JOHN H. MATKIN
John
H. Matkin, who for sixteen years was closely and influentially
connected with business interests of Seymour and previous to
that time a prominent factor in agricultural circles of Wayne
county, is living retired, having won ease, rest and comfort
by straightforward and worthy work in the past. He was born in
Putnam county, Indiana, in April, 1849, and is a son of John
R. and Elizabeth (Woolrey) Matkin, natives of the same
section. On the
paternal side Mr. Matkin is of Irish ancestry but his maternal
ancestors were of Dutch and Welsh descent. The father of our
subject left Indiana at an early date and brought his family
to Illinois, where he engaged in farming successfully for
three years. In
1854 he came to Appanoose county among the early settlers and
there entered government land, acquiring over four hundred
acres which he developed and improved until his retirement. He moved into
Seymour eventually and purchased forty acres just adjoining
the town, upon which he lived until his death, which occurred
on the 19th of November, 1906. His town property
has now all been sold as residence lots. John R. Matkin was
during his life one of the most prominent and successful men
in this part of Iowa and naturally was brought into important
relations with the public life of his community. For two terms he
served as mayor of Seymour upon the republican ticket, giving
to the city a straightforward, progressive and businesslike
administration. Fraternally
he was connected with the Masonic order, holding membership in
the lodge, and his religious views were in accord with the
doctrines of the Methodist church. He was married four times and became the
father of seven children, of whom only three are now living.
John
H. Matkin acquired his education in the public schools of Iowa
and spent his childhood upon his father’s farm. When he began his
active career he purchased two hundred acres of the old
homestead and upon this tract of land engaged successfully in
general agricultural pursuits until 1885, when he moved into
Seymour in order to engage in business. For sixteen years
thereafter he was prominent in business circles of the
community, for he soon proved himself resourceful and reliable
and able to carry forward to successful completion the
projects which he undertook.
At first he opened a restaurant but disposed of this in
order to conduct a grocery store and finally he became the
proprietor of one of the finest general merchandise
establishments in the city.
All of his business affairs were conducted in a
straightforward and progressive way and as a result Mr. Matkin
acquired a substantial fortune which has enabled him to retire
and spend the later years of his life in ease and comfort. In Seymour he built
a beautiful home in which he resides and which he has made a
hospitable meeting place for his many friends. During the period
of his residence here he has erected and sold a great number
of residences and business buildings and has also dealt
extensively in city property.
Mr. Matkin has been married three times. His first union occurred on the 19th of June, 1870, when he wedded Miss Catherine Manning, who died on the 9th of April, 1877. On March 6, 1880, Mr. Matkin married Miss Sarah Runnells, who passed away on the 22d of July, 1887. Mr. Matkin’s third marriage occurred on June 19, 1910, when he wedded Miss Melissa Walters, of Seymour. He is the father of three children by his first wife and two by his second union, all of whom are now deceased except Mrs. Augustus Erwin, who resides in Washington. Mr. and Mrs. Matkin are devout members of the Methodist church. Mr. Matkin gives his allegiance to the republican party and takes an active interest in the affairs of the community, although this never takes the form of office seeking. He is a man of keen business insight and progressive spirit and these qualities, which have dominated and influenced his business career, have been the chief factors in gaining for him the rest and retirement he is now enjoying.