Henry C. Mathews, who follows farming in San Joaquin county, making his home at French Camp, came to this county in 1879 and with the exception of a year spent near Clayton, California, has resided continuously since in this locality, covering a period, therefore, of a quarter of a century. he is now a member of the firm of Miller & Mathews, well known as agriculturists and stock-raisers.

Mr. Marhews is a native of Posey county, Indiana, his birth having occurred there on the 21st of October, 1856. He is a son of John and Elizabeth (Hust) Mathews, who were early settlers of Posey county, their respective parents having located there in early pioneer times when that district was a frontier region and the work of progress and civilization had been scarcely begun. They took an active part in its early development and aided in laying broad and deep its foundation for later improvement.

Henry C. Mathews was reared to manhood in the county of his nativity, spending his boyhood days upon his father's farm, where he was early trained to habits of industry and economy. He worked in the fields through the summer months, in fact, aided in the farm work from the time of early spring planting until after crops were harvested in the late autumn. Throughout his entire business career he has followed the occupation to which he was reared. His educatinal privileges were those afforded by the public schools near his home. In 1879 he came to California, where he has resided continuously since and as before state has made his home through consecutive years in San Joaquin county, with the exception of one year passed in Clayton. He has always carried on general farming and has to-day three hundred and twenty acres of land near French Camp.

On the 23d of September, 1886, Mr. Mathews was united in marriage to Miss Adeline E. Sperry, a native of Calaveras county and a daughter of Loren and Fidelia (Farmon) Sperry. Her mother is now residing in Calaveras county and is numbered among the pioneer women of the state. She came to California in her early girhood and is now living at Copperopolis in her sixty-sixth year. The father of Mrs. Mathews died during the early girlhood of his daughter. To our subject and his wife have been born four children: Harold M., Percy R., Carrie R. and Hattie N. The parents hold membership in the Seventh Day Adventist church at Stockton, in which Mr. Mathews is serving as an elder, and in the church work they take an active and helpful part. In his political views he is a Democrat. During his long residence in San Joaquin county he has formed a wide and favorable acquaintance and he has also gained creditable success, though he came to California empty-handed, and by perseverance and determination has gained a place among the substantial agiculturists of the community.

Source: History of the New California Its Resources and People, Volume II

The Lewis Publishing Company - 1905
Edited by Leigh H. Irvine