Matthias came to America on the “Utica,” arriving in New York City with his parents and two brothers on November 25, 1841.
According to the 1860 Census "Mathias" was a 24 year old cooper born in Baden, Germany; and lived in Munster Township, with his mother and siblings.
Matthias became a farmer and carpenter like his father. According to one family story, Matthias built the home where his family lived. One day, the family went to church and returned to find that it had burned down. The family was forced to live in a shed until Matthias could replace it. A grandson, Wilfred Sutton, recalled that Matthias had a long, dirty beard, and that the grandchildren were very much afraid of him. Matthias was also very bitter over the early death of his wife Elizabeth, and daughters Jennie and Katie took over the responsibility of raising the younger children. Chlorina Noel, the sister of Elizabeth, took Gallitzen to South Bend, Ind., to start a new life. Matthias lost further popularity when he willed his affects only to his male children.
According to newspaper accounts, the aforesaid fire occurred when the family was attending Mass on May 3, 1866. The home, a short distance west of Munster on the Ebensburg and Cresson Railroad line, was destroyed with all its furniture, plus the workshop, tools and lumber of Matthias’ brother Isadore. The cause was “the work of an incendiary,” or sparks from a locomotive.
In 1867, Matthias was called for jury duty for the June term at the Ebensburg Courthouse.
The 1870 Census indicates that "Mathew" is a 34 year old wagon maker, owns realty worth $1000 and personalty worth $230, resides in Munster Township, and can't read or write English. It also mistakenly indicates that that he was born in Pa. Elizabeth is noted as his wife and 31 year old housekeeper, can't read or write English, and was born in Pa. Their children were Michael (3) and Catharine (1).
The 1880 Census shows that "Mathias" was a 44 year old wagon maker born in Baden, and residing in Munster Township. Elizabeth was his 38 year old wife and housekeeper, born in Pa. Their children were Michael (13, and a farm laborer with schooling), Catharine (10, with schooling), Genevieve (8, with schooling), Ida (6, with schooling), Philomena (4), and George (2) -- all born in Pa.
Matthias lived in Munster Township for 83 of his 88 years.
In 1889, John J. Noel was appointed guardian of the four daughters.
The 1900 Census indicates that Matthias was a farmer and that he "owns free farm" and lives in Munster Township, Cambria Co., Pa. It also mistakenly states that Matthias was born in Pa. His children were listed as Ida, Minnie, George, and Edward.
Matthias’ cause of death was listed as “sarcoma of face.”

The 1860 Census lists Elizabeth as the oldest of 9 children, living in Munster Township, Cambria County, Pa., with her parents.