'History of Franklin County, Indiana; Her People, Industries and
Institutions. By August J. Reifel - 1915: Page1372-1374
JOHN MATHEWS
Manhood is tested many times in many different ways. There is hardly a man
who has reached a mature age, who has not been called on, at some time or
other, to confront a situation which tested his manhood and courage to the
limit. War is the greater maker of heroes, as the opportunities for heroic
self-sacrifice is ever present on the battle field. The Civil War called to
its standard the best manhood America had. The sons of the North and the
sons of the South met in sanguinary conflict for more than four years. To
the credit of the losers of this great struggle, let it be said they were
worthy foemen. The victors of this well-earned victory returned amid the
plaudits of their countrymen and again engaged in peaceful pursuits for
peace hath her victories no less renounced than war." Franklin County,
Indiana, sent its quota of volunteers to the defense of its country and
among the veterans of that great war now living in this county is John
Mathews of Metamora Township.
John Mathews was born December 21, 1843, in Metamora Township, Franklin
County, Indiana, the son of Samual and Miriam (Sherwood) Mathews.
Samuel Mathews, the father was born in New York State, the son of John and
Phoebe (Pond) Mathews. When he was a small boy his parents left their
native state of New York and moved to Indiana, where they located in
Metamora Township, in Franklin County. They settled on a farm where they
lived for many years. The other children of John and Phoebe Mathews were
Stephen, Vincent, Henry, James, Arvilla, Mary, Elizabeth and Emily. Samuel
was educated in the public schools of Metamora Township and also attended
the Butler Township schools. When he attained young manhood he began life
as a farm laborer, working by the day. He was married twice, his first wife
being Miriam Sherwood. Shortly after his marriage to Miss Sherwood he
purchased forty acres of land to which he moved. By this marriage he had
the following children: William, Stephen, David, Maria, Samuel, Catherine,
Ella, Phoebe Ann, who died young; Elizabeth (deceased), and Belle. Samuel
Mathews died January 5, 1885. He was an active man during his lifetime and
was gifted with great energy. He was a devoted husband, a good father and
revered by all his neighbors.
John Mathews was educated in the public schools of Metamora Township. At
the age of eighteen he answered his country's call for volunteers and on
August 19, 1862, he enlisted in the Sixty-eighth Indiana Regiment Volunteer
Infantry. On December 16, 1862, by order of the war department he was
transferred to the Nineteenth United States Infantry, and served in Company
A and then in Company C of that regiment. He participated in the battles of
Munfordsville, Kentucky, Hover's Gap, Chickamauga, Mission Ridge, Buzzard's
Roost, Kenesaw Mountain, Peachtree Creek, Atlanta and Jonesboro. He was
never absent from active service during these engagements. During the
battle of Chickamauga a shell burst directly over him, a fragment of which
grazed his skull and rendered him insensible. His captain thought he was
killed but in a short time he had regained his feet and again staggered into
the battle in spite of orders to go to the rear. This was a deed of courage
for which he was afterwards warmly commended by his superiors. He has never
fully recovered from this injury and the shock received at that time. In
1865 he received his honorable discharge. This discharge was given him on
Lookout Mountain, the place of a famous battle. Incorporated in this
discharge was mention of his honorable and courageous service and valiant
conduct on the field of battle. While in the battle of Munfordsville,
Kentucky, he was taken prisoner, but was soon exchanged and returned to
service.
After the close of the war, John Mathews returned to the home of his father,
with whom he lived for six years. He married Evelyn Cooper, of Charlestown,
Illinois, who was born December 20, 1847. Her parents were Jeremiah and
Talitha (Hughlin) Cooper. Her father was born in North Carolina, was
married three times and was the father of fifteen children and lived to be
one hundred and eight years old.
To John and Evelyn (Cooper) Mathews were born: Elmer E., born in 1872, died
in infancy; Samuel, born in 1873, died in infancy; James Monroe, born in
1874, died at the age of thirty-six. James M. was married twice, his first
wif being Anna Jones, to which union were born two children -- Myrtle Belle
and harold M. The second wife of James M. Mathews was Catherine Wybrew, to
whom was born one child, Mary Marie. Oscar A., the fourth child of John
Mathews, was born December 30, 1876; Flora (deceased), was born February,
1879, and married William Maley and had the following children: Roy,
Blanche E. and Golda. Walter F., the sixth child of John Mathews, was born
August 17, 1880, and married Amy Smith, to whom were born two children,
Roland L. and Ralph.
John Mathews has owned the farm he now lives on, which consists of eighty
acres in Metamora Township, for nearly thirty years. Mr. Mathews has an
interesting personality. He is beloved by all who know him. He loves to
recount the stirring tales of the days when the boys in blue rushed into the
fire of the enemy and he recalls vividly many stirring incidents of the
great battles of the war. He remembers the minutest details of every battle
in which he participated and delights to recall those stirring days which
tested the hearts and courage of Columbia's sons and daughters. Mr. Mathews
it is needless to say, is very popular throughout Franklin County, where
he
is held in the highest regard by a vast number of friends.
His family tree shows several remarkable facts. On January 3, 1915, was
born William Loyd Hofer, a great-grandson of John Mathews and wife. He is a
son of August and Myrtle B. (Mathews) Hofer. Myrtle B. is a daughter of
James Monroe Mathews, a son of John Mathews. The great-grandchild has
living three great-grandfathers and three great-grandmothers, and the other
great-grandfather and great-grandmother died only recently, the ages of
those living aggregating over four hundred years.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Copied by Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert
Thought someone might be interested in this.