My Genealogy Hound

Benjamin F. Matthews, a popular citizen of Powhatan, is a native of Georgia, and was born in Madison County, August 12, 1823. His parents were the Hon. Allen and Margaret (Elton) Matthews, who were married and resided for a while in Jackson County, Ga., and then moved to Madison County. After a short residence in the latter locality they moved back to Jackson County, where the elder Mr. Matthews practiced law during the greater portion of his life, and attained an eminent place in his profession. He represented the county several terms in the legislature, and died in Gainesville, Ga., in 1843, after a successful career. His son, B. F. Matthews, grew to manhood in the State of Georgia, and during the earlier portion of his life had but a limited amount of education. This, though an obstacle in his path, was easily overcome by his perseverance and natural ability. He first came to Arkansas in 1854, and located at Powhatan, which place has been his residence ever since. In 1876 he commenced his commercial career, and up to the year 1886 was actively engaged in mercantile life, controlling a business of from $30,000 to $40,000 a year. In 1863 he was elected sheriff of Lawrence County, and served until 1867, and for four years acted as collector and assessor. Previous to that, in 1860, he was deputized census enumerator, and took the census of Lawrence and Sharp Counties. On October 24, 1844, he was married to Miss Catherine McElroy of Cherokee County, Ga., and this union has given them nine children, of whom only three are living at the present time: William, Catherine, wife of Clay Thorn, and Ella. Those deceased are Josephine, Bettie, Phineas, Alice, Thomas and Henry. Mr. Matthews lost his first wife October 30, 1871, and after her death was determined to spend the remainder of his days single, but after meeting Miss Mary C. Clisby, of Massachusetts, he succumbed to that lady’s charms, and was again married. They are both members of the Presbyterian Church, and Mr. Matthews has been a Mason for forty years.