Joseph W. Matthews
Joseph W. Matthews | |
---|---|
Governor of Mississippi | |
In office January 10, 1848 – January 10, 1850 | |
Preceded by | Albert G. Brown |
Succeeded by | John A. Quitman |
Personal details | |
Born | 1812 Huntsville, Alabama, U.S. |
Died | (aged 49–50) Palmetto Georgia, , U.S. |
Political party | Democratic |
Joseph Warren Matthews (1812 – August 27, 1862) was an American politician who served as
Biography
Matthews was born near
In 1840, he was elected representative to the legislature from Marshall County, and was senator from that county from 1844 to 1848. On June 7, 1847 the
Mathews was a plain-spoken man, and was derided by the aristocratic Whigs for his humble beginnings. A surveyor, he worked for a time as a young man as a well digger, thus earning him the derisive nickname, "Old Copperas Britches."
During his administration, the state adopted a new legal code, established an institution for the blind, and the University of Mississippi opened for its first session in the fall of 1848. The Jackson-Brandon railroad also began operation, and telegraph service became available in Jackson and other parts of the state.[1]
In 1862, Matthews accepted a commission in the Confederate army, but died in transit at Palmetto, Georgia. There is a large monument to Matthews located in the Matthews family cemetery on his former plantation. This monument is in a wooded area approximately 1,000 feet (300 m) due north from the intersection of Hoover Road and Bonds Loop, and is not visible from the road. It was placed by the Sons of Confederate Veterans.
References
- ^ "Governors of Mississippi". Archived from the original on September 25, 2006. Retrieved February 26, 2007.
- "Joseph W. Matthews". National Governors Association. Retrieved March 21, 2016.