alonzo mather was born in fairfield, new york, in 1848; the second son of dr. william mather and mary ann (buell) mather. his father was a noted professor who traveled extensively, leaving his mother to raise him and his siblings. however, although dr. mather was away from home frequently for extended periods of time, he corresponded often with his family by mail. alonzo mather was a direct descendant of the reverend richard mather, grandfather of cotton mather.