Anthony J. Mattson was born in Crawford county, Pennsylvania, December 23, 1818, about one mile from the Erie county line. His father was a native of Scotland, and his mother of Ireland. When about three years of age, his parents moved to Erie county, Pennsylvania. Before he had attained the age of six years his mother died, and before he was twelve years of age he left home, going out into the wide world for himself, for thenceforth he was to be his own master, and dependent upon his own labor for the supply of his wants. He came to Prophetstown in 1838, and although but nineteen had travelled quite extensively to the east as far as New York and Philadelphia; south as far as Vicksburg, and west to St. Louis. He came to Prophetstown byway of St.Louis, Peoria, and Knoxville, arriving on the 23d of June, and soon after engaged in mechanical pursuits to which his tastes led, and for which nature had happily endowed him, having given a mind to plan, and a hand to execute its beh! ests. On the 9th of April, 1840, he was married to Miss Lucy B. Minchin, a native of Vermont, and a lady possessing all the gifts and graces for which the fair daughters of that renowned State are celebrated. But one child was born to this union - Alice, born August 17, 1843. She died July 20, 1844, and gloom for a time darkened the otherwise happy home of the parents. Time brought changes. The country improved; business revived after the depression consequent upon the visionary schemes and lunatic financiering of 1839-'40, and a brighter future opened. In 1848, Mr. Mattson was appointed Postmaster at Prophetstown, and in 1852 opened a small store and continued in this business until the beginning of 1855. In April of that year he entered into the banking business, in which he was actively engaged until he was burned out. Be- tween 1853 and 1860 he devoted much time and effort toward securing the construction of a railway to Prophetstown, so as to give it an outlet to Chicag! o and St. Louis. From almost the time when Mr. Mattson first became a resident of Prophetstown, he conceived the idea of having it connected with the grain markets by railway, but did not actively engage in the work to secure this end until 1853; when he concluded that in order to accomplish the object, a strong effort must be made, and hard work done. For nearly twenty years, commencing with the Sheffield & Savanna Railway enterprise, and shortly after that taking up the Camanche, Albany & Mendota, he labored persistently and un-swervingly for the construction of a railroad which would reach Prophetstown. Finally he had his reward, when, In March, 1871, the Grand Trunk Railway, owned and operated by the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy R. R. Company, was completed to Prophetstown. To no man are the citizens of Prophetstown, or those of other towns along the line of this road from Mendota to the Mississippi river, more indebted for the building of the road, than to A. J. Mattson! . His constant aim was to benefit the south side of Rock river, then without railroad facilities. To the interests of the people benefited by this road he always acted with consistency and strict fidelity, and it is but due to him in this biographical sketch to award him that meed of praise, for securing the accomplishment of this object so munificent in its results to the people, which so eminently belongs to him. On the breaking out of the war Mr. Mattson was appointed enrolling officer for Whiteside county, by Governor Yates, and was afterwards appointed Deputy Provost Marshal under Capt. John V. Eustace, which positions he filled to the satisfaction of all. He then received the appointment of Chief Clerk in the U. S. Revenue Assessor's office, for the Third District of Illinois, A. J. Warner, Assessor. In 1856, he was appointed Notary Public, and in the spring of 1859 elected Justice of the Peace, to which latter place he has been re-elected ever since, the best possible! evidence that his course has been acceptable to his fellow citizens. The First National Bank of Prophetstown was organized in 1872, with a capital of $50,000 - Nathan Thompson, President, and A. J. Mattson, Cashier. This position Mr. Mattson has since filled, and its duties, in connection with his official business, occupies his time, and leaves little opportunity for other pursuits. For four successive years he was an active official member of the State Board of Agriculture, serving with credit to himself, and benefit to the State. Mr. Mattson has built up an enviable reputation as a citizen and a man of business, and occupies a prominent position in the community in which he resides.
Bent & Wilson History of Whiteside County Page 379-380
