Ozias Mather Hatch (Bateman, 1907)

HATCH, Ozias Mather, Secretary of the State of Illinois (1857-'65). was born at Hillsborough Center, N. H., April 11, 1814, and removed to Origgsville. 111., in 1886. In 1829 he began life as a clerk for a wholesale and retail grocer in Boston. From 1836 to 1841 he was engaged in store- keeping at Origgsville. In the latter year he was appointed Circuit Court Clerk of Pike County, holding the office seven years. In 1858 he again embarked in business at Meredosia, 111. In 1850 he was elected to the Legislature, serving one term. An earnest anti-slavery man, he was, in 1856, nominated by the newly organized Republican party for Secretary of State and elected, being re-elected in 1860. on the same ticket with Mr. Lincoln, of whom he was a warm personal friend and admirer. During the war he gave a zealous and effective support to Governor Yates' administration. In 1864 he declined a renonii- nation and retired from political life. He was an original and active member of the Lincoln Monument Association from its organization in 1865 to his death, and, in company with Gov. R. J. Oglesby, made a canvass of Eastern cities to collect funds for statuary to be placed on the monument. After retiring from office he was interested to some extent in the banking business at Griggs- ville, and was influential in securing the construction of the branch of the Wabash Railway from Naples to Ilannibal, Mo. He was, for over thirty-five years, a resident of Springfield, dying there, March 12, 1893.