Born at Carleton Place, Ontario on 5 April 1886, son of Jacob Matthews and Janet Anderson, he came to Winnipeg in 1902 and worked in building construction as owner and manager of J. A. Matthews Company, President of Superior Builders Limited, and a director of Builders Mutual Supply Company.
He was married twice, first on 21 November 1906 to Cora Mildred Evans (1889-1916) at Winnipeg. They had three children: Evelyn Mildred Matthews (1908-?, wife of ? Spring), Norman James Matthews (1909-?), and Marjorie Matthews (?-?, wife of ? Barnes). On 21 December 1921, he married Rossie Mildred Innis (1899-1961) at Winnipeg and they had four children: Ruth Innis Matthews (c1926-1987, wife of Edward Mitchell Juzak), Janet Elizabeth Matthews (1927-1978, wife of Jack Hudson), Donald A. Matthews, and Thomas Matthews. The family lived at 66 Riverside Drive. He was a member of the Granite Curling Club and Manitoba Game and Fish Association. He took an active part in the founding and building of the Wildewood Club.
He died at the Grace Hospital on 7 July 1954 and was buried in the Garry Memorial Park.
Some of his construction works in Manitoba included:
Building
Location
Year
Status
117 Bryce Street, Winnipeg
1913
269 Young Street, Winnipeg
1914
247 Young Street, Winnipeg
1925
303 Furby Street, Winnipeg
1926
221 Colony Street, Winnipeg
1927
199 Colony Street, Winnipeg
1928
209 Colony Street, Winnipeg
1929
Ontario birth registration, Ancestry.
Marriage registrations, Manitoba Vital Statistics.
Birth registrations [Evelyn Mildred Matthews, Norman James Matthews], Manitoba Vital Statistics.
1911 Canada census, Automated Genealogy.
Death registration [Cora Mildred Mathews], Manitoba Vital Statistics.
“Ruth Innes Matthews becomes bridge of Edward M. Juzak,” Winnipeg Tribune, 14 September 1949, page 15.
“J. A. Matthews, 68, prominent city contractor, dies,” Winnipeg Tribune, 8 July 1954, page 33.
Obituary [Rossie Mildred Matthews], Winnipeg Tribune, 22 December 1961, page 24.
Obituary [Janet Elizabeth Hudson], Winnipeg Free Press, 25 July 1978, page 103.
Obituary [Ruth Innis Juzak], Winnipeg Free Press, 16 May 1987, page 31.
This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.
Page revised: 8 November 2024
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