Alexander F. Mathews facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Alexander F. Mathews
Personal details
Born	November 13, 1838 Lewisburg, Virginia
Died	December 17, 1906 (aged 68) Lewisburg, West Virginia
Spouse	Laura Maud Gardner
Relations	Mathews family
Alma mater	University of Virginia
Profession	lawyer, banker, financier
Military service
Allegiance	Confederate States of America
Years of service	1861-1865
Rank	Captain Assistant Commissary of Subsistence Inspector of Conscription for the 8th Congressional District of Virginia
Unit	59th Virginia Infantry 1861-1863

Alexander Ferdinand Mathews (born 1838, died 1906) was an important person from West Virginia. He was a successful lawyer and banker. He also helped lead a university. During the American Civil War, he was an officer in the Confederate army, working closely with General Henry A. Wise.

Growing Up and Learning

Alexander F. Mathews was born on November 13, 1838. His hometown was Frankford, which was then in Virginia but is now part of Greenbrier County, West Virginia. His parents were Eliza (Reynolds) and Mason Mathews.

He went to a local school called Lewisburg Academy. Then, when he was just 15 years old, he started studying at the University of Virginia in 1854. He was very smart and earned a Master of Arts degree in less than two years. This was before he even turned 18, which was quite amazing for the time! He was also a member of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity.

In 1857, he went back to the University of Virginia School of Law to study law. In the same year, he passed his exams and became a lawyer.

His Role in the Civil War

When the American Civil War began in 1861, Alexander Mathews joined the Confederate States Army. He became a captain. He worked as an aide-de-camp (a special assistant) for Brigadier General Henry A. Wise. He helped General Wise during his military campaigns in Western Virginia.

Later, Mathews was moved to the 59th Virginia Infantry as a first lieutenant. He also worked as a drillmaster, helping to train soldiers. In 1864, he was given another important job. He became an Inspector of Conscription for Virginia's 8th congressional district. He stayed in this role until the war ended.

Life After the War

After the Civil War, Alexander Mathews married Laura M. Gardner on December 28, 1865. They had eight children together: Mason, Charles Gardner, Mary Miller, Eliza Patton, Maud, Florence, and Henry.

Because of rules made after the war, Alexander Mathews could not practice law right away. So, he taught at the Lewisburg Academy for several years. This was the same school where he had studied when he was younger.

Once the rules changed, he and his brother, Henry M. Mathews, opened their own law firm called Mathews & Mathews. It became one of the most successful law firms in their area.

Helping West Virginia University

Alexander Mathews was chosen to be on the Board of Regents for West Virginia University when it was a very new school. He served on the board from 1871 to 1881. This meant he helped guide the university in its early years.

Starting a Bank

In 1871, Alexander Mathews, along with Adam C. Snydor and Homer A. Holt, started the very first bank in Greenbrier County, West Virginia. For many years, until 1888, this was the only bank for about 200 miles between Staunton, Virginia and Charleston, West Virginia.

He was either the president or a director of this bank until he passed away. Mathews also helped start another bank, the First National Bank of Ronceverte, when it was officially recognized by the state in 1888.

Alexander F. Mathews passed away on December 16, 1906, in Philadelphia. He was buried at the Old Stone Church in Lewisburg, West Virginia.

See Also

• Mathews family

Images for kids

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  Alexander Ferdinand Mathews

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  Insignia of a Confederate Captain