Richard Matthews, one of the typical English farmers of Elizabeth has a fine body of land on section 24, where he has been operating to excellent advantage since 1881. It is quite evident that he has a proper uderstanding of the manner in which to prosecute farming, as he has been able to gather around himself and family many conveniences and comforts, in addition to the task of effecting the improvements which are expected of the progressive agriculturist of the present day.

The County of Cornwall England, bestowed upon our subject his first impressions of life, as it was there he was born, Jan. 8, 1825. He is the son of William and Ann (Evans) Matthews, who were also of English birth and parentage, and whose family included ten children. Richard was the fifth in order of birth, and was reared to farming in his native county, acquiring at the same time an education in the common school. His education, however, was quite limited, but by the perusal of instructive books and the current newspapers of the day, he kept himself posted in regard to matters of general interest, and, perhaps, in this way has acquired more practical knowledge than is frequently possessed by the finished scholar.

In his native county, also, our subject was married, May 24, 1848, to Miss Elizabeth Hodge. This lady was also born in Cornwall County, May 26, 1824, and is the daughter of John and Ann (Champion) Hodge, natives of England, who spent their last years in England. Of this union there have been born four children, the eldest of whom, a daughter, Elizabeth. is the wife of Joseph Thomas of Chicago, Ill.; William J. is farming in Elizabeth Township; Mary is the wife of William Atchison, of this township; Richard (died in infancy).

In the spring of 1851, Mr. and Mrs. Matthews, who were then the parents of one child, embarked for America, at Penzance, on the sailing-vessel “Mountaineer.” After an ocean voyage of four weeks, they landed in New York City, whence they proceeded to New Jersey, where our subject followecl mining for a period of four years. He then determined to seek the West, and coming to this State, located first near the town of Buda, in Bureau County, where he sojourned for a period of fourteen years, engaged in farming. His next residence was in this State, where Mr. Matthews farmed one year, then removed to Chicago, Ill., where he followed teaming about twelve months.

In 1868 Mr. Matthews came to this county, and settled on a tract of land near Elizabeth, in Woodbine Township where he operated as an agriculturist for a number of years, then removed to the village, and occupied himself at farming. In the fall of 1886, he came to his present homestead for the first time as a resident, although he had been owner of the land for some years. Here he has thirteen acres, forty acres over the line in Woodbine township. Mrs. Matthews has been the able assistant of her husband in his labors, and to her wise management of their domestic affairs is largely due his success. The fact has long been recognized that the careful wife and mother exerts a vast influence in connection with a man’s prosperity, as well as his happiness. Both are connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which Mr. Matthews has officiated as Class-Leader and Steward for many years. Of this church both have been members since the age of 17. In their community they have both given their influence to the laudable enterprises calculated for for its social and moral advancement. Mr. Matthews cast his presidential vote for Buchanan and in 1860 voted for Lincoln. He has carefully avoided the responsibility of the office holder, prefering to lead the life of a private citizen.

From Portraits and Biographicsal Pg 595