Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1884-04-30
DEAD IN HIS PRIME.
Ex. Governor Hsary Mathsw's
Name Added to the Long lIst
Of West Wrshla's
Distinguished Dsad.-.Ths HIitory
OF HE Brilliant and Sse-
csssfal Career
Az Student. Professor. Solder,
Lawyer, Lsslslater and ChIsf
Executive Of tho State.
Speciol q Ns Re0iseW.

LKwrsBuRe, W. Va. April s9.-Ex.Gov.
ernor Mathews did 1T his home IN this
place last night Several weeks ago hs We
attacked with erysipelss OF the fAos and
head, which at length reached the brain
and produced death.
Henry Mason Mathews was born In Lew
isburg. 6reenbrisr county, In 1854, and
wu twt nfty ysss oldss the time q his
death. He was the oldest son Of Mason
Mathews, who was prominent merchant
in that section for many years, man Of
high character and for several terms the
representative Of Greenbrisr county In the
General Assembly Of Virginia. His iimother's
maiden name was Reynolds, sistsr OF The
late Ger. Alexander Reynolds, who served
in the Confederate army and later figured
in the military service Of the Khedivs Of
Egypt.
Governor Mathews received his prspara.
tory education In the Lewisburg Academy
and from thence went to the University Of
Virginia, from which institution he grad.
uated with the highest honors. He then
attended lectures at the Law school Of
Judge Peterborough, at Lexington, Va.
and was admitted to the bar OF his native
county in 1857. In 1859 he was elected
professor in Allegheny College, . position
he filled until the commencement Of the
war in 1861. Rssigning his college pro.
iessorship, he entered the Confederate army
and accepted position on the military
staff OF General Stevenson with the rank
of Msjor Of Artillery. He was COM
plimeRted for distinguished services
in the memorable Nicksburg campaign.
At the close Of the war Major Matthews
returned to bis former home at LewisburE
succeeded In establishing himself ct the
head OF bis profession. Having Q natural
fondnets for political life and possessing
fine abilities and popular manners he nat
urslly came to the front 40 Q prominent
public man in his section. In 1855 he vs.
elected TO represent his district In the
state Senate OF West Virginia, bu. was
denied his seat by the Republican msjority
because OF his inability to take the test
oath. In 1874 he was slected 10 represent
Greenbrier county In the ConstitutionAl
Convention, which assembled at Charleston
| in January, 1872 and which framed the
present State Constitution. In that body
he displayed the brilliant talents he
possessed, and at The following State cleo
lion WAS made Attorney General OF the
State an Office he filed with rare ability.
In 1876 be was elected Governor by . tri.
umpbant majority over Gen. Gofi, and en-
tered upon the duties OF his high Office at
the city OF Wheeling on the Ith day OF
March, 1877. The inauguration ceremonies
of Governor Matthews will be remembers
ns the most imposing Of any ono Who has
ever filed the executive chair. His CUB.
ernatorisl administration 10 fresh In the
history OF the State rs one rejecting credit
alike upon the Governor and upon the
State whose chief magistrate he WAS Hs
received complimen tary votes for United
States Senator both In 1881 and 1888.
In 1889 Governor Matthews was married
| 10 Miss Lucy Fry a daughter OF the late
Judge Fry. OF Wheeling. and who. with
Two children, survive him.