Matthewf  
 

Transcribed from "An Illustrated History of The Big Bend Country, embracing Lincoln, Douglas, Adams and Franklin counties, State of Washington",  published by Western Historical Publishing Co., 1904.


     HON.  F. X. MATTHEW, one of the well known and leading pioneers of the northwest, is to be represented in this volume as he has had more or less to do in the development of the region covered herein and has wrought with a faithful hand in arduous labors as a pathfinder for over half a century.  He was born in Montreal, Canada, on April 2, 1818.  His parents were natives of France and came as pioneers to the new world.  He was educated and reared until eighteen in his native land and then he came to the United States and worked his way from state to state until he arrived in St. Louis.  There in 1838 he entered the employ of the American Fur Company and at once turned his face to the unknown northwest.  He was in all sorts of dangers incident to a life on the frontier amid savages and wild beasts and hundreds of miles from human habitations or civilization.  He labored for this company for some time and in the course of his employment, he crossed the plains three times and had the satisfaction of knowing that he was instrumental in saving the lives of over two hundred emigrants owing to his ability to make peace with the savages.  He labored at carpentering after leaving the company until 1849, when he went to California and there remained a few months.  Thence he came to Oregon and settled in the Willamette valley.  He was chosen one of the first justices of the peace there and held various other offices.  He was county commissioner and for two terms served in the territorial legislature of Oregon, and in all his public labor he showed a marked faithfulness and ability.  He was beloved by all and was a man of honor.  In 1844 occurred the marriage of F. X. Matthew and Rosa Ossiant, and to them were born eight boys and seven girls.  Rosa Ossiant was born in Canada, on June 15, 1827, and came with her aunt to Victoria when three years old.  Three years later, they went to Vancouver, Washington, and then to the Willamette valley where she remained on her father's donation claim until her marriage with Mr. Matthew.  For fifty-seven years of married life, Mr. and Mrs. Matthew dwelt happily on their donation claim, reared their family, and were leading and respected people of the valley.  They were always noted for kind deeds and charitable works.  It was their delight to feed the poor and help the orphans and many have been blessed by these kindnesses and hearts full of gratitude to their benefactors were found on every hand.
 

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