Pleasant L. Matthews
Pleasant
L. Matthews, Esq., a well known, enterprising planter of James County, and a
resident of the Fourth Civil District, is a native of Tennessee, and was born in
McMinn County, near Athens, August 17, 1825, the son of John and Nancy (Collison)
Matthews. The father was of English descent, and the
mother's ancestors came from Ireland. The
father was a native of North Carolina, born in that State June 26,
1786, and died in James County, where our subject now lives, June 1, 1869. The
mother was born in Tennessee, and died May 5, 1860. The parents were married in
Blount County, Tenn. After their marriage they moved to McMinn County, and lived
in that county about twenty years, then came to Bradley County, where they lived
three years; then removed to what was then Hamilton County, but now James, about
1839, where they spent the remainder of their days. The father was by trade a
mechanic, to which be associated the farming interest, and made life a success.
He was a Democrat, and a worthy member of the Primitive Baptist Church about
sixty years. The mother was a member of the same church. Our subject is the
youngest of eight children, three of whom are still living. He secured a
common-school education in his youth, at Georgetown. In 1845 be went to Blount
County, and worked at the tanning business one year, and in the spring of 1846
he returned home and established a tanning business of his own, continuing nine
years, and was successful. In 1855 he commenced farming at the
old homestead, and since that date to the present he has given his
attention exclusively to agricultural pursuits, and has been very successful,
now owning 1,080 acres of land in James and Bradley Counties. He has been an
active man. On October 30, 1856, he was united in marriage with Miss Margaret
Williamson, a native of North Carolina, born in Mecklenburg County, April 17,
1839. Our subject was fortunate in his choice of a companion. To this union was
born one daughter, Nancy E., born September 1, 1857. She was married to Mr.
Edward Edwards, December 19, 1877. Our subject is a stanch Democrat. He is not a
member of any church, but is a firm believer in the
Christian religion, and is in sympathy with the Primitive Baptist Church. His wife, daughter and son-in-law, are members of
the Missionary Baptist Church. He has three grandchildren: Louis R., born
December 4, 1878; Margaret E., born October 4, 1881; Ina E., born April 13,
1884. Margaret E. died May 23, 1884. Our subject was justice of the peace
twenty-seven years.
“Goodspeed’s History
of East Tennessee,”