Grundy County IL Archives Biographies.....Matteson, Eugene W 
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Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com May 13, 2006, 7:09 pm

Author: History of Grundy County, 1914

MATTESON, Story Hibbard (deceased) — In the life and achievements of the late 
Story Hibbard Matteson, whose death occurred at his home in Morris, April 8, 
1913, there is found something worthy of emulation by every aspiring youth — 
somethlng of a nature encouraging to those who are struggling, without means 
or influence, to gain a position and fortune among their fellows. From a 
penniless farm laborer he worked his way steadily to the position of being one 
of the larger land holders of Grundy County and to the directing head of a 
number of his community’s most important enterprises, at all times holding the 
respect and esteem of those about him. Although living retired at the time of 
his death, having reached the age of seventy-four years, he still took an 
active interest in all that affected the welfare of Morris, and could be 
depended upon to support both with his means and influence any movement making 
for the general good of its people.  

Story Hibbard Matteson was born at Lapeer, Lapeer County, Mich., February 15, 
1839, a son of Beriah H. and Susan (Jones) Matteson, natives, respectively, of 
Canada and New York State. The parents were married in the latter locality, 
and settled in Michigan during early wedded life, remaining there on a farm 
until 1866, when they disposed of their property and went to Wisconsin. There 
they continued seven years, when once more they sold out and moved to Morris, 
where they passed the remainder of their lives. Story H. Matteson received an 
ordinary education in the district schools of Lapeer County, Mich., and when 
twenty-two years of age left home and came to Morris. Ill. He was practically 
penniless and with no influential friends, but soon obtained work on a farm 
and continued at the same occupation for three years. At the end of that time 
he was allowed to work on shares, and by industry and frugal living he was 
able to accumulate something over $1,000, with which he made a payment on 160 
acres of land, at $40 an acre.  After his marriage, he rented land for one 
year and then operated some property owned by his father-in-law. At the time 
of the latter’s death, Mrs. Matteson inherited 640 acres of land in Saratoga 
Township, and to this Mr. Matteson subsequently added until there were 1000 
acres in this farm, all lying in Grundy County. He was also the owner of 
several hundred acres of land in Johnson County, Mo. In 1898 he retired from 
his agricultural operations and moved to Morris, where he maintained his home 
up to the time of his death. His connection with large business and financial 
enterprises was extended. He was one of the organizers of the Morris Grain 
Company, of which he was the president from the time of its inception, and 
associated with him in this enterprise as the directors of tile company were 
J.A. Wilson, 0. T. Wilson, J. M. Pattison, J. R. Collins, O. E. Collins and 
Cryder Collins. The company owned and operated two elevators and handled 
immense amounts of grain annually. He was one of the directing officers of the 
Grundy County Bank and of the Farmers and Merchants Bank, at Morris, and was 
the owner of the largest amount of stock and outstanding securities of the 
Gazette, published here. A man of peculiarities and pronounced feeling in many 
ways, those who knew him best found him a man of large heart and deep 
sympathy, ready to give a helping hand upon occasion when he was, perhaps, the 
only one. During the week prior to his death he was one of the committee 
soliciting funds for the flood sufferers. He contributed to tile successful 
growth of the city in many ways. Politically he was always a Democrat, and at 
one time was a member of the Morris city council, although office holding did 
not appeal strongly to him. A high Mason. he attained to the thirty-second 
degree, belonged to Medinah Temple of tile Mystic Shrine of Chicago, held 
membership in the Eastern Star of Morris, and his funeral was in charge of the 
Knights Templar Commandery.

While he had been attending to his ordinary affairs and had been about the 
streets right along, members of the family knew he was in ill health and had 
been worried about him. On the morning of April 8, 1913, while seated at the 
breakfast table, he was stricken, and not long thereafter he passed away, 
after several minutes of peaceful sleep. His death caused universal sorrow in 
Morris. The Gazette, speaking editorially, said in part: “Three-quarters of a 
century ago Story H. Matteson came into this world. Yesterday his soul passed 
back again into that great unknown. The seventy-four intervening years, which 
saw his rise from a poor boy to a man of influence in the community, marked 
him as an exceptional character, one in whom the good predominated to a marked 
degree and one who made the world better because of his having lived in it.

The book of life contains few pages as spotless as that on which is chronicled 
the earthly career of Story H. Matteson and as we stand beside his bier for a 
last look upon that which was mortal, we know that He who doeth all things 
well, recognizes better than it is possible for mortal man, the beauty of his 
character, and the angels in heaven are rejoicing over another spirit come 
home.

On December 25, 1965, Mr. Matteson was married to Miss Virginia Collins, who 
was born in Saratoga Township, Grundy County, Ill., daughter of Joseph and 
Harriet (Cryder) Collins, pioneers of this county.  Mr. and Mrs. Matteson 
became the parents of the following children:  William E., who is a resident 
of Saratoga Township; Grace, who is Mrs. John Craig, of that township; Story 
J., Jr., also residing there; Cora, who is Mrs. J.D. McKeen, of Morris; 
Hattie, residing at home; Jennie, now Mrs. E.E. Quigley, of Regina, Canada; 
and Cryder, a resident of Saratoga Township.

pages 863-864

Additional Comments:
Source:  History of Grundy County, Illinois, Chicago: Munsell Publishing Co. 
Publishers; 1914

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