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1907 Past and Present Biographies

G. W. Mattingly

G. W. Mattingly, the oldest and most successful veterinary surgeon in Jefferson, was born at Cumberland, Allegany county, Maryland, in 1845, a son of George and Ann (McCuny) Mattingly, both now deceased. The father conducted a large sawmill near Harpers Ferry and also ran smelting works, where he did work for the Chesapeake canal. He came west to Muscatine, Iowa, in the year 1852 and later went to Davenport, locating finally in Jackson county, where he built a steam sawmill and was engaged in the manufacture of furniture. He took part in the war of 1812, and departed this life at Fulton, Iowa, when he had reached the age of sixty-five years, his wife’s death occurring when she was sixty-one years of age. George Mattingly’s parents were among the very first settlers of Maryland. Mr. and Mrs. George Mattinglv had seven children: John, a resident of Clinton county, Iowa, who served in the Civil war, enlisting in Jackson county in Company D, Twenty-sixth Iowa Infantry; G. W., of this review; M. C., a machinist of Dewitt; T. A., deceased; Richard, also deceased; Francis, who is in the book department of Wanamaker’s store in Philadelphia; and Mary, the wife of Charles Gould, who lives in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. They are the parents of two children, John and George.

G. W. Mattingly received his education in the public schools, assisting his father in his business during the summer vacation. When the war of the Rebellion broke out he enlisted in the Twenty-sixth Iowa Regiment and served as a member of the band until hostilities ceased. When he was mustered out he went directly to Chicago, where he remained until 1879, being first employed at the trade of furniture manufacturing. He was not altogether inexperienced in this business, because while working for his father he had not only learned the painter’s trade but had become proficient in the fine finishing of choice furniture. He was later engaged in the brokerage business with Colonel Elliott on Clark street, carrying on this enterprise for seven years. In 1879 he came to Greene county, Iowa, settling in Jefferson, where he began practice as a veterinary surgeon. This was formerly a profession which required little preparation but the broader knowledge which has been acquired in this line has led Mr. Mattingly to study carefully the comprehensive investigation and research which has been going on, and today he is one of the most successful practitioners of his chosen calling, and is still an earnest and appreciative student, continually adding to his professional knowledge. He first became interested in this line of work with his father-in-law, Austin Partridge, a veterinary of the old school.

Mr. Mattingly was married to Miss Kate Partridge, a native of New York and a daughter of Austin Partridge, a man of large means, who lived in Dewitt, Clinton county, having arrived in Iowa in 1855. Mr. and Mrs. Mattingly are the parents of one son, Charles W., who conducts the Times Gazette at Eagle Grove, Iowa. He has a daughter, Kathleen, who is now twelve years old.

Mr. Mattingly has always given his political support to the men and measures of the republican party and served one term, in 1903-4, as mayor. His wife is a devoted member of the Episcopal church. His devotion to the public good, both in his public office and as a private citizen, has been unquestioned and has arisen from a sincere interest in the welfare of his fellow citizens. He has enjoyed an enviable reputation for honor and reliability and has always been surrounded by a large circle of admiring friends.

Transcribed from "Past and Present of Greene County, Iowa Together With Biographical Sketches of Many of Its Prominent and Leading Citizens and Illustrious Dead,"
by E. B. Stillman assisted by an Advisory Board consisting of Paul E. Stillman, Gillum S. Toliver,
Benjamin F. Osborn, Mahlon Head, P. A. Smith and Lee B. Kinsey, Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1907.

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