Mattie Fielder—matriarch, homemaker, and church leader—died on November 12, 1950, at age 83.

Born Mattie Barnes in Alvarado in 1867 to an influential pioneer Johnson County family, she later attended Marvin College in Waxahachie. In 1887, she married James P. Fielder, a successful banker, farmer, and landowner. The Fielders were charter members of the Central Methodist Church of Fort Worth and had four sons: Cicero, Alfred, James Jr., and Robert.

Portrait of Mattie Fielder at Fielder Museum

The Fielders moved to Arlington around 1907, building a palatial home in 1914 on a 215-acre farm at Fielder Road and Abram Street. Known as the ‘Home on the Hill,’ the residence became a prominent place for social gatherings, with Mattie as its devoted caretaker. A pillar of her church, she taught Sunday school and served as president of the Ladies Aid Society, a volunteer and charitable organization.

James Sr. died in 1948, and Mattie followed in 1950, survived by three sons, a brother, six grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. Mr. and Mrs. Fielder, along with her parents and the Fielders’ son Alfred, who died as a young child, are buried at Balch Cemetery in Alvarado.

In 1980, their residence became the Fielder House Museum, home to the Arlington Historical Society. Although repurposed, Mattie’s warm presence is still felt through the small details and touches she left behind. Her portrait hangs in the entryway, showing a proud, gentle, and genuine woman, evidently content with the continuing life of her former home.

“Mrs. Fielder Dies at 83 In Arlington”
Fort Worth Star-Telegram – November 13, 1950
Newspapers.com

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Blog post by Jason S. Sullivan, 11-12-25