'History of Franklin County, Indiana; Her People, Industries and
Institutions' - 1915: Page 681-683
CHARLES MATHEWS
In this review of the histories of Franklin County's noted citizens a number
of families stand out distinctly. Franklin County's sons and daughters have
made their mark in the world, not a few of them having occupied positions of
national importance. The Mathews family is accounted one of the best known
and most substantial families of this county. It has given its best to the
nation in time of war and in times of peace its members have submitted
themselves no less valorously than in the stirring times of war. One of the
present prominent members of this family is Charles Mathews, of Metamora
Township.
Charles Mathews was born in Metamora Township, Franklin County, Indiana, on
October 25, 1876. His parents were Stephen and Barbara Jane (Morton)
Mathews, the latter of whom was born February 14, 1849, a daughter of John
and Sarah Morton. Charles Mathews was the third of the six children born to
Stephen and Barbara Jane (Morton) Mathews, as follows: Albert, who married
Anna Mason; Clara Belle, who married Marcus Jackson; Charles, of whom this
is written; George, who married Amanda Jackson; Beecher, who married Winnie
Alley, and Ora, who married John Baker. The marriages of various children
gave Stephen Mathews eighteen grandchildren.
Stephen Mathews was born June 15, 1851, in Pipe Creek, Butler Township,
Franklin County, Indiana, son of Samuel and Catherine (Amack) Mathews.
Catherine Amack was the second wife of Samuel Mathews. Samuel Mathews was a
native of New York State, and came to Franklin County, Indiana, with his
parents when very young. He was educated in the schools of Metamora and
Butler Townships. On reaching manhood he purchased forty acres of land in
Butler Township, moving to that place shortly after his first marriage. His
first wife was Anna Sherwood, to which union were born John, Charlotta and
Eliza Jane. His second wife was Catherine Amack, by whom he had ten
children, as follows: William, Stephen, David, Maria, Samuel, Catherine,
Ella, Phoebe Ann, who died young; Elizabeth, who also died young, and Belle.
Samuel Mathews died January 5, 1885.
Stephen Mathews, father of Charles Mathews and the son of Samuel Mathews,
was educated in the public schools of Butler and Metamora Townships. Early
in life he engaged in farming in Metamora Township. After his marriage, on
February 14, 1871, he moved to his father's farm in Butler Township, where
he lived until his father's death, in 1885. He then bought one hundred and
seventy-two acres of land at Gates Branch, Metamora Township, Franklin
County, and later moved to Metamora, where he conducted a livery stable for
five years. He now lives retired, maintaining his residence in Metamora.
Mr. Mathews and his wife are earnest members of the Methodist Episcopal
Church. In politics, he is an ardent Republican and has held the office to
township supervisor. He and his family are among the most highly respected
families of this county.
Charles Mathews, son of Stephen Mathews, was educated in the public schools
of Metamora Township. After leaving school he started in life as an
employee of the box factory in Brookville, Indiana, and remained at this
employment for about sixteen years, being promoted to the position of
foreman of the second floor of that establishment is a tribute to his
efficient services. In 1907 he bought sixty acres in Metamora Township, to
which place he moved in 1913. He devotes his land to general farming and
specializes in the large type of Poland China hogs.
Charles Mathews was married in 1899 to Louise Lohrey, who was born October
23, 1879, a daughter of John Lohrey, and to this union were born two
children: Gladys Emma, born March 16, 1902, and Virgil Ralph, born April 26,
1906.
Mr. Mathews and family are devout members of the Methodist Church. He is an
ardent Republican in politics and has taken an active interest in the
affairs of that party in this county. He belongs to the Improved Order of
Odd Fellows, in the activities of which he takes a prominent part.
Charles Mathews is a worthy member of an honorable family which always has
been conspicuously identified with the best interests of Franklin County,
and he and his family very properly are regarded with the highest respect
and esteem on the part of their large circle of friends and acquaintances.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Copied by Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert
Thought someone might be interested in this.