Memorable Manitobans: James Alexander Matthews (1886-1954)

Building contractor.

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 Fish and Game 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
Tache Apartments	117 Bryce Street, Winnipeg	1913
Alma Apartments	269 Young Street, Winnipeg	1914
Heather Apartments	247 Young Street, Winnipeg	1925
Cambridge Apartments	303 Furby Street, Winnipeg	1926
Colony Apartments	221 Colony Street, Winnipeg	1927
Newhaven Apartments	199 Colony Street, Winnipeg	1928
Yale Apartments	209 Colony Street, Winnipeg	1929

Sources:

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: 27 March 2022

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