John Mathis

    John Mathis (deceased) was a farmer of Shelby Township. He was born in Trimble County, Kentucky, in 1808. He came to Indiana at an early date, with his mother, who was Miss Mary Warden previous to her marriage to Mr. William Mathis, father of the subject of this sketch. His father died some time before his widow; and she, with a family of young children, came to this State, and made a new home for them, and raised them to be good citizens.

    Mr. Mathis was married march 24, 1831, to Miss Elizabeth Lee, daughter of Nathan Lee, who came to Indiana from Kentucky about 1815. Mr. Mathis and wife were the parents of twelve living children: William W., Nancy A., Mary J., Nathan L., Elijah, Susan, Rachel, Cytha, Elizabeth, Warner H., Malinda, Ealy and Richard. They are all married who are living, but two, Ealy and Richard, who are still at home with their mother, their father having died in 1876.

    Mr. Mathis was one of the pioneers of this county, and one of its best men. He was a prominent member and earnest supporter of the Baptist church for forty years before he died. he was liberal and honest with his neighbors, and is much missed by his large circle of friends and relatives.

    He voted for Mr. William H. Harrison for President in 1840, and was a Whig in politics, and an ardent supporter of Henry Clay. When the old Whig party ceased, he voted the Republican ticket. He owned 115 acres of well improved land, which is now owned by his youngest son, Richard, who cares for his widowed mother and youngest sister.

    Three of the sons, William W., Nathan L. and Elijah, served through the whole of the war. William was a Sergeant, and served for five years -he lives in Nebraska; Elijah lives in Jefferson County, and Nathan L. is a farmer in Kansas.

    Richard Mathis, the youngest son, was born January 1, 1854, is not married, and is one of the best and foremost farmers of Jefferson County.

Source: Biographical and Historical Souvenir for the counties of Clark, Crawford, Harrison, Floyd, Jefferson, Jennings, Scott and Washington, Indiana. By John M. Gresham & Co., 1889.