District: 2
Hometown: Ardmore, Oklahoma; Carter County
Birthplace: Greencastle, Indiana
Spouse: Jane Gwin Matson
Smith C. Matson graduated from Depew University. He then studied law and was admitted to the bar. In 1896 he was appointed deputy prosecutor for Indiana’s 13th Judicial district. He later served as the 13th Judicial District’s prosecuting attorney.
In 1906 Matson moved to Ardmore, Indian Territory. He was elected assistant county attorney of Carter County and later became assistant attorney general.
He was appointed to the Court of Criminal Appeals to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Rutherford Brett and he served on the court through 1924. Matson was a 32nd Degree Mason, a member of Elks Lodge and Phi Delta Theta fraternity.