born 1807 at Brandenburg, Prussia. In 1837 he was living in Lagow, Prussia, but later was from Grunow. These towns are about 150km east of Berlin in what was the Brandenburg region of Prussia (which included Berlin) and is now western Poland. He was a farmer and had three children that we can identify. The Rohrach Family Histories suggest that there were two other sons who remained at Lockau and Kay, Prussia. Family histories suggest that Frederich may have had a half brother who went to America.

His first child was Carl Wilhelm MATTNER (known as Wilhelm), who emigrated to South Australia in 1857 on the 'Peter Godeffroy' . This barque departed from Hamburg 11 May 1857 and arrived at Port Adelaide 7 Sep 1857. Carl's occupation was listed as wheelwright on the ship log. Three years later, on 5th May 1860, Freiderich sailed from Hamburg on the 'Ceasar Godeffroy' bound for South Australia with his two daughters Wilhelmine (20yrs) and Johanne Louise (11yrs). They arrived at Port Adelaide 17th Sep 1860. It is assumed that Freidrich's wife (unknown) died sometime between Oct 1849 and May 1860 and the Rohrlach Family Histories say that she was buried at Zuellichau, Brandenburg, Prussia.

It is thought that Freidrich and his two daughters may have spent a few months at Hahndorf with Wilhelm (Carl Wilhelm) when they arrived in South Australia. E.W. Mattner (b.1893) had said that as a boy, he remembers watching his grandfather (Carl Wilhelm) at Hahndorf, working on timber beams for the building of the Hahndorf Mill. In July 1864, Frederich bought lots 52, 53 & 54 of Harrogate but these were transferred to Johann Georg Haebich on 26 Nov 1864. He built a house on Lot 33 Harrogate and it was transferred to Artemus Applegate on 24 Feb 1876 and he then lived with (Carl) Wilhelm at Oakbank. It is thought that Freidrich had worked as a labourer.

Freiderich died 1st January 1880 (aged 72) and is buried in the old part of the cemetery at St. Michaels Lutheran Church at Hahndorf.

Children of Johann Freidrick MATTNER

1. Carl Wilhelm MATTNER (known as Wilhelm) b. 17 May 1837 Lagow, Brandenburg, Prussia m. Pauline Emily MARKS d. 18 Jun 1920
2. Wilhelmina MATTNER 1840-1926 m. Carl Gottlieb Heinrich KLOSE
3. Johanne Louise MATTNER 1849-1926 m. Johann Gottfried Dienegott BAENSCH 1833-1913