My Genealogy Hound

EDGAR MATHEWS, burgess of Royersford, is prominently identified with the interests of the borough. He was born in Leeds, England, January 30, 1862. His parents coming to this country when he was a child, he was reared and educated in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, receiving a common school training. Mr. Mathews is the son of Abram and Hannah (Chew) Mathews, both of England, who came to America in 1868, landing at New York and remaining there nearly a year, and then coming to Philadelphia.

Abram Mathews (father) was by trade a heater in a rolling mill. He found employment at Nicetown, remaining there about a year, and then buying a farm in Bucks county, near Sellersville, remained there until 1899, when he sold the farm and removed to Royersford, and has lived there since retired. Mr. Abram Mathews was formerly a Democrat, but is now a Republican. In Bucks county he filled the offices of justice of the peace and auditor, but never aspired to higher political honors. He is a member of the Lutheran church, as is also his wife. He is a man above the average in height, and, being of a strong constitution, is a hard worker. He is social in his tastes and is excellent company; charitable to the needy and affectionate in disposition, but stern in discipline, although a kind father. Both Mr. and Mrs. Mathews are well preserved and hearty. They enjoy the fruits of a well spent life.

In his native country Mr. Abram Mathews followed his trade of heater and on coming to America had little difficulty in finding employment at remunerative wages. The work being hot and laborious, he decided to abandon that and buy a farm, which he did, and became a practical and successful farmer. Wherever he has lived he has commanded the respect and confidence of all with whom he came in contact. Mr. and Mrs. Abram Mathews’ children: John, died at the age of forty-four years, leaving a widow but no children; Abraham (deceased), unmarried; George, a resident of Philadelphia; Harry, who lives at Easton, Maryland; Edgar, subject of this sketch; Annie, unmarried; Fred, who resides at Alexandria, Virginia; Walter, a resident of Boston, Massachusetts; Herbert, who lives in San Francisco, and is foreman of a stove foundry.

Edgar Mathews, when he was six years old, removed with his parents to the Bucks county farm, where he remained until he was about eighteen years of age, and was then apprenticed to learn stove-moulding at Quakertown. He learned the trade, and when his apprenticeship was completed worked at different places. In 1885 he went to Royersford and secured employment with the Oliver Keely & Company, stove manufacturers, holding this position for nearly three years. After a trip through the country he was engaged with the Grander Stove Works, at Royersford, where he has held a position ever since. He is a practical and competent moulder, having given that business all his attention. He is an intelligent, energetic and reliable business man, and is well and favorably known. Every position he has held, whether public or private, he has filled creditably to himself and with satisfaction to all. In 1888, at Trenton, New Jersey, Mr. Mathews married Miss Dora Hartman. She was born in Chester county, Pennsylvania, July 13, 1868. Mrs. Mathews is a lady of intelligence and culture. She is the daughter of Albert and Mary (Eppeheimer) Hartman. Her father was of German descent; her mother a native of Chester county, Pennsylvania. Mr. Hartman was a printer by trade and died early in life. Sometime after the death of Mr. Hartman, his wife married Andrew Anderson, of Chester county; he also dying leaving no children. Mrs. Anderson makes her home with her daughter, Mrs. Mathews, her only child.

Mary Eppeheimer was the daughter of George and Eliza (Ortlip) Eppeheimer, both of Chester county. The father was a son of Ephraim Eppeheimer, also of Chester county. Mrs. Anderson is the fourth generation from Germany. Ephraim was a mechanic and a consistent member of the Lutheran church. His children were: George, father of Mrs. Hartman; Jonas; John; Mary, who died unmarried in old age.

George Eppeheimer was born in Pottstown in 1809. He was a tailor by trade, which occupation he followed for half a century. During his business life he resided many years at Parkerford, where he died in 1879 in his seventy-first year. He was widely known and highly respected. Politically he was a Whig and Republican. His wife preceded him in death, passing away in 1875 aged fifty-eight years. She was the daughter of Henry Ortlip, of an old family of Chester county. Her father was a farmer and hotel-keeper and operated the old Ortlip Mill many years. He never aspired to political honors. Mr. Ortlip’s children were: Rachel (Mrs. Buckwalter); Andrew; Henry; Eliza (Mrs. Eppeheimer); Mary; Julia (Mrs. J. D. Teany); Osman, served in the rebellion; Abram, also a veteran.

George Eppeheimer’s children: Henry, of Spring City; William, killed by an explosion of a steamboat on the Delaware river; Mary (Mrs. A. Hartman); Frank and Howard, residents of Royersford; Addison, postmaster of Royersford. George Eppeheimer was a Lutheran and his wife a German Baptist.

Mr. and Mrs. Edgar Mathews’ children are: Charles H., born July 10, 1891; Edgar, born October 21, 1893. Mrs. Mathews is a member of the Baptist church, and also of the Masonic Ladies Society. He belongs to the Improved Order of Red Men, and is treasurer of the Iron Moulders’ Union. He is president of the Royersford Fire Company. Mr. Mathews is an earnest, active and influential Republican. He is recognized as a power in local and county politics. He served for five years in the town council of Royersford, being president of that body. In the spring of 1903, he was elected burgess. His name has frequently been mentioned in connection with the Republican nomination for sheriff of Montgomery county, and he was nominated for that office June 28, 1904. He is a member of the Elks at Pottstown, Pennsylvania.