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Note: John Matthews was a judge in Hillsborough, Highland Co., Ohio. JOHN MATTHEWS, Wilmington, Probate Judge of Clinton County, was born in Highland County, Ohio, November 11, 1812. His father was John Matthews, a native of North Carolina, who came to Ohio in 1805. He located in Highland County, three miles north of Hillsboro, where he resided till his death. Judge Matthews' mother was Mary E. Hussey, a native of Tennessee. She departed this life in the fall of 1864. The subject of this notice grew up on a farm, and received his early educational training in the subscription and district schools. Having been raised on a farm, be always retained a fondness for agricultural pursuits, and was engaged in agriculture till 1867. In 1836, he removed to Clinton County,. locating near Snow Hill, where he remained nearly ten years. He resided at New Vienna until 1867, when he came to Wilmington. While a young man, he obtained a certificate to teach, and for many years engaged in that noble profession. While engaged in this work, he formed a desire to make the practice of law his future life work, and to that end commenced its study. While a resident of New Vienna, Judge Matthews was appointed Postmaster by President Polk, and subsequently re-appointed by President Fillmore. During these years, and previously, he was an ardent Democrat, but became a Republican on the organization of that party. In 1862, he was appointed Assessor of the Sixth District Internal Revenue of Ohio, discharging the duties of that position until the fall of 1866. In the latter period, he was a candidate for the position of Probate Judge of Clinton County, and was triumphantly elected by a large majority. Since that time, he has been reelected several times, and still occupies the position, having had little or no opposition at election times. Judge Matthews early became a member of the Methodist Church, and since his removal to Wilmington, has served in various official trusts in that denomination. He is also a member of the Odd Fellows fraternity, both of the Lodge and Chapter, at Wilmington. He was united in marriage, in 1836, to Sarah Woodmansee, a native of this State. Two children were born to them-Mary E., wife of Isaac Smith, of New Vienna, and Isaac W. Mrs. Matthews died in June, 1845. Judge Matthews again married, in September, 1847, Margaret Patton, a native of Highland County, Ohio, who died in August, 1850, leaving no children. His third and present wife was Rebecca Nordyke, a native of this county. They were married in 1852. Four children are the fruits of this alliance-Luella, wife of W. H. Raunells, a prominent clothier of Wilmington; Clara, wife of C. W. Brown, of Wilmington; Charles A. and William. Judge Matthews' character for strict integrity and high principle, as well as his business ability, is beyond all question. He is ever ready to do what he can for others, at the expense of his own time and comfort. His social characteristics are those of a pleasant, genial companion and warm friend. A resident of the county for nearly half a century, Judge Matthews is well and favorably known, and none stand higher in public confidence and esteem.
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