Meriwether County GaArchives Biographies.....James Christopher MATHEWS August 19 1855 - April 11 1916 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/gafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Phil Tidwell ptidwell2@mail.newnanutilities.org February 9, 2004, 11:43 am Author: Dr. James Christopher MATHEWS The following profile of Dr. James Christopher MATHEWS is autobiographical. I have edited modestly for readability and clarity, but have attempted to preserve the favor of Dr. MATHEWS' writing. His spelling was impeccable but his sentences tended to paragraph length. ======================= From The ========================== ==================== Mathews Manuscript ===================== ==================== By Dr. J. C. Mathews ===================== ======================== 1909 ============================ Dr. James Christopher MATHEWS of Gay, Georgia, seventh child and third son of Edward Gaither and Mildred Elizabeth MATHEWS was born at 7 o'clock P. M. Sunday August 19, 1855 at Eddy Grove, Meriwether County, Georgia. He had but little education at this time, like the younger of his brothers and sisters his school opportunities had been very limited. What education he had he had obtained it largely studying at night by the light of a small brass round wick lamp, after plowing all day, or doing other farm work on his father's farm. He remained on his father's farm until December 1874, when with his sister (Mrs. WRIGHT) and her family he migrated to Texas. In Texas he engaged in the stock business as a Texas cowboy. About a year after going to Texas his eye sight failed and he was compelled to give up his studies, until 1880, at which time he commenced the study of medicine, though he could see to read only a few minutes at a time. In the later months of 1880 his general health gave way and after a long attack of sickness he left his Texas home in March 1881 to return to Georgia. He did not reach his Georgia home until July of that year, having had a relapse on his way. He did not recover his health to the extent that he could take up his studies till January 1883; at which time he resumed the study of Medicine with his Uncles Dr. A. C. MATHEWS and Dr. D. A. MATHEWS of Elberton, Georgia. James Christopher MATHEWS entered the Medical Department of the University of Georgia at Augusta, Georgia in November 1883. He graduated from that school March 2, 1885. After graduation he located in Birdsville, Burke County, Georgia, where he practiced his profession with success until December 1886 when his health failed again. A complete physical wreck from over work and malaria poison, he returned to his old home of his boyhood days in Meriwether County. His health was so bad that he went to New York City for treatment and to improve his Medical education. Arriving in New York City in January 1887 he placed himself under the treatment of some of the most eminent physicians in that city. While in New York City James Christopher MATHEWS enrolled for a course of study in the New York Polyclinic School of Medicine. His health improved very rapidly and at the close of his course of study in the middle of April 1887 he returned to his native home in Meriwether County, Georgia. There he took up the practice of medicine at Rocky Mount, Georgia, where he practiced until February 1893. Then he gave up his practice and traveled for his health until July 1896 at which time he located at Fort Ogden, DeSoto County, Florida, and practiced until December 1897. In January 1898, he went to New York City and took a course of study in the New York Polyclinic School of Medicine. He returned to Florida in May of that year and located in Arcadia, DeSoto County, Florida and soon built for himself a fine practice which he had until October of 1903. His health failing and with malaria poison he soon had to leave his Florida home and practice and returned to New York Polyclinic School of Medicine and hospital for treatment and the study of medicine. In January 1903 he went to London, England where he took courses of study in medicine in King's College and Guys Hospital, until the middle of April. At which time he returned to his native home in Meriwether County, Georgia and took up his old practice. In the early months of 1907 he built a nice brick office in the little city of Gay, Meriwether County, Georgia. Dr. James Christopher MATHEWS built a practice second to no other Physician in his section of the country. He became the local surgeon for the A. B. & A. Rail Road. He lived in his office in Gay, Georgia so to never lose an hour from his practice. His office was surrounded by a beautiful flower garden, set and cultivated by Dr. MATHEWS himself. Additional Comments: ============= Epilogue ============= The manuscript I have was typed in Gay, Georgia and is dated July 27, 1909. Dr. MATHEWS never married, but as noted by a family member; he engaged in good and educated his orphaned nephews and nieces. He died April 11, 1916. His legacy to his family and community was in two parts. After first educating himself, he educated and helped to school, twenty-three boys and girls in a period of twenty-five years. Eleven of the young men and women he aided became graduates of schools in Georgia and became successful in their chosen professions. The second legacy of Dr. James Christopher MATHEWS was his love of family history and a pride in his family, living and dead. His pride in his MATHEWS ancestors is reflected in the following quote from his manuscript: "There has not been a war since the early settling of Saxony down to the present day that the MATHEWS family and their ancestors have failed to fight for their country's rights, or what they believed to be for their country's rights, and no better soldiers ever drew a sword in battle; and there are no better citizens in time of peace." Phil Tidwell This file has been created by a form at http://www.poppet.org/gafiles/ File size: 6.2 Kb