My Genealogy Hound

MATTHEWS, J. W.; P. O. Belfast; dealer in general mdse., drugs, etc., also Postmaster and R. R. Station Agt.; born Sept. 27, 1834, in Chester Co., Pennsylvania; his mother died while he was a small boy; at the age of 13 he went to live with an uncle at Lombardville, Md., and engaged as clerk in a general store; in 1852, he went to Apple Grove, York Co., Penn., engaged as a clerk in a general store with his father, then commenced business for himself in same county. June 20, 1855, he married Mary A. Healey, of Hartford Co., Md.; she was born Jan. 19, 1836, in Maryland; in the fall of 1855, he removed to Hartford Co., Md.; continued mercantile business till 1862, when he started for Idaho, shipped his goods, and they were burned while in transit from Philadelphia to Omaha: went with family to Salt Lake City, engaged in the transportation of provisions, groceries, etc., to Idaho to supply miners. In the fall of 1864, came to Council Bluffs, engaged in mercantile business till the fall of 1865; moved to Pittsfield, Pike Co., Ill.; acted as assistant Postmaster till the next fall, of 1866; came to Warsaw, Ill., and engaged in mercantile business till in the winter of 1867; moved to Keokuk and engaged as book-keeper for Snow & Huber and for their successors nearly four years, after that as book-keeper for J. H. Green, a grain-dealer, two years; after, purchased the grocery stock of W. R. Mooney; moved to Sand Prairie; in July, 1873, came to Belfast, then being only a flag station, obtained permission from the company to build his store near the railroad track, which serves as depot, store and post office since; has secured six lots and built his residence; on his arrival here he procured the establishment of the post office and was appointed Postmaster, was also appointed station and express agent, which he still holds. His children are John A., Mary E., Florence E., Wilson and Eddie; lost one son, Albert. Republican.