Gaston, Joseph. "The Centennial History of Oregon, 1811-1912." Vol. 4. Chicago, Clarke Publishing Co., 1912. p. 715. O. P. MATTOON makes his home in Hebo where he owns four and a half acres of land. In the town he devotes his energies to blacksmithing and not far distant in Tillamook county he owns eighty acres on which he is conducting a dairy business. His dual interests, carefully managed, are bringing to him substantial returns. He was born in Lagrange county, Indiana, September 10, 1841, a son of Abel and Sarah Maria (Lewis) Mattoon. Both were natives of Ohio in which state they were reared and married, removing thence to Indiana where the father engaged in general farming until 1847. He then sold his property there and started for Oregon with ox teams. It was a long and arduous journey across the state of Illinois, then to the other side of the Mississippi and on over prairies and plains and through the mountain passes until nine months were consumed on the way. They spent the first winter at Oregon City, after which the father secured a homestead claim upon which he resided until 1880. In that year he sold his property and removed to Oregon City, making his home with his son, O. P. Mattoon, until his death which occurred in 1889 when eighty-one years of age. His wife passed away three years later. In their family were nine children of whom eight are living: John Prentiss, a resident of Yakima, Washington; O. P., of this review; Rosilla, the wife of William Hughes, of Palouse. Washington; Orilla, the twin sister of Rosilla and the wife of Newton Walker, of Oregon; William Henry, of Clackamas county, Oregon; Newton Wheeler, who is living in Idaho; Leander, a resident of Oregon City; and Clarice, the wife of Charles Gale, of Newberg, Oregon. The second child, Mrs. Melinda Dubois, is deceased. O. P. Mattoon was a lad of six years when he started to Oregon but still remembers many incidents on the long journey, the family sharing in the usual hardships and privations of the trip across the plains. He pursued his education in the schools of Oregon City and at the age of eighteen years began learning the blacksmith's trade which he followed until 1910. For ten years he resided in Oregon City and then came to Tillamook county, casting in his lot with the representatives of its agricultural interests by purchasing eighty acres of land a mile and a half south of Hebo. Upon that property he is conducting a dairy business, keeping a number of good cows and finding a ready sale for his product. He also conducts a blacksmith shop in the town where he has four and a half acres of land, and to this work he gives the greater part of his time and attention, leaving the dairy and farm to the management of his son. In 1867 Mr. Mattoon was united in marriage to Miss Emma Lenora Dixon, who was born in Wisconsin and in 1865 came to Oregon with her parents, who located in Clackamas county, although both died in Washington. Mr. and Mrs. Mattoon became the parents of eight children: Edwin Adelbert, who when last heard from in 1891 was in Montana; Joel Abel, deceased; Lewis Clifton and Roy William, both residents of Tillamook county; Guy, who is living on his father's farm in the same county; James Perry, of Hebo; Jessie, deceased; and Oliver, of Tillamook county. In his political faith Mr. Mattoon holds to the views of the socialist party but does not desire nor seek office, feeling that his time and energies are fully occupied in the conduct of his business interests. He has worked diligently and persistently and it has been through his untiring industry that he has won for himself a place among the substantial citizens of Tillamook county. ******************* Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in January 2007 by Diana Smith. Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.