My Genealogy Hound

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN MATHEWS, a gallant defender of his country’s flag and successful in the pursuits of peace, is the oldest living resident of the town who is a native of Gerry. Benjamin F. Mathews is a son of Caleb and Margareth (Salisbury) Mathews and was born in the town of Gerry, Chautauqua county, New York, March 24, 1822. His grandfather was of English descent and came from one who crossed the ocean on the Mayflower. He was born in the State of Rhode Island and lived to be eighty-seven years and six months old. By occupation he was a shoemaker and for many years followed the sea. He died in the town of Gerry in 1855. Caleb Mathews came to this town in 1821 and secured four-hundred acres of land from the Holland Land Company. He was a potter by trade but made farming his principal work. His place, when he first moved his family on to it, was two and one-half miles from his nearest neighbor, but soon after, the country began to populate rapidly. He married Margareth Salisbury, reared eleven children, and lived until his death, which occurred November 17, 1869, when eighty-two years old, upon the original farm. Politically a republican, he held several town offices and was a member of the Baptist church.

Benjamin Franklin Mathews was reared in the town of Gerry and attended its public schools. When he arrived at that age in which young men were put to work, he began farming and helped to clear considerable new ground. Shortly after, he went to Le Roy, Genesee county, and was interested in a machine shop for two years, when he returned to Gerry and settled on a farm adjoining his present home and now does general farming. In 1862 Mr. Mathews enlisted in company F, 112th regiment, N. Y., Infantry, and was first engaged at the Deserted Farm, Virginia. After this engagement, battles and skirmishes followed one another in rapid succession, in all of which, he proved himself a gallant soldier and a patriot. He was present at the siege of Suffolk and from there went to White House Landing and after service at that place, moved on to Hanover Junction. Returning to Portsmouth, Va., and thence to Bowers Hill, he was ordered from the latter place to Charleston, S. C., and remained there until the following spring. Then in succession he was at Jacksonville, Yorktown, Bermuda Hundred, Petersburg and Cold Harbor. During the election his regiment was ordered to New York, and when their duty was performed there, in the order named, they were transferred to Deep Bottom, Fort Fisher under Gen. Butler Bermuda, and under Gen. Terry, went back to Fort Fisher and “took it.” Wilmington, N. C., surrendered to them on February 22, 1865. Mr. Mathews was then detailed as manager of the hospital at Wilmington, N. C., and served as such for eight weeks, when he was discharged and came home. He began farming at once and has now a very fine place. His herd of cows are superior; and, among other items of production, is about 1500 pounds of cheese annually. Politically, a republican, he is serving as poor-master and constable.

June 2, 1844, he married Mary Lyon, a daughter of William Lyon, of Le Roy, Genesee county, and they have been blessed with nine children: C. Electa; Melvin L.; Florence A.; Francis Marian; Alvorsee J.; Orin H. died when twenty-four years old; Lizzie M. living, and Franklin, dead.

Benjamin Franklin Mathews is a member of the Free Methodist church, a gentleman of upright character and a citizen to whom the community may point with pride.