California Biographies

Source: History of Fresno County, California, with biographical sketches of 
the leading men and women of the county who have been identified with 
its growth and development from the early days to the present (1919)

History By Paul E. Vandor 
Illustrated, Complete In Two Volumes 
Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, California, 1919
 
Notes: Missing+page1185-1186

Transcribed by Peggy Hooper

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives 
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm


J. C. MATTHEWS.� A whole-souled, open-hearted gentleman, J. C. 
Matthews is familiarly known by all of his friends as Jack Matthews. He 
was born in Tarrant County, Texas, in 1861, the son of James and Sarah 
(Runnells) Matthews, natives of Missouri and Tennessee, respectively. They 
removed to Texas, where the father was a cattleman and where both parents 
spent their last days. James Matthews spent four years in the Civil War. Of 
the five children born to this worthy couple only two are living, of whom J. 
C. Matthews is the youngest. He was reared on the frontier in Texas. The 
nearest public school was over 100 miles away, and his education was there- 
fore, naturally limited, being obtained under private instruction. From a 
youth he rode the range and learned the cattle business. 

Mr. Matthews was married near Castroville, Medina County, Texas, to 
Elizabeth Asher, born in Stone County, Mo., the daughter of Leonard and 
Patsey (Hall) Asher. The father was born in Kentucky and the mother in 
Georgia. They moved to Missouri, where they followed farming. Leonard 
Asher served all through the Black Hawk Indian War and was always a fron- 
tiersman. The mother died in Missouri. The father removed to Arkansas, 
where he died. Of their union two children were born, of whom Mrs. 
Matthews is the younger and the only one living. She made a trip to Medina 
County, Texas, where she had a half-sister living, and there she met and 
married Mr. Matthews. 

After his marriage, Mr. Matthews engaged in cattle-raising, having the 
brand I. P. with a bar over it. His range was located in both Medina and Frio 
Counties. In 1898 he sold his cattle and removed to Rhine, Okla., and fol- 
lowed farming until 1911. In that year he migrated to Fresno County, Cal., 
and since then has engaged in horticulture and viticulture. He is now super- 
intendent of the Herbert F. Brown ranch, southwest of Rolinda, a position 
which he ably fills. This ranch is devoted to alfalfa and vineyard. 

Mr. and Mrs. Matthews have five children living: Harvey, residing in 
Oklahoma ; Noah, at Barstow, Fresno County ; Minnie, now Mrs. Donovan, 
of Oklahoma ; and Laura and Meda, who are at home assisting their parents. 
Mrs. Matthews is a Baptist, while Mr. Matthews adheres to the doctrines of 
the Church of God. Politically, he is a Democrat.