MARSHAL MATHEWS is descended from a pioneer family of Washington county, Penn. His grandfather, Paul Mathews, married Jane McCorkle, a native of Washington county, and purchased an unimproved farm in Peters township. Their children were James, Robert, Margaret (wife of James Hultz), Paul, Jane (Mrs. Isaac Weaver) and Sarah (wife of James Rigland). The father was a Democrat in politics, and in religion a member of the Seceder Church. James Mathews was born and reared on the home farm in Peters township, this county, where he followed farming and stock raising. When a young man he was married to Margaret, daughter of John Bowers, of Peters township, and she bore him five children, viz.: Mary J. (wife of Francis Kerr, deceased), Marshal, John B., Margaret A. (Mrs. A. J. Kelly), and David (deceased). Mr. Mathews was a leading politician in the Democratic party.
Marshal Mathews was born November 26, 1831, in Peters township, Washington Co., Penn., and received a very limited education, as he was obliged to assist on the farm a great deal. At the age of seventeen years he was apprenticed to John E. Bell, a harness and saddle maker of Canonsburg, with whom he remained four years, and then conducted a shop at Dunningsville, Penn., for two years, when he removed to his present place of business in Canonsburg. On January 16, 1856, he was united in marriage with Helen P., daughter of John Haggerty, of Canonsburg, and they have had two daughters: Mary A. (wife of Samuel C. McNary) and Isabelle B. Mrs. Mathews died September 1, 1883. Mr. Mathews has won success by earnest, untiring effort, and well deserves his reputation as a successful and representative business man. He affiliates with the Democratic party, and has held various local offices. From the time of its organization he has been a member and deacon of the Central Presbyterian Church at Canonsburg, this county.
Text taken from page 1072 of:
Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893).Transcribed March 1997 by Neil and Marilyn Morton of Oswego, IL as part of the Beers Project.
Published March 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.[ [Back to Beers Table of Contents] [Back to Beers Project Page]