Greenbrier County, West Virginia - 160th Anniversary Booklet - Part 20 *********************************************************************** USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. *********************************************************************** Historical Booklet - Greenbrier County 160th Anniversary - 1778-1938 Published 1938 Transcribed by Lori Samples THE CREDIT OF THE COUNTY No stronger statement can be made about any man than the old saying "his word is a s good as his bond!" Such a man was Greenbrier County's first "official" banker - Alexander Ferdinand Mathews, of Lewisburg. >From all that can be gathered and word-of mouth passed down through the years, it seems likely that the original settlers in the county had no need of a banker, although they did do business on a credit basis, when necessary, every man knowing whom he might trust and acting accordingly. when a man's crops failed, he received help from his neighbors with no thought of interest due. Wen his neighbors needed help, he repaid them, giving full measure running over. As time ran on, a central clearing house was badly needed. Someone in whom the people had confidence, some place where money might be obtained by energetic, capable citizens with laudable ambition to better themselves, to build for their descendants - these became necessary. ALEX F. MATHEWS The need was met by one of Greenbrier's most dignified, distinguished and respected men - Alex F. Mathews. He was the second son of Mason and Elizabeth (Reynolds) Mathews. His elder brother was Henry Mason Mathews, Greenbrier's first Governor of West Virginia. He was born Novermber 13, 1838, and he died December 18, 1906, at the age of 68 years, 1 month and 4 days. He was educated at the old Lewisburg Academy and the University of Virginia, graduating shortly before the Civil War with the degree of Master of Arts. In 1861 he entered the Confederate Army. He served on the STaff of General Wise, and the record shows that on Aug. 11, 1861, he held the rank of Captain and Assistant Commissary of Subsistence. He was relieved from duty with the 59th Virginia Regiment on June 22, 1863. On December 28, 1865, he married Miss Laura Gardner, of Christiansburg, VA. There children were Mason, Charles Gardner, Mary Miller, Eliza Patton, Maud, Florence, and Henry. Alex Mathews was the leading figure in founding the Bank of Lewisburg, which opened for business on July 29, 1971. The thirty-three year old banker was president or a director of the bank continuously until his death. Among those hwo worked with him in starting the financial institution which still enjoys the confidence of Greenbrier were Judge Adam Snyder and Judge Homer A. Holt. Alex's brother, Joseph William, was the first cashier of the bank. He held this office until his death in 1897. For many years, Lewisburg had the only bank between Staunton and Charleston. The First National Bank of Ronceverte is the second oldest bank in the present Greenbrier County. It was founded in 1888 and became a national bank in 1890. SAVING THE CREDIT An interesting financial story concerns an Old Man Broughy, of Pocahontas, who refused to lose faith in the Confederate Cause. He made and sold many canes, willingly accepting Confederate money. He believed depreciation was the scheme of a few men who meant to redeem all they could get at face value. Col. Joel McPherson, Greenbrier County Clerk, signed a great deal of County Script. Old Man Broughy entered the office one day several years after the war. He had a heavy walking stick, two Big Bowie knives, and two navy six-shooters - and hundreds of dollars in Greenbrier County script for redemption. Col. Joel tried to reason with Broughy, but it was no use. Finally he said, "Why, my dear sir, I have no funds with which to pay you...Those things were to be paid in Confederate money, anyhow. that was all we had in those days." "Well, that's what I want," said Broughy. "Old Confederate money is good enough for me!" The Colonel sighed in relief, and in a few minutes the credit of the county was saved. NEXT: EARLY TIMBERING IN THE GREENBRIER VALLEY