S. VAN MATRE, dealer in sewing machines and sewing-machine parts, Allen's Block, School street; was born on June 29, 1851, in Oneco Township, Stephenson Co., 111., where he engaged in farming; from Oneco he removed to Monroe, 111., where he attended school and afterward traveled for the Remington Sewing Machine Co. for one year, then went to Iowa and Ottawa, 111., in the interest of the Singer Sewing Machine ; then returned to Monroe and engaged in the business of repairing sewing machines; from Monroe he removed to Beloit and engaged in same business until September, 1878, when he obtained the agency of the following companies: The New Home, Singer, Wheeler & Wilson No. 8, Wilson and Howe ; this business he is now carrying on with success, selling on an average twenty machines