MATHEWS, J. L.

MATHEWS, DOWNING, LOCKARD, BAXTER

Posted By: Norma Jennings (email)
Date: 10/23/2011 at 23:00:49

J.L. MATTHEWS is a notary public and general collection agent at Wellman, Washington Co., Iowa; he is also a dealer in school books, stationery, official blanks, notions, confectionery, cigars and tobacco. He was born in Columbus, Bartholomew Co., Ind., Jan. 24, 1845, and is the son of William Wesley and Harriet L. (Downing) Matthews, the former a native of Tennessee and the latter of Kentucky. His mother died Feb. 9, 1845, when he was but sixteen days old. He was then taken by his grandmother Downing, with whom he remained until nine years of age, the family moving in the meantime to Martinsville, Morgan Co., Ind. His grandmother dying, he made his home with a maiden aunt, Miss Judith R. Downing. While in Martinsville, Ind., he attended the common schools of that village, the only educational advantages that he ever received. In the spring of 1857, in company with this maiden aunt, and her brothers, W. A. Downing, and his family, he removed to Washington County, Iowa, landing at Wassonville May 27, 1854.

On coming to this county, the family settled upon a farm, and in the discharge of the various duties required in farm life J. L. Matthews was engaged until Sept. 1, 1862, when he enlisted in Co. F, 1st Iowa Vol. Cav., and served until the close of the war, participating in all the engagements of the regiment, the first of which after his enlistment was at Prairie Grove, Ark., Dec. 7, 1862. It was next at the capture of Van Buren, Ark., and participated in the moonlight charges near Jackson, Mo., and in the three days' running fight at Crowley's Ridge, Mo., and also in the capture of Bayou Metaire and Little Rock, Ark., Sept. 10, 1863. On March 30, 1864, it was at Spoonville, Ark., and there had an engagement. Its next one was on April 2, 1864, where they met 2,700 of the enemy at Antoine, Ark., and had a running fight for five miles, followed by the fight at the Little Missouri River, where they lost thirty-nine killed and wounded. It was also engaged at Prairie D'Anne, known as the "Artillery Duel," and the regiment was the first to enter the works at that place, and also participated in the capture of Camden, after which it was sent to Little Rock, Ark.

In January, 1864, Mr. Matthews verteranized, and on the 3d of May, 1864, with that part of the regiment which re-enlisted, he returned to Davenport, Iowa, where he arrived May 17, received a thirty days' furlough, and came home on a visit. At the expiration of his furlough, he rejoined his regiment and was sent to St. Louis, Mo., being placed on guard duty along the line of the Northern Missouri Railway, until Oct. 1, 1864, when the regiment met Price, who was then on his northern raid, and completely routed him, driving him out of the State. It was then sent to Jefferson City, Mo., where it was stationed at the time of the Presidential election in that year, and where the regiment had the pleasure of casting its vote for the martyr President, Abraham Lincoln. In December, 1864, the regiment was sent to Little Rock, Ark., and on the 22d of January, 1865, assisted in the capture of many prisoners at Camden, Ark.

Returning to Pine Bluff, Ark., the regiment was ordered to Memphis, Tenn., reaching that place in February, 1865, there to operate against the guerrilla Forest. It then formed a part of an expedition sent to Grenada, Miss., and enroute, while near Ripley, on the Tallahatchie River, again had an engagement with Gen. Forest, and after a brisk fight, again routed him. Returning to Memphis April 3, 1865, the available portion of the regiment was sent to Colierville, Tenn., its time being spent in scouting until the 15th of June, when it again returned to Memphis, where it received marching orders for Texas. Embarking on transports at Memphis for Alexandria, La., the regiment resorted to Gen. Custer on the 23d of June, and there the General issued his never-to-be-forgotten Orders Nos. 2 and 15, which should nay violate, they were to receive sixty lashes and have their heads shaved. While at Alexandria Mr. Matthews witnessd the execution of a deserter, who was required to take his seat upon his coffin, and twelve men ordered to fire. Four balls entered his body, killing him instantly. About the 10th of October, 1865, the regiment left Alexandria for Austin, Tex. While on that trip, at Hempstead, Tex., General Orders Nos. 2 and 15 were enforced on two men of the 2d Wisconsin Cavalry, two of the 7th Indiana Cavalry, and two of the 1st Iowa Cavalry, each receiving sixty lashes and having his head shaved. On the night after the execution of said order, Gen. Custer's tent was completely riddled with bullets. The regiment arrived at Austin Nov. 4, 1865, where it remained until Feb. 15, 1866, at which time it was mustered out of service, and on the 19th of February, started home by way of Galveston, New Orleans, Cairo, Ill., and thence to Davenport, Iowa, where it arrived March 12, and remained a few days, the men then receiving their discharge.

Mr. Matthews then returned home, and soon after engaged in clerking in a store. On the 9th of December, 1866, he was united in marriage with Miss Martha J. Lockard, who was born Feb. 16, 1848, and a daughter of William Lockard. She died May 13, 1872, leaving two children: Nettie L., born Sept. 6, 1867, and William McC., born Jan. 13, 1870; the latter is now making his home with his grandfather Lockard, who resides near Medicine Lodge, Kan. Our subject was again united in marriage, with Miss Emeline Mathews, born Oct. 23, 1854, and the daughter of James H. and Hannah D. (Baxter) Mathews, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of England. One child has been born to them, Charles Wesley, April 17, 1875. Mrs. Matthews met with a serious accident Jan. 1, 1887. By reason of a broken switch, a train on which she was riding was wrecked, and in the accident her left arm and collar bone were broken. She was also severely bruised about the head and face. From the effects of this accident she has never fully recovered.

Mr. Matthews is one of the representative men of Lime Creek Township, and has frequently been honored by his fellow-citizens with local offices. In March, 1887, he was elected Mayor of the village of Wellman, which office he continues to hold at this date. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and also of the G.A.R. In politics, he is a Republican.

Portrait and Biographical Album Washington, Iowa 1887 pp172-173