Matthew Van Gorp was born in Pella, Iowa to Frans and Cora (Van Pelt) Van Gorp. Matthew was the eldest of their eight children.

Matthew married Elizabeth Van Ginkel in Pella, Iowa on January 6, 1871. They had 13 children: Cora, Clara, Jane, Anne, Maggie, Carrie, Nellie, Frank, Harry, Mary (died in infancy), David, Mary and Bessie.

-------------
source: Pella Chronicle, Thursday, July 11, 1935, pg 1, col 3

M.F. Van Gorp Passes Away
Had Reached The Ripe Old Age of 85 Years.
Held Funeral Sunday

M.F. Van Gorp, 85, whose lingering illness has been reported in these columns, passed away last Thursday evening at 8:25 o'clock at his home in New Sharon.
Funeral services, conducted by Rev. R.T. Nordlund, assisted by Paul Renaud, were held Sunday afternoon at 1:30 o'clock at the home and 2:00 o'clock at the Friends church, New Sharon, attended by a large number of sorrowing relatives and friends.
Surviving Mr. Van Gorp are 12 children, 42 grandchildren and 65 great grandchildren.
Matthew Frank Van Gorp was born in Pella, Iowa, Nov. 21, 1849, and died at New Sharon, Iowa, July 4, 1935, aged 85 years, 7 months, and 13 days. His youth was spent on a farm near Pella with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Van Gorp, being one of a family of eight children. Here he obtained his education from the meager facilities of the pioneer days schooled in thrift, industry, and honesty as much as in books.
In 1871 at the age of 22 years he was wedded to Elizabeth Van Ginkel, with whom he enjoyed a long and happy wedded life until on Nov. 14, 1929, when she preceded him to that house not made with hands, eternal in heaven.
To this union was born thirteen children, one dying in infancy, and the other twelve living to mourn his departure.
Mr. Van Gorp and wife lived in and around Pella, Iowa until 1897, when they and their family moved to a farm six miles north of New Sharon, Iowa.
In 1908, Mr. and Mrs. Van Gorp having reached an age for retirement, moved to New Sharon, Iowa, where he occupied his time for some years with the automobile, real estate, and other business.
He leaves to mourn his departure 12 children, 3 sisters, 45 grandchildren, and 65 great grandchildren, and a host of other relatives and friends. His children are Mrs. Cora Gosselink, with whom he has made his home since the death of his wife, Mrs. Clara Tuinstra of Pella, Iowa, Mrs. Jane Ver Steegh, Taintor, Iowa, Mrs. Anna Hoksbergen, Pella, Iowa, Mrs. Nellie Fudge, Searsboro, Iowa, Frank and Harry Van Gorp of Hammond, Ind., David Van Gorp, Oskaloosa, Iowa, Mrs. Mary Perry, Beacon, Iowa, and Mrs. Bessie Hess, Hammond, Indiana. His three remaining sisters are Mrs. Jane De Young, Mrs. Maggie De Witt, and Miss Mary Van Gorp, all of Pella, Iowa.
With his death there passes to the great beyond another of those rugged pioneers who have been so valued for their works as well as their council and advice. He was prompt in his answer to all calls of need, and was a loving husband, a kind father, a good friend, and a power in his community.