MATSON, Courtland Cushing
Courtland Cushing Matson
Source: Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1771-Present
MATSON, Courtland Cushing
(1841-1915)
MATSON, Courtland Cushing, a Representative from Indiana; born in Brookville, Franklin County, Ind., April 25, 1841; was graduated from Indiana Asbury (later De Pauw) University in 1862; during the Civil War enlisted as a private in the Sixteenth Regiment, Indiana Volunteers; after one year's service entered the Sixth Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Cavalry (Seventy-first Volunteers), and served until October 1865, and was subsequently promoted to the rank of colonel; studied law; was admitted to the bar and commenced practice in Greencastle, Putnam County, Ind.; was three times elected prosecuting attorney of the county; chairman of the Democratic State central committee in 1878; elected as a Democrat to the Forty-seventh and to the three succeeding Congresses (March 4, 1881-March 3, 1889); chairman, Committee on Invalid Pensions (Forty-eighth through Fiftieth Congresses); was not a candidate for renomination; unsuccessful Democratic candidate for Governor of Indiana in 1888; resumed the practice of law in Greencastle, Ind.; member of the board of tax commissioners 1909-1913; died in Chicago, Ill., September 4, 1915; interment in Forest Hill Cemetery, Greencastle, Ind.
Source: Indianapolis News 29 March
1909 –
Courtland C. Matson from Greencastle member of State board of Tax
Commissioners appointed to succeed Parks Martin as State Tax Commissioner
“CC Matson was born in Brookville, Ind, April 25, 1841. He is the son of John A. Matson, who was a distinguished lawyer and politician. The elder Matson moved from Brookville to Greencastle in 1851. He was a Whig candidate for Governor in 1849 and was twice candidate for congress from old Brookville district. CC enjoyed superior educational advantages in his youth. He was graduated from Asbury University, class of 1862. He left the university when the Civil War broke out but later returned to graduate without further study. He studied law with his father and later formed a partnership with his father and Solomon Claypool in Greencastle. This partnership continued until the death of the elder Matson in 1870. CC condintued as a partner of Mr. Claypool until 1878. From that time on until 1889 he practiced his profession alone. In that year he was elected to Congress from the 5th District and served through four successive congresses. His career in Congress gave him a national reputation and in 1888 he was nominated by the Democrats for Governor but was defeated Alvin P. Hovey by 2,191 votes. He then resumed his law practice with Joseph Giles at Bedford. In 1896 his son, Smith C. Matson became his partner in his Greencastle business. During his practice Mr. Matson has tried a number of important cases, both for and against railroad companies, and also a number of murder cases. He was elected prosecuting attorney in 1872. He has a high reputation as an attorney. For a short time in 1878 he was chairman of the Democratic State committee. Mr. Matson’s war service begin April 14, 1861 when at the age of 20, he enlisted in a company of college boys at Greencastle known as the Asbury Guards. He served until June 5, 1882 in Co K 16th Ind Vol. At that time he was elected 2nd Lt. of this company and served as such until the expiration of his enlistment. When the 71st Regt Ind Vol was organized, Mr. Matson was made adjutant. All the field officers of this regiment were killed at the battle of Richmond, Ky April 30, 1862 and Matson was appointed to succeed Lt. Col MD Topping. Early in 1863 this regiment was changed into a cavalry regiment and designated as the 6th Indiana Cavalry. Col. Matson served as Lt. Col. of that regiment until Lee’s surrender. Later he was appointed col. of the recruits of the 5th & 6th Ind Cavalry and served as such to Oct 1865 when he was mustered out of the service. He was in all the important battles of his regiment and took part in numerous skirmishes of Sherman’s campaign. Mr. Matson is a member of the GAR in which organization he has always been an active worker. - transcribed by kbz
Courtland Matson's Family
This picture came from Andrew A. Black Jr's (1852-1917), Greencastle, Putnam, Indiana, family album, dating to the latter half of 19th century, containing mostly friends and some family. This photo is also on http://www.ancientfaces.com [Search "Greencastle"] Photo submitted by: Brenda Black h.watson1@comcast.net