Los
Angeles County
Biographies
JAMES S. MATTHEWS
Although a resident of Hermosa Beach
for less than a decade and a half, the late James S. Matthews accomplished much
in the field of real estate development, taking a leading part in the work of
upbuilding and progress, and belonged to that desirable class of citizens who
make their private business enterprises public assets. A native of Birmingham, England, born in
1873, Mr. Matthews was brought to this country when a small child by his
parents who settled in Illinois, and in that state he was reared and
educated. When a young man he went to
Denver, Colorado, as western representative for an eastern firm engaged in the
manufacture of shoes, and followed that line for a period of fifteen years.
In 1919 Mr. Matthews allied his
interests with those of Hermosa Beach, opening an investment office here, and
at once made his influence felt in the business life of the city. He manifested his faith in its future by
purchasing property, which he later sold to advantage, for sound judgment
directed his investments. He was the
founder and head of the Hermosa Development Company, a large organization,
which reflected his progressive spirit and high commercial standards. He erected the Matthews Building, a modern
edifice of brick construction, and was one of the greatest individual factors
in the growth and improvement of the beach city. During the real estate boom of 1925 he was
active in the affairs of the Hermosa Beach Development Company, and for a
number of years was a director of the First National Bank. Shortly before his death, which occurred on
the16th of February, 1929, Mr. Matthews completed his new home, one of the
finest at Hermosa Beach, and he was also the owner of a home at a hunting and fishing resort in the Malibu Mountains. His name was third on the membership list of
the Surf & Sand Club, whose building he assisted in promoting and
financing. He was a thirty-second degree
Mason, identified with both the York and Scottish Rite
bodies, and the beneficent teachings of the organization were exemplified in
his daily life. He belonged to the
Masonic Club of Hermosa Beach and served as president of the Hermosa Beach
Chamber of Commerce. His marked public
spirit was evidenced by both word and deed and his passing deprived Hermosa
Beach of a citizen it could ill afford to lose.
Honest and straightforward in all of his dealings with his fellow men,
his prosperity was well deserved, for it was worthily won, and he left to his
family the heritage of an honored name and the memory of a well spent life.
Besides his widow, who was Miss Minnie Lee Milear, of Lincoln, Nebraska, before her marriage, Mr.
Matthews is survived by two children, Mrs. Frances Gruenwald and Arden R.
Matthews. The son pursued his studies in
the schools of Denver, Colorado, afterward becoming the business associate of
his father, whom he succeeded in the wholesale business but sold the former in
April, 1931, continuing to handle general insurance. His offices are in the Matthews Block on Pier
Avenue. Thoroughly informed on the
subject of insurance, he gives to his client’s expert advice in the selection
of policies best suited to their needs and his interests are systematically
managed and profitably conducted.
Enlisting in the army at the time of the World War, he was assigned to the
One Hundred and Fifteenth United States Engineers, with which he saw active
service in France and after the signing of the Armistice went to Coblenz,
Germany, with the Army of the Occupation, spending one and a half years
overseas. He is a member of the American
Legion, past president of the Kiwanis Club of Hermosa Beach, and a member of
Hermosa Lodge, No. 557, F. & A. M. He
was married in September, 1925, to Miss Mary Leeper, and they have a daughter,
Joy Mae, born in 1929. A loyal,
progressive citizen and an enterprising young businessman of recognized
ability, Mr. Matthews worthily sustains the traditions of the family and stands
deservedly high in public esteem.
Transcribed by
V. Gerald Iaquinta.
Source: California of the South
Vol. III, by John Steven McGroarty, Pages
11-13, Clarke Publ., Chicago, Los Angeles, Indianapolis. 1933.
© 2012 V. Gerald Iaquinta.
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NUGGET'S LOS ANGELES BIOGRAPIES