Gen. Salmon S. Matthews: The record of the life of this gentleman, affords a striking illustration of the results of force and decision of purpose and a man, as well as of power which and energetic and Honorable character exercises upon the lives of others. From boyhood years unceasingly applied himself to the development of the nobler qualities of heart and mind, and as a consequence, yields a large influence. Well dowered with stability in firmness, these attributes, together with forethought and persistent labor, have been instrumental in bringing about his present prosperous circumstances. Chief among those characteristics is his patriotism, which led him to offer services to his love country and her hour of need, and made him deem that no sacrifice to great and her by half.

A native of this County, general Matthews was born in Troy Township, September 5, 1837, and is a younger son of Salmon J. Matthews, a native of Livingston County New York, where he was born in 1799. The father removed in 1822 to Oakland County, Michigan, purchasing a farm of 120 acres in Troy Township, erected thereon good buildings and carried on general farming. A public spirited man, he was widely known and universally respected, while his death in 1850 was felt to be a loss to the community. The grandfather of our subject, Salmon Matthews, came to Michigan late in life, and died in this County. His remains interred at Auburn.

The mother of General Matthews was Susan Whitney, a native of New York State, and a daughter of Parker Whitney. She died in Troy Township in 1864. She was the mother of nine children, eight of whom live to maturity, and seven of whom are still living, five being residence of Oakland County. As fifteen years of age young Salmon S. began to clerk and a store at Oxford, for Joel P. Toms. Later he clerked for G. H. Emmons, and two years later became a partner in the store. In 1859 Mr. Matthews sold out to his partner, and in the same winter he became clerk in the store of Isaac Butterfield, of Pontiac. In April 1861, he enlisted and in June 1861, was commissioned as first Lieutenant of Company D, it Michigan Infantry, Col. H. D. Terry, and in September joined the Army of the Potomac.

The regiment fought in the battle of Pohick church, Williamsburg, Fairoaks, Glendale, Malvern Hill, Manassas, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Mine Run, Wilderness, Spotsylvania, North Anna, Tolopotomoy, Cold harbor, Petersburg, Strawberry Plains, Boydton Plankroads, Hatchies Run, Fall of Petersburg, and Sailor’s Creek. In all of these engagements general Matthews participated, with the exception of those occurring when he was confined in Libby prison, or suffering or sickness.

At the battle of the Wilderness the general was shot to the right shoulder, the bullet passing downward, coming out just below the scapula. He also received of flesh wound and is laid in the battle of Gettysburg. He was wounded at Glendale June 30, 1862, being shot in the left leg below the knee. He lay in the battlefield two weeks, having been taken prisoner, was removed to Libby prison July 14, and after being There are short time, was paroled, and exchanged in September. He was finally sent the Baltimore and spent some time in the hospital before going home.

His wounded continued very troublesome, the bone being badly shattered, but in December 1862, he rejoined his regiment near Bell plains, Virginia, and assumed command of his company. His brave conduct during the next two years promoted him to a mages commission, and in 1863 he was made lieutenant colonel. On March 13, 1865, for meritorious service at the battles of Glendale and the Wilderness, he was a brevetted Colonel and Brigadier General. He was mustered out of service on a surgeon certificate of disability December 21, 1864. The Fifth Regiment Sustain the Heaviest Losses of Any Michigan Regiment, and fourth in the United States.

General Matthews now return to Pontiac, but it was years before he recovered his health sufficiently to engage very assiduously in business. In June 1866 he received an appointment of postmaster from President Andrew Johnson, and held this office for nine years. He then engaged in business at Detroit, residing however and Pontiac. He was then appointed Master General of Michigan on the staff of Governor John G. Bagley, for a term of two years, and was reappointed to the same position by Governor Croswell, which position he resigned upon being appointed United States Marshal for the Eastern District of Michigan by President Hayes. That office he held for nine years, having been reappointed by President Grant.

In 1866 general Matthews was elected Sheriff of Oakland County, serving for two years and declining a renomination. His official life was marked by a high order of executive ability, and his sterling honesty gave him the confidence of the people and extended popularity. He was married may twenty-nine 1877, to Miss Anna E. Hill, of Pontiac, daughter of Harvey N. Hill. They have one son, Charlie S., Now ten years old. General Matthews was Grand Commander of the Knights Templar of Michigan, and a member of the Dick Richardson post No. 147, G. A. R., also the Loyal Legion, of Michigan. He with his wife and son are members of the Presbyterian Church, and he is a present superintendent of the Sunday school. He is recognized as one of the staunch and representative Republicans of the state, and was tendered the nomination for Congress from this district, but declined an account of the pressure of other duties. His elegant residence on Clark Street is an ornament to the city, and beneath its hospitable roof the general in a sustainable wife are wont to entertain their many friends.