Christopher C. Mathews, 12th West Virginia Infantry, Civil War

CHRISTOPHER C. MATHEWS, Sgt., Company "A"

Civil War Medal of Sgt. Christopher C. Mathews
Donated to the Marshall County Historical Society by Dr. Robert Durig.
(Photo by Lonnie Kiger)

Christopher C. Mathews
15 Nov 1843 - 26 Apr 1927

Past Post Commander
J. C. Caldwell Post No. 22, G. A. R.
Moundsville, W.Va.

History of the Upper Ohio Valley,
Vol. I, pages 720-721. Brant & Fuller, 1890.

Christopher Mathews, postmaster and merchant at Thompson, Marshall county, and one of the prominent citizens of the county, was born November 15, 1843, at Moundsville, the son of James R. and Martha M. Mathews, nee Davis, both of whom are now living. He was reared on the farm, and at the age of eighteen he became a volunteer soldier in the army of the Union. As a private in Company A, Twelfth regiment West Virginia infantry, he was mustered in August 9, 1862, and he was promoted corporal August 15, 1862, and sergeant April 12, 1864. He served nearly three years in his gallant regiment, participating in the following battles: Winchester, New Market, Piedmont, Lynchburg, Snicker's Ferry, Kernstown, Fisher's Hill, Cedar Creek, Hatcher's Run, the capture of Fort Gregg and Appomattox. In these and minor engagements he was among the foremost of his command. Being discharged June 16, 1865, he was married on September 14th, to Esther J. Scott, of whose parents mention is elsewhere made. They made their home in Round Bottom, on the farm which he afterward purchased, and where they now have a pleasant home. In politics Mr. Mathews is a staunch republican. In 1881 he was appointed deputy by Sheriff Hicks, and he occupied the sheriff's residence at Moundsville during the four years following. He was a popular and efficient man in this position, and when in 1888, he was induced to become a candidate for nomination for the office of sheriff, he stood second in the race among the six leading men who contested for the honor. For years Mr. Mathews has served his community as a member of the board of education. Since youth he has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and he is now class leader at McClean chapel. Socially, he is quite popular, and as a business man he is successful and influential. By the marriage above mentioned, Mr. Mathews has had three children: William B., born August 27, 1866; John I., born January 3, 1869; Madge R., born July 8, 1874. John I. died November 9, 1886.

(Christopher Columbus Mathews is buried at Mt. Rose Cemetery, Moundsville, W.Va.)

William B. Mathews, a son of Christopher, and one of the leading young men of Moundsville, was born in Marshall county, August 27, 1866. He began his education in the common schools and was subsequently a student in the Moundsville high school, where he was graduated in 1883. He then entered Waynesburg college, Penn., and became a graduate of that institution in 1886. He has taught school six terms, and he is of high repute in his profession, and popular in the community as a skillful and thorough teacher. For two years he has served on the board of examiners of Marshall county, and at present he is engaged in the study of law. Mr. Mathews is captain of Gen. B. F. Kelley camp, Sons of Veterans, is in politics, a republican, and is a member and steward of the Methodist Episcopal church of Thompson. In 1880 he received the appointment of notary public.