New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-06-19
BROOKLYN NEWS.
AZEL d. MATTHEWS DEAD.
FOUNDER OF THE BIG DEPARTMENT
STORE EXPIRES IN PITTS
FIELD, MASS.

Azel D. Matthews. founder of the firm Of A D.
Matthews & Sons and OF the first to introduce
the department store in Brooklyn, died suddenly
yesterday morning in Pittsfield, Mass He was In
his ninety-second year. When he left Brooklyn on
June g. he seemed to be in unusually good health
for one of his age and the news OF his death came
as a surprise TO his friends in Brooklyn. With
him at the time were his two daughters. Miss l..
c. Matthews and Mrs. Ruth Forman. They were
staying at the Hotel Wendell. in Pittsfeld, await
ing the completion of some alterations TO MI
Matthew's country place In Hinsdale. Mass.
James Matthews. OF the sons, went at once
10 Pittsfeld, and will return to Brooklyn with the
body Of his father probably to-day. The arrange
ments for the funeral Will then be made.
Mr.. Matthews not only successful business
man, but took deep interest and active part
in church and charitable work He was typical
example OF Yankee pluck and energy. A poor boy
reared on the farm in the Berkshires Of Massa-
chusetts. he set in the world for himself. and
through a diversity of experiences finally became
the head of one of the large department stores IN
Brooklyn.
Mr. Matthews was born in Hinsdale April %, 1909.
At the age of fourteen. with his fathers consent,
he obtained employment a farm at Conway.
There he worked for several years. attending
school at night and making the most of his
meagre advantages. Ambitious to become more
than a farmer. the boy, at the age of nineteen.
jumped at q chance to accompany drover to
Boston. He walked all the way caring for a
Boston, he Brooklyn a schooner. For
some time he searched for work and had almost
become discouraged, when opening came in
the Van Nostrand tannery. panic wiped out
this business and when financial affairs had
settled down again Mr.. Matthews began his mer
camille career.
1t in 1887 that the young opened a dry
goods store at No SO Main-st Ill health obliged
him to give up business for a while. and he re-
turned to Massachusetts,. Later he made another
with StO a No 10
tbst time for tbe oI business The arm now has
about one thousand in its various departments
Mr. Matthews watched the slow movement of the
He was the first to go so far as Futon-st. and
Gallatin Place, where he opened store about
Business increased so rapidly that it soon be-
eenfe Of fhe od * T6s f NTH a a660s tn
Gus times is the PFGPeFy occupied pG hack 5day 70
smith,st., new five story building having been
Mr. Matthews had been a constant adviser of his
sons. James and Gardiner D. Matthews. but had
First Presbyterian Church and afterward with St
AIMS Protestant Episcopal Church. For many
years he was the superintendent of the latter's
ST. Peters Church and the Church of the Messiah
When he went to live at the present family home,
with the Lafayette Avenue Presbyterian Church
he was for years an active worker in the Brook
Ign Sunday School Union. An Italian mission, at
No % Front-st, received his particular attention
Mr.. Matthews had a host of friends, and one. of
when the fm and dis his fFeRds a
ago Seven children are still living-James Mat
thews, Gardner D. Matthews, Mrs. Frank Bond
Smith f anG MISS sn LIZZIE MaheWs MIS- "
Although no announcement 11i has been made in re-
morrow night in in, the lafayette Avenue Presby-
Rev. DR.. Theodore L. Cuyler will conduct the
services.