Courtland C. Matson

Who was Courtland C. Matson?

Courtland Cushing Matson was a U.S. Representative from Indiana.

Born in Brookville, Indiana, Matson was graduated from Indiana Asbury University in 1862. During the Civil War enlisted as a private in the Sixteenth Regiment, Indiana Volunteers. After one year's service entered the Sixth Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Cavalry, and served until October 1865, and was subsequently promoted to the rank of colonel. He studied law. He was admitted to the bar and commenced practice in Greencastle, Indiana. He was three times elected prosecuting attorney of the county. He served as chairman of the Democratic State central committee in 1878.

Matson was elected as a Democrat to the Forty-seventh and to the three succeeding Congresses. He served as chairman of the Committee on Invalid Pensions. He was not a candidate for renomination. He was an unsuccessful Democratic candidate for Governor of Indiana in 1888. He resumed the practice of law in Greencastle, Indiana. He served as member of the board of tax commissioners 1909-1913. He died in Chicago, Illinois, September 4, 1915. He was interred in Forest Hill Cemetery, Greencastle, Indiana.