Newell Mathews

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. "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. 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."
  • Access to the Los Angeles Times links may require the use of a library card.


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