My Genealogy Hound

Hon. Charles M. Matthews, presiding judge of Gasconade County, was born in Third Creek Township, this county, November 11, 1836, and is the son of Hon. James A. Matthews (deceased), a native of Franklin County, Tenn., who came from that State and settled in Gasconade County, Mo., at a very early day. He, his wife and three children made the trip in a one-horse cart, and after reaching this county the cart was traded for a cabin in which to shelter the family. Indians and wild animals abounded, and the father could often bring down a deer while standing in his cabin door. They paid their taxes in furs, beeswax and tallow, and were obliged to go to St. Louis to trade and market their produce. The nearest post-office and blacksmith shop was at Union, in Franklin County, thirty miles distant. The father was a very loyal man during the late war, and raised the first Missouri Volunteer Regiment of Home Guards for the defense of the Union. He spent over $7,000 of his own means in defense of the Union, besides several thousand dollars’ worth of food and clothing to the soldiers of that regiment. He also volunteered in the army, and was made colonel of the regiment he raised. Charles M. received his education in the primitive log schoolhouse of pioneer days, with split logs for seats, wall desks, wooden hinges for the doors, etc. During the war he enlisted in Company I, Sixth Missouri Cavalry, and was in service three years. He participated in the battles of Wilson’s Creek, Surcy Landing on Red River, Cotton Plant, Siege of Vicksburg, Arkansas Post, Bank’s defeat at Sabine Cross Roads, Mobile and others. He enlisted as private and was discharged with the commission of second lieutenant of the regular army. He contracted a disease while in the service, which still remains with him and totally disables him from manual labor. He was married, February 21, 1858, to Miss Jane Fitzgerald, daughter of Edward Fitzgerald (deceased), and became the mother of three children, only one now living, Lucretia J., who married George Nicks, of Maries County, Mo., and bore him four children: Georgianna, Araminta, Charles and John. Mr. Matthews’ third child by his first wife, Henry A., was murdered, December 23, 1887, by Pink Harrison and William A. Joll, who were in a quarrel, and Henry tried to make peace. Mrs. Matthews died April 16, 1860, and in March, 1867, Mr. Matthews married Miss Helen Hinton, daughter of David Hinton (deceased). To this union were born two children, one now living: Mary E., who married William Nicks, of Canaan Township, and has one child, Emaline. Mr. Matthews owns 271 acres of land, and is successfully engaged in farming and stock-raising. He was elected county judge of the southern district in 1880, and presiding judge in 1882, which position he still holds, having been re-elected in 1886. He has been a member of the Baptist Church for over thirty years, and belongs to the G. A. R.