MATHEW M. WITHROW is one of the young men who are winning a competence in tilling the soil of their native county and in all other energetic labors. In the prosecution of his business affairs he displays a commendable degree of zeal and assiduity, and the reward which his efforts are meeting with is one that is satisfactory to himself and to all who are interested in the success of honest endeavors.
Mr. Withrow is descended from two honorable families of the section south of the Mason and Dixon line. His father, James H. Withrow, was born in Virginia January 15, 1811, and his mother, Maria (Beauchamp) Withrow, in Kentucky, in 1814. In 1825, James Withrow accompanied his father Joseph Withrow, to this State, the family locating in what is now Woodside township, this county, where land was entered by our subject's grandfather. After having reached man's estate, James Withrow entered land in Macoupin County, whence in 1851 he returned to this county, settling in Williams township. He purchased land and operated a sawmill that was run by horse power. He died September 26, 1883, at the age of seventy-two years. He was a lifelong member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and was highly respected by all who knew him. His good wife passed away April 25, 1884, at the age of seventy years. For a long period she was connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church and was zealous in support of its doctrines and various branches of work.
The family of which our subject formed one consisted of seven children, three of whom are now living. The natal day of M. M. Withrow was August 25, 1852, and his birthplace was the parental estate on section 28, Williams Township, this county. He received a fair common-school education, and so long as his parents lived, remained under their roof assisting his father in the management of the farm. He now owns two hundred and five acres of splendid land, which has been well improved with everything which goes to make up a well-regulated estate. He operates a sawmill and threshing machine, and has for several years dealt in baled hay, buying the hay when it is first cured and shipping it after baling.
March 31, 1878, the solemn marriage rites were celebrated between our subject and Mary C. James, a daughter of George W. and Sophia (Brown) James. The bride was born in Logan County, October 6, 1853, and was carefully reared by Christian parents. Her father was born in Virginia, but reared in Ohio, of which State Mrs. James is a native. They were very early settlers in Logan County, but are still living and are active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. and Mrs. Withrow are the happy parents of three children: Adie R., born December 18, 1878; George H., January 19, 1882; and Ada M., November 3, 1884.
Mr. Withrow has served in various positions of public trust in connection with the local administration of affairs. In politics he is a Democrat. He is a man of more than ordinary intelligence, keeping himself well informed regarding the world's events and the progress of humanity, and capable of conversing agreeably and clearly on various topis of interest. He and his wife are active and influential members of the Methodist Episcopal Church and both are highly esteemed in the community.