Stephen Mattoon

Stephen Mattoon (May 5, 1816 – 1889) was an American Presbyterian missionary who worked in Siam from 1847 to 1864. His works include the translation of the New Testament into the Thai language.

Stephen Mattoon
Missionary to Siam (Thailand)
Born	(1816-05-05)May 5, 1816 Champion, New York
Died	August 15, 1889(1889-08-15) (aged 73) America
Nationality	American
Years active	1847 – 1885
Organization	Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
Known for	Missionary to Siam Translate the New Testament (Siamese language) First U.S.A. Consul to Siam (appoints)
Spouse(s)	Mary Lourie Mattoon, m. 1846
Children	son George Lourie MATTOON (1850 – 1851) daughter Mary Lourie Mattoon (1854 – ) daughter Emma Williams Mattoon (1857 – 1931)
Parent(s)	Mr. Gershom Mattoon & Mrs. Anna Nancy Sayre Mattoon[1]

Career

Mattoon served as a translator for Townsend Harris in spring 1856. Harris stopped in Siam to update the treaty between the US and Siam. Harris then proceeded to Japan for his appointment as envoy. Mattoon was then appointed as the first consul from the United States in Siam.^[2]

After returning to the U.S., Mattoon was appointed in 1870 as the first President of Johnson C. Smith University, which was known as the Biddle Memorial Institute in 1870 and then as Biddle University during his tenure as president, till 1884.^[3] Mattoon's grandson Norman Thomas was the Socialist Party candidate for President six times.^[4]