E. Dow Matheny, the 12^th Circuit Clerk of Sangamon County, was born, raised, and died in Springfield, IL.

Matheny received a public education, graduating from Springfield High School in 1868. After this, Matheny studied law and was admitted to the bar sometime afterward, although the exact year was not given.

Edward Dow Matheny, born December 4, 1847, studied law with his father, and was a member of the law firm of Matheny, McGuire and Matheny, Springfield, Illinois. 

Matheny married Miss E. Caddie Priest in January of 1880, and the two were “earnest members of the Christian church”. E Dow Matheny was known as a “staunch democrat” and “made a host of friends by his courtesy and efforts to assist all who had business with the court.”

In 1896, Matheny was elected as the only democrat in Sangamon County. He was a member of the “Royal Circle” of Springfield, as his grandfather was Charles R Matheny, one of the first settlers of Sangamon County in 1820, as well as the first circuit clerk of Sangamon County.

The Illinois State Register page 133. Accessed August 9, 2011. Sangamon Valley Collection, Lincoln Library.

Savannah Little researcher

The Circuit Clerk Lookup System may be
unavailable periodically for maintenance.

All fees collected by the Circuit Clerk are mandated by law.

Main Phone
217 753-6674

circuitclerk@co.sangamon.il.us

The Circuit Clerk Lookup System may be
unavailable periodically for maintenance.

All fees collected by the Circuit Clerk are mandated by law.

Main Phone
217 753-6674

Contact Us by Email
circuitclerk@sangamonil.gov