James E. Matthews, a well-known farmer and stockman of Jackson county, is a native of Illinois. He was born in Central county, December 16, 1864, and is a son of Adam T. Matthews, a native of Ireland, who came to America at the age of twelve years, locating in Illinois, where he spent his life as a farmer and stock raiser. He died in 1887. James E. Matthews' mother died when he was a child, about two years old, and about six years later, the family came to Kansas and settled near Winchester, Jefferson county. Here the boy attended the district schools, and worked on the farm with his father until he was twenty-one years old when he began farming for himself. He removed to Wabaunsee county and followed farming near Eskridge three years. He then went to Topeka, where he was engaged in the grain and feed business for five years; when he again turned his attention to farming. He rented a farm five miles south of Topeka, where he was engaged in the dairy business about five years. He also owned a farm in Shawnee county, known as the "Cloverdale farm," at that time. In 1901, he bought a section of land in Wabaunsee county, near Vera, which he sold the following fall. In 1909, he sold his Shawnee county farm at a handsome profit, when he went to Jackson county and purchased the "Jerry Chub farm," near Hoyt. This is considered one of the best improved farms in Jackson county, and is his present home. He is engaged in general farming and stock feeding, and does an extensive business. He prepares about 200 head of cattle and about the same number of hogs each year for the market. His farm comprises 160 acres and is equipped with all modern farm buildings and improvements including two silos with a capacity of two hundred tons each. His barn is one of the largest and most modern in the county. Mr. Matthews was married December 25, 1895, to Miss Mary Ella Thompson, a native of Zanesville, Ohio. She is a daughter of David and Elizabeth E. Thompson, also natives of Ohio. The Thompson family came to Kansas in 1882, and settled near Winchester, Jefferson county, where the father was engaged in farming and stock raising until his death, which occurred in September, 1911. His wife died in October of the same year. Mr. and Mrs. Matthews have two children: Thomas Lee, born at Eskridge, Kans., now employed in the general offices of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad Company, at Topeka; and Ester Hazel, born at Topeka, and resides at home with her parents. Mr. Matthews' political views are Republican, and he is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. The family are members of the Reformed Presbyterian church.