Newell Mathews

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Newell Mathews (ca. 1833–1907) was a successful 19th−century businessman in Los Angeles, California, and was a member of the Los Angeles Common Council, the governing body of that city.

Personal[]

Mathews was born in 1834 and married Sarah Snell Olds of Lamoille Township, Bureau County, Illinois, on July 4, 1868, in that state.[1] He came to Los Angeles about 1877 from Illinois and had a successful business career: He represented the Studebaker Wagon Company and had his own implement and machinery dealership in the 200 block of North Los Angeles Street.[2]

He died of heart failure on January 30, 1907, in a rooming house on South Broadway. A masseuse who was with him at the time summoned help when he was stricken, but four minutes after a doctor arrived, Mathews was dead at age 74.[2]

Mathews, a member of the Unitarian Church, was survived by his wife, née Sarah Snell Olds, three daughters—Amanda, Julia and Ellen—and a son, Bryant.[2] The family home was at 2103 South Union Avenue[3] in today's University Park district.[4]

Common Council[]

Mathews was elected on December 5, 1887, to represent the 1st Ward on the Los Angeles Common Council and resigned his post on December 1, 1888.[5]

References and notes[]

  1. ^ RootsWeb
  2. ^ a b c "Dies After Being Rubbed," Los Angeles Times, January 31, 1907, page II-1
  3. ^ "Events in Local Society," Los Angeles Times, January 17, 1907, page II-6
  4. ^ [1] Location of the Mathews home on Mapping L.A.
  5. ^ Chronological Record of Los Angeles City Officials,1850-1938, compiled under direction of Municipal Reference Library, City Hall, Los Angeles (March 1938, reprinted 1966). "Prepared ... as a report on Project No. SA 3123-5703-6077-8121-9900 conducted under the auspices of the Works Progress Administration."
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