Frank Mathews

Frank Mathews

Frank Mathews, farmer, section 6, Bridgeton Township, was born in Burke, Ontario, April 10, 1830. His parents, Fred and Mary Mathews, were of French descent and natives of Ontario. When he was 14 years old Mr. Mathews left home to engage as a boatman on the Mississippi River, where he was occupied five years. In 1849, he came to Muskegon County and found employment at various points in lumbering until 1867, when he came to Newaygo County and purchased 40 acres of wild land in Bridgeton Township, where he engaged in farming. He has achieved a most creditable and permanent success, and now owns a farm of 240 acres, all of it under improvements excepting 100 acres. The high degree of cultivation and expensive farm buildings put the place in the foremost rank in the county.

Mr. Mathews was married in Muskegon, in November, 1856, to Margaret, daughter of Henry and Sophia Rono, born in Canada, of a direct line of French ancestry. The daughter was born July 8, 1837, in Wisconsin, and was brought in her youth to Muskegon. She died Sept. 8, 1883, leaving six children. Two others, Freddie and Nelsie, died before their mother. Those yet living were born as follows: Frank, Aug. 25, 1857; Dellie, Nov. 25, 1859; Freddie, Feb. 7, 1862 (died Dec. 16, 1864); Ellen, Oct. 14, 1864; Henry, July 26, 1867; Jennie, Aug. 14, 1869; Minnie S., Jan. 13, 1872.

Mrs. Mathews was a member of the Roman Catholic Church, and lived a consistent, orderly life. She is sincerely mourned as a kind, considerate mother, a model wife and a generous-hearted, sympathetic neighbor.

Mr. Mathews is a Republican, and has been the incumbent of the position of School Director several successive years.

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