HON. MATHEW LANGSTON
Page 183

The somewhat eventful history of the present subject compels more than usual brevity. He was born in Rutherford county, Tenn., June 24, 1824, and removed with his parents to Missouri, at an early age, and from Missouri to Illinois, in 1828, and settled in Morgan county. From there he removed to Mason county, in 1850. He was the first justice of the peace in Egypt precinct, now Manito township, elected in 1852, and frequently re-elected thereafter. When township organization was adopted, in 1862, he was elected first supervisor from Manito township. He was mustered into the United States service, as Captain of Co. A, 85th Ill. Vol. Inf., August 27, 1862, (see roster of that regiment, in military department of this work,) where he served creditably and acceptably, and resigned, Jan. 11, 1863. Mr. Langston had also seen military service in the Mexican war for one year, having enlisted at Winchester, Illinois, June 23, 1846, and was in the memorable battle of Buena Vista, where his company suffered severely. Some details of the organization and leaving home of the company of Capt. Langston, in 1862, we have been unable to obtain, but were published in the papers of Tazewell county at the time. We refer to some peculiarly happy remarks by the Captain, on the occasion of a flag presentation to his company. He was elected a member of the 27th General Assembly, and has served as county judge, and all the home offices pertaining to townships, schools and corporations. He removed to Kansas, in October, 1873, and, like all who leave Mason county, he returned to make it his lifelong home, Feb. 24, 1875. This matter of emigrants from Mason county returning here for a permanent home, has become proverbial. We bid them good-bye, knowing we shall soon hail their return. The manner in which Mr. Langston discharged his official duties is best illustrated by his continued and frequent re-election. The estimation placed on him by his friends is told in the fact of his invariable promotions to higher and more responsible positions. When stubborn, rigid facts in a man's history is flattering to him, then, and then only, is he flattered in this work. This is the case with our subject. The acts of his life are their most eloquent encomium.

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