Page:Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography volume 5.djvu/418

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VIRGINIA BIOGRAPHY

through its wide circulation wields strong influence extending over a wide radius. Mr. Green later founded the "Daily Exponent" at Clarksburg. West Virginia, and managed it for three years. The political sympathies of both of these papers are Democratic, both carrying weight and power in favor of that party. Mr. Green is also the owner of the "Orange Review," Orange, Virginia, and through his numerous connections is a prom- inent figure in the world of journalism in the state, those periodicals over which he holds control comparing favorably with any in Virginia.

He is a member of the Richmond Bar Association and the Catalpa Club, serving the Culpeper National Bank in the capacity of director. His political affiliation has ever been with the Democratic party, and to its councils he has been admitted as an influ- ential supporter, having for five years been chairman of the eighth district congressional committee and since 1906 a member of the Virginia state Democratic committee. He is the author of "Green's Genealogical Notes of Culpeper County, Virginia," a review and enlargement of the "History of St. Mark's Parish," by Rev. Philip Slaughter, D. D., Mr. Green's ancestors, beginning with Rob- ert Green and in each succeeding genera- tion have been vestrymen of that parish. His church is the Protestant Episcopal.

He married, in 1902, Lucile Buckner Dove, born in Rappahannock county, Vir- ginia, in 1876, granddaughter of Dr. John Dove, for many years grand secretary of the Grand Lodge of the ]\Iasonic Order of Vir- ginia, great-great-granddaughter of Colonel Jonathan Catlett Gibson, the first, of Cul- peper, and has children : Raleigh Travers Jr., born December 10, 1902 ; Anne McDon- ald, born December 18, 1903; Lucy Gibson, born July 15, 1905; John Buckner, born Au- gust 18, 1907; George Mason, born October

James 'William Mathews, Edwin Elving- ton Mathews. Since earliest colonial days there has been a Mathews family in Vir- ginia and on the tablet recently placed in Old Burton Church at Williamsburg, Vir- ginia, by the New York Chapter of the Daughters of Founders and Patriots, is this inscription :

To the glory of God

And in memory of

Honorable Samuel Mathews

Captain general and governor

of Virginia, 1622-1660.

On the ground opposite Jamestown on which Samuel Alathews settled in 1622, the Jamestown Exhibition was held in 1907, commemorating the third centennial of its settlement. The name of the estate was Denbigh and it was one of the most impor- tant of the dominion containing nearly three thousand acres. The family has been an influential one in all generations and is now represented in Portsmouth, Virginia, by James \\'illiam and Edwin Elvington Mathews, the former city plumbing inspec- tor, the latter head of the "Kirn Korner" Pharmacy Company.

They are sons of Matthew James Mathews, and grandsons of James William Mathews, a contractor and builder, who came to Portsmouth and in 1855 was town sergeant. He was employed in construction work at the navy yard several years, was well known in business circles, active in the church and very popular in his community. He married Mary Elizabeth Manning. Mat- thew James Mathews was born in Ports- mouth in 1848, died in 1909. He was edu- cated in the public schools. He learned the Ijusiness of carpenter, and at one time was a contractor. He worked in the Portsmouth navy yard as carpenter and joiner. He was a charter member of the Chambers Fire Company. Matthew J. Mathews married (first) Mattie Neville, of Portsmouth, who died in 1883, leaving two sons: James Wil- liam and Edwin Elvington. He married (second) Susan P. Jones, who bore him two sons: Seth W., born 1891, married, 1912, Nancy Heart; Matthew Stewart, born 1893. married. 1914, Jessie Pedgoe.

James William Mathews, eldest of the two sons of Matthew James Mathews by his first wife, Mattie (Neville) Mathews, was born December 19, 1877, in Portsmouth, \'irginia. He was educated in the public schools. On arriving at suitable age he be- gan serving an apprenticeship at the plumb- ing trade. He served his full time, then was a journeyman and became one of the best men in the trade. His reputation was such that he was employed as a first class mechanic at the navy yard in Portsmouth nnd held that important position until Jan-