Person:Federico Matos Gonzalez (1)

!Federico was the son of a soldier from Asturias, Spain, and his mother was a beautiful Columbian woman. At 14 years of age, the mayor of his community said that: "He was a youth of sound judgement, honest, virtuous, industrious, diligent, and of irreproachable conduct." Along with these traits, Federico developed in his character, a fervant love of liberty, so strong and dominant, that he was always engaged in the struggle for human rights. This consecration of beautiful ideals was the cause of him being exiled from Columbia, his native country. Today, he would be known as a freedom fighter. Seven courageous men came with him and his family as they escaped through the mountains of Columbia and travelled to Puerto Rico where he made his home, and raised his family in Ponce. He continued to pursue the never ending fight for freedom and human rights and became well known for his literary works and poetry concerning this great cause. His sons Jose Felix, and Raphael continued in his footsteps and are both well-known for their poetry and writing. This family has much become a part of the history of Ponce, Puerto Rico.

!He owned and directed a newspaper in Columbia called the "Echos of the Youth", which was supposed to be a scientific newspaper. Later, in life, he taught school in Guayama, Puerto Rico.

!BIRTH: He was born in Cartgena de Indies, (Island, possession of Columbia, South America). A second source, his marriage record to Eulalia Bernier, also indicates that he was born in Cartagena de Indies. A civil registration record of his granddaughter's birth (Maria Adela Pico Matos) shows he was from Columbia, Perrequelas.

!Federico was first married in Columbia. His first wife was Isabel Tudela. He left Columbia and brought his wife and family with him to Puerto Rico. Not much more is known of this marriage and family. The Jose Felix Matos Bernier biography says that he was married three times. His second wife was Filomena Laborde. Federico met Eulalia Bernier Giraud, his third wife, in Guayama, Puerto Rico.

!DEATH: Civil Registration of Deah in Coamo, Puerto Rico: FHL Mirofilm # , Item # 1, Deaths 1900, Page # 10, Record # 255, Record Search Image # 40 & 41 of 2,184; NOTES: Federico died on 11 July, 1900, at 9:00 am in the morning, in Coamo, Puerto Rico. The record shows that he was 73 years old at death. Federico's parents are recorded as Pedro Jose Matos Portacarrero and Rafaela Gonzalez MonSalvo. The record shows that Federico was married 3 times. The death was registered with Coamo civil authorities at 9:00 am in the morning on 12 July, 1900.

!CHRISTENING-BIRTH-PARENTS-CHILDREN: Baptismal records; 1855-1878; Catholic Church in San Blas, Coamo, Puerto Rico; Book 16, Page 1, Record #1, FHL Microfilm # 0820731, Items 4-9; NOTES: Photocopies in possession of James P. Halabuk, 303 Tabbs Lane, Newport News, VA, 23602 - This record shows Juan being baptised on 2 February, 1865, in San Blas, Coamo, Puerto Rico by Father Juan Antonio Perez. Parents are shown as Federico Matos and Filomena Laborde. Juan's birth date is shown to be 1 November, 1865. Paternal grand parents are shown as Pedro Jose Matos and Rafaela Gonzalez. Maternal grand parents are shown as Juan Laborde and Vicenta Vega. God parents are recorded as being Juan Laborde and Isabel Perez.

!CHRISTENING-BIRTH-PARENTS-CHILDREN: Baptismal records; 1855-1878; Catholic Church in San Blas, Coamo, Puerto Rico; Book 17, Page 176, Record #667, FHL Microfilm # 0820731, Items 4-9; NOTES: Photocopies in possession of James P. Halabuk, 303 Tabbs Lane, Newport News, VA, 23602 - This record shows Jose being baptised on 14 May, 1867, in San Blas, Coamo, Puerto Rico by Father Juan Antonio Perez. Parents are shown as Federico Matos and Eulalia Bernier. Jose's birth date is shown to be 30 January, 1867. Paternal grand parents are shown shown as Pedro Matos and Rafaela Gonzalez. Maternal grand parents are shown as Marcos Bernier and Carmen Girau(d). God parents are recorded as being Marcos Bernier and Carmen Girau(d).

!Federico owned a family business (commerce) in Coamo, Puerto Rico that was destroyed by fire. This caused him to move to Juana Diaz to continue to make a living. The fire happened when his son, Jose Felix Matos Bernier, was about 14 years old.

!He probably moved to Ponce about 1873/1874. See page 15 of Biography of Jose Felix Matos Bernier, the eulogy says that ".... We knew him 26 years ago. His hair was all ready grey."

!The 1910 Census of Coamo, Puerto Rico, E.D. 712, Page 12 B, Line 45, shows his daughter Rafaela, as having a father born in Venezuela.

!BAPTISM_CONFIRMATION: The baptism and confirmation ordinances were performed for Federico by proxies in the Washington D.C. Temple on 12 November, 2005 during a Denbigh Ward, Newport News Virginia Stake, youth baptism excursion.

!INITIATORY_ORDINANCE: The initiatory ordinace was performed for Federico in the Washington D.C. Temple on 17 March, 2006. James P. Halabuk was the proxie for this ordinance.

!ENDOWMENT_ORDINANCE: The endowment ordinance was performed for Federico in the Washington D.C. Temple on 4 September, 2006. This was done during a Denbigh Ward temple day.

!SEALING_PARENTS_ORDINANCE: Federico was sealed to his parents in the Washington D. C. Temple on 4 September, 2006. James P. Halabuk was the proxie for Federico for this ordinance.