Melvin, Matthew J.

MELVIN, ROGAN, RIMMER

Posted By: Volunteer Subscribers
Date: 2/18/2003 at 09:40:37

1911 Biographical Index to Wolfe's History of Clinton County Iowa, by P. B. Wolfe., pgs 803-804
MATTHEW J. MELVIN
The gentleman to whom the biographer now calls the reader's attention was not favored by inherited wealth or the assistance of influential friends, but in spite of this, by perseverance, industry and wise economy, he has attained a comfortable station in life and is well and favorably known in business, social and other circles of Clinton, as a result of the industrious life he has lived here and the consistent course he has followed.
Matthew J. Melvin, a thrifty grocer of this city, was born in Delaware City, Delaware, December 6, 1856. He is the son of Owen and Bridget (Rogan) Melvin, who were both born in county Sligo, Ireland, where they grew to maturity, were educated and where they married young in life, soon afterwards moving to Scotland where they lived a few years, Mr. Melvin working as a general laborer. In 1854 they emigrated to America and located in Delaware City, Delaware, where they were soon the owners of a comfortable home. During the Civil war, Mr. Melvin assisted in building a number of fortifications for the Union, especially in the vicinity of Delaware City and at Key West, Florida, also other similar work for the United States government. In 1863 he and his family moved to Clinton county, Iowa, where he continued to reside until his death in 1901. His wife is also dead. He was a stanch and ironclad Democrat in political affairs, and he and his wife were members of the Roman Catholic church. They were the parents of only two children, Matthew J. of this review, and a daughter, Catherine, who married Peter Rimmer, of Clinton, Iowa. This couple died, leaving two children, Helen, who now lives with Matthew J. Melvin, of this review, and teaches school; and Lawrence, who now carries on a transfer business in Clinton.
Matthew J. Melvin received his early education in the common schools of Clinton county and then attended the Metropolitan College at Chicago, taking a general business course. Thus well equipped for a business career and inclining toward a mercantile life, he began clerking in a retail grocery store in Chicago and there learned the foundations of the mercantile business. He remained in Chicago eleven years, then came to Clinton, Iowa, and worked in the Callan grocery store for sixteen years, giving entire satisfaction as a courteous and able clerk, popular with the patrons of the store. In 1907 he bought out his employer at No. 914 South Fourth street, Clinton, and has since been successfully engaged in the grocery business at this place, having one of the best known and best stocked stores in the city, which is patronized by the best people in this vicinity.
Mr. Melvin is a Democrat, but has never aspired to offices of public trust and emolument. He is a member of the Catholic church and the Knights of Columbus, also the Catholic Order of Foresters.
Mr. Melvin was married on April 30, 1886, to Mary Rogan, who was born in Chicago, on May 1, 1859, the daughter of William and Sarah Rogan, natives of Ireland. Mrs. Melvin died on her birthday, when only twenty-nine years old. She was an estimable character and had hosts of friends. One child born to this union died when very young.
Mr. Melvin is known to the business world here as a man whose integrity is unassailable and he has the undivided respect of all who know him.