Came to America in fall of 1854 with his father Johann Schlimgen and siblings Engelbert, Johnand Elizabeth. Sister Sibilla stayed in Germany with Mathias's wife Katherine until after birth of their first son John and these three joined the others in Wisconsin after the birth in winter 1854.Settled in Madison, Wisconsin, area until 1879, then moved to Dakota Territory. In Dakota owned and operated a General tore between Ethan and Starr (now Dimock), SDFirst Mass said in Mathias's home 1880. Mathias would officiate at most funerals in Starr/Dimock until a priest established approx 1885.Own/operated a general store between Starr (Dimock) and Ethan, SDTen of his 11 children went to Dakota with him in 1879, Elizabeth stayed in Wisconsin.Son John went to Dakota first, in 1878. The others followed.(See notes Anna Sybilla Schlimgen/Johann Schlimgen/Englebert Schlimgen)Buried, with his wife and Brother Engelbert, at Sts Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Dimock, SD; a church they helped build. His obituary states he had 13 children, accounts for all of them. No child named Roman is mentioned, nor is a Karl as mentioned in "The Johann Schlimgen Family" book. Unlikely Mathias would have buried a child in a cave as reported in "The Johann Schlimgen Family" since he was a devout Catholic and helped build the church, completed 17 years prior to the birth of "Roman"
Returned to New York in June 1855, probably to meet the ship bringing sister Sybilla, wife Katharina and baby son John to America. Mathias & Katherina settled in Wisconsin where they lived and had 14 children. In June 1878 son John (the one born in Germany) filed a homestead claim in the vicinity of what was to become Starr (now Dimock) South Dakota. In July his parents Mathias & Katherina followed with their children. In March 1879 the families of John's uncle Engelbert, his sister Elizabeth (Mrs Mathias Schmitz) and his brother Mathias J. Schlimgen filed claims in the same area.Mathias & Katherina filed 2 160-acre claims, established a general merchantile store; the store building was later moved to Ethan, SD. The same building was later moved to Mitchell, SD, and remodeled into apartments. It was still in use as of 1999.Copy of document:"In the Court of Common Pleas for the City and County of NewYork, I ____________(Mathias Schlimgen) do declare on oath, that it is bona fide my intention to become a CITIZEN of the UNITED STATES, and to renounce for ever all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign Prince, Potentate, State of Sovereignty whatever, and particularly to the King of Prussia of whom I am a subject.Sworn, this 23 day of June, 1855 (Signed by Mathias)"_____________________________See notes brother Engelbert: "Mathias Schlimgen, I and wife staked their claim in 1878 and it was recorded on Jan 20, 1889, NE Quarter of section 17, Cross Plains Township, Hutchinson County. He was the first one to stake a claim west of the Jim River, in Dimock territory (The reason for the above, was their desire to belong to or become part of a CatholicCommunity.)