Sedgwick County KSGenWeb

Portrait And Biographical Album of Sedgwick County, Kan.

Chapman Brothers 1888

Pages 568 - 571 

CHARLES A. MATKIN, one of the substantial business men of Wichita, and representing some of its choicest property, is a real estate dealer experienced and successful, and contributes his full quota to the financial progress of Sedgwick County. The scion of an old American family of English descent, he first opened his eyes to the light in Greencastle, Putnam Co., Ind., in 1854, and passed the uneventful life of a farmer's boy until old enough to start in business for himself.

            The first outside venture of our subject was at photographing, of which business he gained a good knowledge, but the constant inhaling of chemicals and the unaccustomed confinement resulted in ill-health, and he was obliged to abandon it. He next embarked in the grocery business, where he accumulated the nucleus of his present fortune, and in 1884 came to this county and invested his capital in real estate in the city of Wichita. He occupies one of the finest homes within its limits, and in addition to his own residence has built five houses, erecting the first dwelling south of the railroad on South Topeka avenue. He has the reputation of being a careful and reliable business man, and one in whom the community has abundant confidence.

            The parental history of our subject is of more than ordinary interest. His parents were Isaac and Ellen (Greenlee) Matkin, the former born in Orange County, N. C., about the year 1800. He was married in his native State, where he had been reared to farming pursuits, and soon emigrated to Indiana, and settled in Putnam County about 1821. He was one of the earliest pioneers of that section, and pre-empted land over which the Indians had not yet ceased to stroll. In the erection of his first dwelling, a log cabin, he was assisted by them, paying them for their labor in turnips. Through fear of these, who were not always friendly, he slept with his loaded gun by his side, and almost literally "one eye open" for fear of surprisal and attack.

            In those early days there were no towns in the whole Territory of Indiana -- only a few settlements which could scarcely be dignified even by this name. The father of our subject was obliged to go to mill to Cincinnati, making the long journey sometimes over almost impassable roads with a four-horse team twice a year. For his protection he kept a large kennel of dogs, having sometimes as many as eight of these animals, who were thoroughly trained in the duties expected of them. Upon one occasion at night he was awakened by their unusual barking at a distance, and making his way to the spot found a panther which they had treed. He fired and wounded the animal, but in the meantime before it died it had killed six of his dogs. Many were the thrilling scenes which the old pioneer and his family passed through, but it developed in their children the elements of courage and endurance, which constituted them brave and courageous to meet whatever came to them in their after life.

            Isaac Matkin married for his first wife a lady who became the mother of ten children, but three only of whom are now living, namely: John, Lizzie and William, and who are residents of Indiana. The mother died at the homestead in Indiana, and the father of our subject was subsequently married to Miss Ellen Greenlee, who was born in Marietta, Ohio, and of Scotch descent. Of this union there were five children, of whom but two are now living -- Simpson, a resident of Wichita, and Charles A., of our sketch. The father finally left his home in the country and took up his abode in Greencastle, Ind., where he spent his last years and died about 1861. His industrious labors as a pioneer had been richly rewarded, and his estate at his death was valued at $50,000. He owned two farms in Putnam County, Ind., and put up a business block and three residences in Greencastle.

            When the father of our subject emigrated overland from North Carolina to Indiana, he had but one horse and a wagon with which to transport his household goods. Although a man of limited. education, he was very intelligent and capable, and fully alive to the importance of those enterprises calculated to build up and advance the interests of a new country. He became prominent in Putnam County, liberal and public-spirited, a member of the Methodist Church and one of the Trustees of Asbury University. After the labors of a long and busy life, he looked his last upon earthly scenes in the spring of 1861. The mother lives in Indianapolis, Ind.

            Our subject, while a resident of Indiana, was united in marriage with Miss Linnie, daughter of Calvin and Lizzie (Miller) Albin, whose parents were natives of Indiana. Mrs. Matkin was born in October, 1857, in Indiana. Our subject and his wife have no children.

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