Mattoon, IL

MATTOON   A post village of Coles county, at the intersection of the Illinois Central (Chicago branch) and the Terre Haute, Alton and St. Louis railroad, 172 miles from Chicago and 130 miles from St. Louis. During the last year over one hundred and fifty houses have been built here; among them is a large brick church (Methodist), a fine hotel, and a very large business house. A male and female academy is located here under judicious management. Population,1,200. David J. Connolly, Postmaster.  
(Hawes' Illinois State Gazetteer..., 1859)