The subject of this sketch was born in Essex County, England, on the 3d of December, 1840, and continued to reside there till his fourteenth year, when his parents immigrated to America, bringing him with them. They landed in New York, but soon went to Cornwall, Canada. The father took a contract of track-laying on the Grand Trunk Railroad, in Canada, and Benjamin was his time-keeper. From there the latter went to Indiana, where he finished his education in a select school under John Loyd. In August, 1861, he enlisted, for national preservation, in Company C, of the Twenty-ninth Indiana Volunteer Infantry. On arriving at Nolan, Kentucky, he. was appointed spy in the service of Gen. McCook and served in that capacity and in the signal service till his discharge in 1863. Physical disability was the cause of his discharge, and he returned to Indiana. While serving as a spy, Mr. Matchett visited Bacon Creek, Mumfordville, Bowling Green and Chattanooga. On returning to Indiana he was appointed deputy provost marshal, under General William Wallace, which position he resigned in 1864. In the following spring he went to Kankakee County, Illinois, where he commenced farming, and continued until the fall of 1865. In the spring of 1866-he came to Daviess County, where he has ever since remained. For four years he engaged in farming and then entered the ministry, and has been preaching ever since.
Mr. Matchett was married, in Indiana, December 13, 1863, to Miss Alida Munn, and is the father of six children. Mr. Matchett has labored as a minister of the glad tidings of gospel salvation in three States, and many souls have been enrolled in the army of the Lord through his efforts.