Santa Clara County
Biographies
HENRY D. MATHEWS
While our country was under the colonial form of government Daniel Mathews, a native of England, identified himself with the city of New York, where he became an influential factor in commercial and public affairs. From 1777 until 1783 he officiated as mayor of the city, retiring at the end of that stormy period of our national history which had its culmination in the defeat of Lord Cornwallis at Yorktown. A grandson of this revolutionary contemporary was William Mathews, who devoted his active years to the manufacture of chairs in New York City. James H., son of William and father of H.D. Mathews, was born on Hester street, New York City, and learned the plumber's trade, but after settling in St. Paul, Minn., in 1856 he became the proprietor of a pioneer gun store, continuing in that business until his death, in November, 1881, at the age of fifty-nine years. In fraternal relations he was a Mason and a member of Ancient Landmark Lodge. Thirty-three days before his demise his wife passed away. She was Elizabeth Gorse, a native of England, born near Portland, at Bolton on the Moors, and accompanied her mother to New York City, residing on Roosevelt street in that city.
In the family of James H. and Elizabeth Mathews there were four daughters and a son, but the latter alone survives. He was born at No. 9 Leonard street, New York City, April 11, 1845, and was eleven years of age when the family removed to St. Paul, where he was a student in the Washington school. August 13, 1862, he volunteered in Company G, Sixth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, and was immediately sent into service to assist in quelling the Indians. Two months later he was mustered into the United States service at Camp Release. For some time he was at the front to prevent Indian uprisings, and finally, after the ringleaders of the savages had been captured and killed, peace was restored. In 1864 he was sent south to Helena, Ark., and later to St. Louis, where he engaged in patrol duty. Transferred to the Department of the Gulf at New Orleans, in January, 1865, he went to that city, and later took part in the siege of Mobile and the engagements at Fort Blakeley and Spanish Fort. With his regiment he then was stationed at Montgomery, Ala., and from there was ordered to Minnesota in August, 1865, and mustered out at Fort Snelling on the 19th of that month, after a service of three years and one week.
On his return to St. Paul Mr. Mathews entered the employ of James J. Hill, then the agent for the Northwestern Steamship Company. Of the many thousands Mr. Hill has since retained in his service, there is probably no one now living except Mr. Mathews who worked for him as early as 1865. In 1869 when Mr. Hill became contract agent for the St. Paul & Pacific (now the Great Northern) Railroad, Mr. Mathews entered the employ of the Northern Line Packet Company as their St. Paul agent, and also acted as agent of the Diamond Jo line, continuing with them until 1881. He then organized the Northwestern Line Company with headquarters at St. Paul. Under his supervision, as president and treasurer, the company built up the largest business of its kind in St. Paul. During 1894 he disposed of his interests in the enterprise and came to California, since which time he has made San Jose his home. In this city he represents the St. Paul Fire and Marine Insurance Company and the Phoenix Mutual Life Insurance Company of Hartford, Conn.
The first marriage of Mr. Mathews took place in St. Paul and united him with Miss Eliza Lamb, who was born in Buffalo, N.Y., and died in St. Paul September 28, 1884. He was again married March 31, 1890, in Chicago, Ill., his wife being Martha E. Shideler, who was born near Troy, Ohio, and by whom he has a son, Henry D., Jr. In national politics he votes the Republican ticket. In 1872 he held the office of city wharf master in St. Paul. May 19, 1902, on the citizens' ticket, he was elected councilman-at-large for a term of four years, and took office in July following. Since becoming a member of the board he has served as chairman of the committee on streets, lands and squares, chairman of the finance committee and chairman of the fire and water committee. He is a member of the managing board of the chamber of commerce in San Jose and a member of the state board of trade, which has headquarters in the Ferry building, San Francisco, and on which he represents the central coast counties. March 10, 1904, Mr. Mathews was appointed city treasurer of San Jose. In Grand Army circles he is connected with John A. Dix Post No. 42. After coming west he was made a Mason in Friendship Lodge No. 210, F.& A.M., of San Jose, and is its master at this writing. His Masonic relations further include membership in Howard Chapter No. 14, R.A.M., San Jose Commandery No. 10, K.T., and Islam Temple, A.A.O.N.M.S., of San Francisco.
Transcribed
4-1-15 Marilyn
R. Pankey.
ญญญญSource: History
of the State of California & Biographical Record of Coast Counties,
California by Prof. J. M. Guinn, A. M., Pages 502-505. The Chapman
Publishing Co., Chicago, 1904.
ฉ 2015 Marilyn R. Pankey.