His great-grandfather Cherian and his grandfather Chummar had received special privileges (Tharakan title) from the Travancore king, as they were a wealthy family who supported the royalty in times of need.

He was instrumental in converting the first lower-caste family (headed by a man named Habel) to Christianity in Mallapally.

Mathan was also a contemporary of Hermann Gundert, a German priest, who wrote the first dictionary in Malayalam.

Historically, he is also a contemporary of great writers like Mark Twain and Charles Dickens.

While ministering to the people, a full-time job, Mathan found time to write erudite treatises on grammar and local culture.

His other books, sort of longish essays, include, "Satyavadakhedam," "Vedasamyukthi," and "Balabhyasam."

Later on, he became the principal of the CNI, which was instrumental in spreading English-medium education throughout the state of Kerala.