Biographies and Obituaries
In loving memory
Edward W. Mathews
History of the Catholic Church in Indiana
Logansport: Bowen, 1898
Edward W. Mathews, hardware merchant, formerly a practical blacksmith at Montgomery, Ind., is a native of Daviess county, was born April 4, 1845, and is the fifth of the seven children that constituted the family of Michael and Ellen (Owens) Mathews.
Michael Mathews, a native of county Longford, Ireland, was reared a farmer, came to the United States about 1825, and first located in Baltimore, Md. About 1835 he came to Indiana, lived in Madison until 1838, when he settled in Daviess county, where he passed the remainder of his life. His wife was a native of Virginia, and also died in Daviess county, Ind.
Edward W. Mathews lived on the home farm until sixteen years old, when he engaged in blacksmithing, a trade he followed for twenty years. He began business on his own account with a cash capital of $5, and first started in Loogootee, but soon after Edward came to Montgomery, leased a lot, and hauled lumber from Raglesville, with which he erected a little shop, hired a good helper and prospered. In 1878 he began dealing in grain, and still continues to handle that commodity. In 1886 he embarked in the hardware and agricultural implement trade, and his enterprise, fair dealing and attention to business have met their just reward, the volume of his trade now reaching $30,000 per annum. Mr. Mathews was first married July 3, 1866, by Father Gueguen, of Loogootee, to Miss Margaret Reilly, the result being nine children, of whom six, however, are deceased. The survivors are Francis M., the eldest, who was confirmed by Bishop Chatard, is married, and has been engaged in the hardware trade; Mary, who was confirmed by the same bishop, makes her home with her father, and Leo, who was also confirmed by Bishop Chatard, is a dealer in live stock. Mrs. Mathews passed away December 18, 1882, and Mr. Mathew took for his second wife Miss Elizabeth Feagan, a native of Daviess county, whom he married April 13, 1886. This union has been blessed with five children, of whom three are still living and attending St. Peter's church parochial school.
In politics Mr. Mathews is a democrat, cast his first presidential vote for Horatio Seymour and his last for William J. Bryan. He has himself served as township trustee for six years, and given entire satisfaction to the people. He is a leading member of St.Peter's congregation and freely contributes to the support of the church, of which his family are all members, and his business career shows him to be one of the most sagacious managers in the county, the original capital of $5, with which he began, having developed into 320 acres of land in Barr, Bogard and Van Buren townships, Daviess county, his place of business and twelve residences in Montgomery, a business block and flats on the corner of Lake and Ada Streets, Chicago, Ill., and a residence property in Loogootee.
Contributed by: John D. McMullen