Veteran: Civil War (union)

2nd h/o Mrs Sarah E (Wikersham) Gibbs.

Birth: in Gallia county, Ohio.

Census: 1850, age 11 Rutland, Meigs county, Ohio with parents & younger sister.

Census: 1860, age 21 Fairfield, Jefferson county, Iowa in a boarding house.

Reportedly graduated from University of Michigan's Medical school 1866.

Census: 1870, age 30 Lebanon, Laclede county, Missouri with wife, two daughters and three step children.

Census: 1880, age 41 Carthage, Jasper county, Missouri wuth wife, three kids & one step son.

Founding president of Carthage's first Y M C A, 5 June 1890.

Census: 1900, age 60 Joplin, Jasper county, Missouri with wife & son.

Census: 1910, age 70 Kansas City, Jackson county, Missouri with son head of household.

Death: in Carthage, Jasper county, Missouri.

FATHER: Fidius [Pheneus] Matthews
Birthplace: Massachusetts (1770-1854)
MOTHER: Chloe Maria Sissons Matthews
Birthplace: New York (1803-1855)

Marriage: Mrs Sarah E (Wikersham) Gibbs b: 3 JUL 1832 Versailles, Woodford county, Kentucky.
Married: 1867 Lebanon, Laclede county, Missouri.

Known Children

Three step children of her first marriage.

Nettie Matthews b: about 1868 Lebanon, Laclede county, Missouri

Marry Lucille Matthews b: 15 NOV 1869 Lebanon, Laclede county, Missouri.

Wallace Matthews b: 29 JAN 1873 Carthage, Jasper county, Missouri.

Frank Matthews b: 11 AUG 1875 Carthage, Jasper county, Missouri.

CARTHAGE EVENING PRESS
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1918

DR. L. I. MATTHEWS DIES

PIONEER PHYSICIAN, LONG IN FEEBLE HEALTH, WAS 79

Served Twice in Union Army During War and Became Captain - Came to Jasper County in 1874

Dr. Luther I. Matthews, a retired physician, for many years a leading practitioner here and prominent in political and other activities, died at 4 o'clock this afternoon at the home of his daughter, Mrs. J. A. McMillian, 1363 South Maple Street. He had been retired for ten years on account of past health and had been an invalid for the last few years.

Dr. Matthews was 79 years old. He was a veteran of the Civil War and was a captain, having risen from the ranks. He was born in Gallia county, Ohio July 31, 1839. He graduated from higher schools at Fairfield, Iowa and for a time taught school. When the war came he enlisted in the Second Iowa Infantry. He became ill with typhoid fever after some months of service and was discharged. He came to Missouri, recuperated, and enlisted in the Eighth Missouri Calvary, later becoming a captain in that organization.
Mr. Matthews was 24 years old when he entered the army. At the close of the struggle he went to the State University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, where he studied medicine, graduating from that school. He returned to Lebanon, Missouri where he practiced medicine until he came to Carthage in 1871. He established a large practice here and took a leading part in many matters of civic importance.
Dr. Matthews married while living at Lebanon.

About twenty years ago, Dr. Matthews and family moved to Joplin. Mrs. Matthews died ten years ago and Dr. Matthews soon gave up his practice, returning to Carthage to make his home.

He was city physician in Joplin at one time. While a resident of Carthage in earlier days he was county chairman of the Republican committee. He also served for one term as president of the state medical association.

Dr. Matthews was a member of the Elks Lodge here, also the G. A. R. He belonged to the First Methodist Episcopal Church.

The daughter, Mrs. McMillian, and two sons;
Wallace Matthews of California and
Frank Matthews of Joplin survive.

Missouri Death Certificate