The Book of St. Louisans - 1912
MATTHEWS, Leonard, broker and banker; born, Baltimore, Md., Dec. 17, 1828; son of John, Jr., and Mary Righter (Levering) Matthews; educated in Baltimore, 1834-36, later in various private schools and in 1851-54 took chemical and technical studies at Pope’s Medical College, St. Louis; married, Oct. 2, 1861, Mary Spotswood, daughter of William Nisbet, banker and broker; children: Mary (Mrs. Robert L. Morton), Belle (Mrs. Saunders Norvell), Nina (Mrs. Percy Werner), William, Edmund Orville, Leonard, Jr., Lucy (Mrs. William Lionel Chambers), Claude Levering. First visited Missouri for a year, in 1838; after leaving school went to California, whence came to St. Louis in 1851, and began business career as retail druggist, with brother, William; admitted Aaron Levering, 1854, as Matthews, Levering &Co., wholesale druggists, and in 1857, firm became J. Matthews & Sons; sold out to Meyer Bros. & Co., 1865; traveled extensively through Europe, Asia, Africa and the islands, 1865-66. In 1870, with Gen. A. G. Edwards, opened brokerage and banking business of Edwards & Matthews; about 1873 took in Edwards Whittaker, as Matthews & Whittaker, and later Charles Hodgman also became partner; retired from firm 1883. When U. S. 5 per cent loan was placed on market, was western agent for same. Held various directorate positions. Trustee Missouri Botanical Garden since 1895. In 1886 was guest of brother, who was in command of U. S. S. Brooklyn, hunting filibusters in Caribbean Sea, who was sent by ex-President Soto, against Honduras; was at Panama, and was among first to show failing condition of the Canal Co., in contribution to The Republic, Mar. 23, 1886. Clubs: St. Louis, Noonday. Recreations: floriculture and literature. Office: 300 N. 4th St. Residence: 5447 Cabanne Ave.


MATTHEWS, Leonard, Jr., secretary Norvell-Shapleigh Hardware Co.; born, Oakland, Mo., July 16, 1873; son of Leonard and Mary Spotswood (Nisbet) Matthews; educated in St. Louis public schools to 1886; St. Louis Manual Training School, until 1888; Smith’s Academy, 1890; married, St. Louis, Feb. 20, 1906, Elvira Houston. Began business career with the Wagner Electric Co., 1890, and continued until 1893; with local insurance company, 1894; special traveling cutlery salesman with the Simmons Hardware Co., 1894-1900; resigned and with brother, W. N. Matthews, engaged in electrical specialty business; buyer and manager of cutlery department Norvell-Shapleigh Hardware Co., 1901-10; became assistant secretary same, in 1910, secretary since 1911. Republican. Presbyterian. Clubs: Missouri Athletic, Noonday. Recreation: outdoor sports. Office: Norvell-Shapleigh Hardware Co. Residence: 4538 Maryland Ave.


MATTHEWS, William Nisbet, manufacture; born in St. Louis Co., July 9, 1869; son of Leonard and Mary (Nisbet) Matthews; educated in public schools of Kirkwood, Mo., and Smith Academy, St. Louis; married, Nov. 18, 1911, Mrs. Minnie L. McDowell, of Minneapolis, Minn. Began business life in wholesale drug house, 1884-86; made trip around world, 1886-87, as guest of uncle, Admiral E. O. Matthews, on old frigate “Brooklyn”; in 1891 bought interest in St. Louis Electrical Supply Co., of which was vice president and later president, until 1899, when sold out to enter present business of W. N. Matthews & Matthews-Davis Tool Co. Member League of Electrical Interests. Presbyterian. Clubs: Noonday, St. Louis, Aero, City. Office: 3722 Forest Park Boul. Residence: 5005 Cabanne Avenue.