By 1872, Mathias had graduated from Otterbein University, Westerville, Ohio, with a B.A. degree. Later, he took an M.A. degree at the same university. He taught school for a time after graduation. At the time of his marriage in 1872, he was Principal of the High School in Knoxville, Illinois.

In 1873, Mathias and his bride went to Avalon, Missouri, to take the position of Principal of Avalon Academy. His father, Lewis Duckwall, sold his farm in Logan Co., Illinois, and also moved to Avalon at this time.

Mathias entered the Ministry and held Pastorates in Ohio, Iowa, and Illinois, before going to Palestine, Illinois, in 1895, as Pastor of the old Presbyterian Church on Main Street. After retiring from the ministry, he and his wife lived in Chicago until her death in 1918. After that, he spent much time in travel. He lived in Puerto Rico for two years where he became especially interested in the Mission School and the Spanish Language.

• Married: 27 DEC 1872 in Cumberland County, Illinois ^{4 1}

1. Austin Holland AMBROSE b: 10 NOV 1873 in Avalon, Livingston County, Missouri
2. Inez Pearl AMBROSE b: 16 JUN 1876 in Avalon, Livingston County, Missouri
3. Mary Catherine AMBROSE b: 27 FEB 1879 in Preble County, Ohio
4. Roy Barton AMBROSE b: 19 JAN 1885 in Greenup, Illinois
5. Grace Caroline AMBROSE b: 2 JUL 1889 in Auburn, Illinois
6. Lewis AMBROSE b: 21 AUG 1883

1. Title: Ruth Ambrose Stennett, AMBROSE, KAPP, and branch lines dating from their 1770s immigrations to 1990 (Oregon: Self, 1990)
2. Title: Church of Latter Day Saints, International Genealogical Index (www.familysearch.org)
   Page: Batch #F501552, Sheet 49 - 1846
3. Title: Marie Pieffer [deceased], Personal Research
4. Title: Marie Pieffer [deceased], Personal Research
   Page: email 22 Aug 1999 - date and place