The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1873-02-08
Death Of Ex.aoveruor Mstteson.

last "Ooh. We Ht'U III lH0 A'''"'0 VI o@'"io
day the following sketch Of the life of the emf
nent deceased, which is so accurate and COM
preheuslve as to leave nothing to add:
The Hon. Joel n. Matteson, ex-governor Of
Illinois, died yesterday noon, at the house Of
his son-in-law. II. f. Goodell, No BOG Michi-
gan avenue, in this city. Gov. Matteson set
tied in this state many years ago, and was en-
gagged as one OF the contractors on the Illinois
and Michigan canal. subsequently he served
one or two terms IN the state senate, and in
November, 1862. was elected governor Of tho
state, which Office lie assumed IN January,
1858. He Immediately addressed himself to
the business of restoring the state credit and
to the liquidation and payment ot the state
debt. His servics as governor was marked
with great ability and untirlng energy. Dur
ing his term the state entered upon that pros.
perity and increase which have marked its re.
cent history. When he retired from office no
man in Illinois enjoyed public confidence toa
higher degree than Gov Matteson.
Before his election he had amassed consid-
cradle wealth, which had increased by judi
cious investments. After he had retired from
Office he engaged largely in the purchase OF
outstanding indebtedness of the state relating
to the canal, in order to have the same funded.
In 1878, it was discovered that among much
valid canal scrip there had been funded an
amount which the state had previously paid.
The ex-governor WAS charged with intention.
al fraud, which he met by prompt surrender
of property to cover what was adjndged to
have been enormously funded, and in few
years paid back to the state every penny of
the money His explanation was that, as he
was buying all the scrip that was offered him,
and unconscious that there was any in circu-
lstion that was not genuine, nc was himself
the victim.
1t will not be considered inappropriate to
give brief retrospective view Of his early life.
He was born Aug ., 1908, at Watertown, in
Jefferson county, N. y. He was the only son
Of Elnathan Mattcson, who migrated in the
year 1905 to Wstcrtown from Manchester,
Bennington county, Vt. The elder Matteson
was iaylner IN easy circumstances. In ISL
he removed with his family to Joliet, Ill.,, and
died there in 1854, full of years and simple
honors. His son received only common
school education and, like most young Ameri-
cans, left the paternal roof early to push his
own fortunes. Associated with youns gen
tleman Of about his own age, and from the
same neighborhood, he engaged for while
in the grocery business at Prescott, Upper
Canada, but his health failing, lie was obliged
to return home to Watertown after brief pc
Rod. Soon aiterward he attended school at
Brownvil.e, Y. \. for 81 single season, acqur
ing u sufficient amount of education in that
time 70 qualify HIM for the occupation Of
teacher. which Ac pursued in that City for one
year Ills health falling him, IN 1890, he Wis
tied the larger towns of lis native state, and
the following autumn extended his tour 10
South Carolina, where he found employment
with railroad contractors for five months.
This was shout the time Of the Georgia gold
fever, and young Matteson, then % years Of
age found his way to the aurifcrous regions
By such poar means as those parts OF the coun-
try at that time furnished. Che precious met
al was not found IN such abundance Gs to de-
lay men Of sense and GiSccrnment, and he
speedily found his way to st. Louis, passing
through Nashville, and descending the Cum
bcrland river. From st. Louis he returned to
Watertown, where he married Miss fish,
daughter Of Calvin Fish, of Jefferson county
This occurred in 1889. After brief effort at
agricultural subiugation on farm in that in
hospitable locality, he purchased farm IN La
Sale county, IN this state, and moved on to it
IN 1884. There were but two neighbors with
IN ten miles of his place, and not more than
three or four houses between him and Chica-
"a His early experience with ague, rattle
snakes, and ether prairie disadvantages were
such as were common to all the pioneers of
that day. The farm on which Mr.. Matteson
lived WAS sold in 1886, and he moved to Joli-
ct, where he resided until he was elected gov
ernor. in 1862. While residing at Joliet he
was elected magistrate, and for several years
was the only official Of that dignity in the
county. He took the heavy contracts9on the
Illinois and Michigan canal, mentioned above,
and the state falling to pay him, he bought
all the iron that the commonwealth had on
hand for public improvements, and sold it to
such advantage as to pay all his debts and
have loft balance Of several thousand dollars.
In 1923, he erected woolen-mil in Joliet,
q most crcditab!e enterprise. His public life,
after he became q member Of the legislature,
has he.a sketched above; 70 which II may be
added, rs included in the line Of his public
| labor and benefits, that lie built the railroad
| between this city and Joliet, for the Rock Is
land railroad. lie built the road from joliet to
| the connection Of the Michigan Central. This
! was commonly known ms Mattcsons Cutoff.
! lie was u candidate against Lincoln for the
| United States senate during his governorship.
Mattesop, who was not the frat candidate al
his party IN the legislature, but was put on
the course eiter 1t was seen that Shields could
rot be elected, would have gained the sens.
torship had not Lincoln seeing that his own
success was impossible, owing to the stubborn
| refusal OF tour anti.Nebraska Democrats to
vote for him, withdrawn from the contest in
favor ofTrumbull who carried the day. The
names Of these four lnAss,ble men, whose
| stern adherence to their convictions Of duty
changed tho whole course Of Illinois politics