My Genealogy Hound

PROF. D. MATTHEWS. Some one has said, “Give me the care of the first ten years of a child’s life, and I care not who has the rest,” in urging the proper early influences in the training and education of our youth. Of all men in the community, no one has in his keeping greater destinies, is clothed with greater power and responsibility, as well as deserves greater respect, than the teacher of the young. Prominent among this class in Jasper county is the subject of this short sketch, Prof. D. Matthews, who was born in Morristown, South Wales, Great Britain, February 14, 1850, where he was raised until seven years of age, when his father, David, emigrated to America. His father was born in Wales in 1816, and also his mother, Catharine, nee Evans, who was born in 1817. The subject of this sketch married, June 12, 1869, May Swing, a niece of Rev. David Swing, who was born April 8, 1852. They have one child, whose name is Vernon. Prof. Matthews received his education at the University of Ohio, located at Athens, graduating from the classical course, and receiving both degrees, A. B. and A. M., with the class of 1870. After graduation he taught one year at Ft. Scott, Kansas, and subsequently has been three years principal of the Carthage high-schools, and is now serving his second year very acceptably as superintendent of the city schools. Prof. Matthews, although a young man, is fully abreast with the advanced methods of the times, and is making the teaching profession a life study and work. Both Mr. and Mrs. Matthews are efficient members of the Presbyterian Church, and are cultured people and highly esteemed members of the community.