HISTORY OF SOUTHEAST MISSOURI

Biographical Appendix

JOHN J. MATHEWS

John J. Mathews, ex-county judge and farmer of St. Michael Township, was born in Tennessee in 1817, and is the son of Thomas and Jane (McDavid) Mathews. The father was born in South Carolina in 1783, and was a farmer by occupation. In his youth he went to Tennessee, and about 1820 he moved to Marion County, Ala., where hepassed the remainder of his life. He died in February 1837. His wife, Jane McDavid, was born in South Carolina, and died in 1836. She was of Scotch-Irish descent. Of their twelve children six are now living: William (farmer in Utah Territory), John J., Benjamin F. (in Southern California), Rosana (wife of Elisha Spiva), Martha J. (wife of Nehemiah Johnson), and Reuben W., who is in Jefferson County, Mo., where, November 22, 1842, he married Miss Mary P. St. Gemme in the house in which he now resides. She was the daughter of John B. St. Gemme, who was one of the early settlers of Madison County, and was born in her present home of 1825. Here she also died in 1884. She was the mother of eleven children: Mary Jane (Mrs. John D. Thompson), John B., Thomas (who died in 1879, at the age of thirty), Rose L. (Mrs. William Tesreau), Fanny (who died in 1887, at the age of thirty-three), Julia B. (who died in 1882, at the age of twenty-five, and was the wife of Anton Bruiger), Zelia Julemar, Amanda Ellen, James H. (who died in 1862, aged one year), Eliza (died when and infant), and Cilace (died when an infant). In 1852 Mr. Mathews bought 157 acres of land or the farm formerly owned by his father-in-law. On this farm Mr. Mathews settled and there he has since resided. He has followed farming all his life, and is one of St. Michael's most esteemed citizens. He is especially known for his honesty and integrity. He is a Democrat in politics, and in 1847-48-49 was elected to the office of constable. In the fall of 1874 he was elected justice of the County of Madison County, and was commissioned by Gov. Silas Woodson. He served his constituents faithfully and well for four years. Mrs. Mathews was a member of the Catholic Church.