Elizabeth Matilda Owens was born in South Carolina, grew up and married in Pike County, MS. She and John Louis Neyland had two sons, Francis Harris and James Smiley, while still living in Mississippi. They moved to Louisiana after 1838 and are on the list of First Settlers of Calcasieu Parish in 1840. Two more sons, Orlando Lawrence and Warren Joshua, and daughter, Mary Ann, were born to them in Louisiana. In 1848, the decision was made to join other family members in Texas. Four more children, William Middleton, Elbert Nathaniel, John Louis, and daughter, Elizabeth Matilda, were born in Texas. Elizabeth was then tending a large and busy family.

They settled first in Polk County, Texas; then move on to Angelina and Robertson Counties. Family stories tell us that John Louis was deeply involved in politics in East Texas. A feud develops over political differences. John Louis is killed as a result of his strong beliefs. While some of Elizabeth's older children have married and are beginning life on their own, she and her younger children had to look for ways to support themselves. Family lore tells us that Elizabeth raised and trained horses to supplement her income.

The family moves on to Freestone County, then spends a few years in the Hamilton/Coryell County area, before finally settling in Karnes County by 1880 where land was plentiful and affordable. She and the sons who stayed in that area farmed for the rest of their lives. After a long and interesting life, Elizabeth died in Karnes County at the age of 85. She could be proud of the loyal and caring men and women her children had become. Her life was most certainly a pioneering adventure, taking her from South Carolina to Texas in the formative and somewhat tumultuous years of the country.