Anderson Intelligencer
May 26, 1914
DEATH OF COL. C. S. MATTISON
--------------------
Anderson County
Regimental Commander Who Was Shot Through
The Body In Battle of Seven Pines
(From Anderson Intelligencer at time of his death.)
Col. Chas. S. Mattison died at his residence seven
miles South of Anderson on last Friday morning, in the fifty-first year of his
age, after a protracted illness from Bright’s disease of the kidneys. He had been suffering from this disease for
some four years or more, and during this period received all of the help which
could be rendered him by the ablest physicians, and through his condition at
times slightly improved, there was very little permanent change until last
winter, during the Atlanta exposition, he was taken ill and would not recover
from the attack, which finally terminated his life.
Col. Mattison was one of the most
useful and popular citizens of our county.
He was a man of large means and was always liberal in conferring
benefits and favors upon those around him who might from any cause stand
deserving of assistance. A more generous
and noble-hearted citizen could not be found, and those who knew him were his
warm and devoted friends, willing to go any length to serve or show their
appreciation of him. This rendered him
always strong before the people, and although he was frequently a candidate in
politics and in the military he was never defeated. In the old militia service he was colonel of
the Fourth Regiment, and when the volunteer troops were raised for service he
went into the war as a lieutenant colonel of the famous Fourth Regiment and
served in that capacity until the time of service of that regiment expired when
he was elected colonel of the Fourth Battalion in the reorganization which
followed. He served in this position
until the battle of Seven Pines, at which he was shot through the chest and
permanently disabled. He was a brave
soldier and an efficient officer thoroughly conscientious in the discharge of
his duty, and in full and active sympathy with the cause of his country. He was three times elected to the legislature
from this county, first in 1858, then in 1866 and last in 1878, and after each
of these terms of service, although very popular, he declined re-election. In addition to this Col. Mattison was
frequently elected as a delegate to the state congressional convention of the
democratic party. He was a man of very
fine practical judgment and in every way worthy of the high confidence which
was reposed in him.
In his death our county has lost a
valuable citizen, his community a kind, generous and excellent neighbor. In domestic relation, Col. Mattison was as
affectionate and gentile as a woman. His
was a social nature, which enjoyed company.
Just and upright himself he had no suspicion of other people. His sympathy for all persons, however humble
or from whatever cause they might be unfortunate, made him the friend of those
in every station of life and no person that ever went to him for assistance
departed empty-handed. His deed of benevolence
were many and extensive. He gave
liberally wherever the wants of his fellow men were brought to his attention.
On Saturday morning after
appropriate services at his residence by Rev. G. V. Barnes, his remains were
placed to rest in the family burial ground with Masonic rites in the presence
of a large number of the neighbors and friends of the deceased gathered to
witness the last rites of one they loved and admired in life. In death his memory lingers to be cherished
by all who knew him and censured by none.
No higher tribute could be paid to any man.
