Martha Ann Murphy was born on February 24, 1890, two miles southwest of Swayzee, in Grant County, Indiana, to Moses James and Nancy Ann (Davis) Murphy. She was next to the youngest of ten children, had dark hair and eyes, and was an attractive young lady. She preferred the name Mattie rather than Martha.
Eight days before Mattie's twentieth birthday, her father passed away. Later that same year on September 1, 1910, Mattie married Miles Franklin Hoggatt (Frank). The following year on September 15th while they were living at 1726 W. 9th Street, Marion, IN, Mattie and Frank were blessed with twin daughters, Pauline Delores and Choline Isabel. Sadly, little Cohline became ill with thrush after having been nursed by a friend of Mattie's, and passed away on November 2, 1911, at one month, 17 days. Her cause of death was gastroenteritis. On October 15, 1913, Merville Chester Hoggatt (who went by Chet or Chester) was born. Chet and Pauline were the Hoggatt family treasures, never having an unkind word toward anyone.
Family portrait of Pauline, Frank, Martha & Chet Hoggatt, taken November 26, 1920.
One more addition was needed to complete this family; he would also be well loved, and as a man, would be respected by those around him. He made his entrance into the Hoggatt family on February 28, 1929. His name was Bennie Eugene Hoggatt.
Mattie and Frank lived the majority of their married life at 2434 W. Ninth Street, Marion, Indiana. Here, the Hoggatt family canned many vegetables over the years from their large garden. Martha and Pauline made pies and jellies from their cherry trees and grape vines. They also kept chickens, which kept them with a good supply of eggs. Pauline's love of taking care of kittens became well known to everyone.
Mattie passed away on Pauline's 52nd birthday, on September 15, 1963 at the Hoggatt's home in Bucktown. Frank had preceded her in death on December 19, 1960. Both are buried at the Thrailkill Cemetery, near Swayzee.
