MATSON, John A. - Hon - Putnam

Last Friday morning the citizens of Greencastle were surprised by the intelligence that Hon. John A. Matson had died the night previous, after a very brief illness.  The funeral took place Saturday morning from Roberts Chapel, where Rev. Dr. Bowman preached an impressive sermon from First Corinthians, XV chapter, 56th and 57th verses.  The appeal to the large audience present to live in such a manner that, however suddenly death may come, they would be prepared for the great change and triumph in the final hour, was extremely forcible. Dr. Bowman closed his sermon by reading a short biographical sketch of the deceased, which was in substance as follows:

John Allen Matson was born at North Bend, Hamilton County, Ohio Sept 9, 1810 and lived on a farm with his father until  he was 16 years of age, when he left his home to attend College at the Miami University, Oxford.  He graduated at the Miami University in 1828.  He then read law with Hon. Oliver H. Smith of Connersville, Indian and begun the practice in 1831 at Brookville.  He was married at that place on the 26th day of May 1835 to Margaretta M. Welper. He continued to live in Brookville until the spring of 1850 when he removed to Cincinnati, Ohio.  He lived in that place until the 1st of September 1854, when he removed to his residence near Greencastle, where he continued to live until he died at a quarter before 1 o’clock on the morning of the 15th of July.  He was married twice. His first wife died on the 8th day of August 1862 and he was married to Mary C. Johnson who survives hi on the 17th of Sept 1863.  During the earlier part of his life, he engaged in politics to some extent and twice represented the county of Franklin in this state in the Legislature was three times a candidate on the Whig ticket for Congress in the District in which he lived while at Brookville and in 1849 was a candidate on the same ticket for Governor of Indiana. The last 23 years he devoted himself to the practice of law and to the cultivation of his farm.  He acted with the Republican part after its organization, until the defection of Andrew Johnson since which time he has acted with the Democratic party.

He leaves surviving him one brother, a resident of Boone County, KY and two sisters, Sarah Price and Mary A. Whipple the former a resident of Cincinnati, the later of Springfield, Ohio.  Both sisters were present at the funeral.  He was the father of 7 sons and 7 daughters, by his first wife and one son by his second wife. Five of the daughters are dead, all dying in their infancy.  8 sons and two daughters survive him. Two of his children, the second and third sons are in the West. Winfield Scott until recently an officer in the regular army is now a resident in Denver, Colorado; John A has been for more than three years a resident of Helena City, Montana Territory. The rest of the family were at the funeral.

His disease was inflammation of the brain and although he had been complaining for some time, he was seriously ill only 21 hours. Mr. Matson was kind and considerate to all with whom he came in contact and was an excellent husband, father and neighbor. Young members of the profession could always rely upon him for information and words of cheer.  He took a lively interest in every movement having for its object the building up of the community in which he lived. About 30 years ago, under the influence of his excellent wife, he joined the Methodist Church and at the time of his death was a member of Roberts Chapel.  His remains were entered in Forest Hill Cemetery, leading member of the bar acting as  pall bearers   = transcribed by kbz