(March 3, 1874-November 4, 1903) Tennessee native John Giles Matthews came to Texas with his parents in 1839 and settled in the new town of Austin. A Ranger for the Republic of Texas, Matthews served in the Mexican War and the Civil War before moving to Williamson County in 1870. Here he was a farmer and was active in church, school and civic activities. The father of 9 children, he was first married to Sarah (Strong) (d. 1852). In 1855 he wed Leanorah (Carothers) (d. 1892).