There are many, many prominent and early Americans buried in the Pioneer Section of thehistoric Athens Cemetery. We continue our look at some of those early Athenians. 
Thomas Miller Matthews was born at Cumberland Courthouse, Virginia on March 6, 1830. Hisfather, George H. Matthews, was a prominent attorney and served for fifty consecutive years asDistrict Attorney. Thomas Matthews graduated from the University of Virginia in both itsacademic and medical departments and came to Texas in 1852. He first located in ShelbyCounty, when Judge and later General 0. M. Roberts was practicing law there. In 1855, hemoved to Ft. Worth when it was but a small village. 

He married Miss Emma Grazard in Mt. Enterprise, Shelby County, on April 9, 1857. She wasborn in Silasand, Norway and came to the United States with her parents to Nacogdoches, Texas.In the summer of 1864, Dr. Matthews enlisted in the Confederate Army at Ft. Worth as a privatein Dr. Peak's Post and Dr. Matthews continued in the hospital service for a short time. Later, hewas named Surgeon of Parson's Twelfth Texas Calvary. He was never wounded or taken prisonerin any action. 

Dr. Matthews returned to Texas and resumed his medical practice. In the last 1870's, he wasliving near Ben Wheeler, Texas in Van Zandt County. He was active in the community and inthe local Masonic Lodge, Pine Lodge No. 203. In December of 1881, he was elected GrandMaster of Masons in Texas and served until December 19, 1882. Dr. Matthews later moved toAthens and remained very active in the Masonic Lodge here. He was elected and served asSecretary of Athens Lodge No. 165 for many years. He also remained active in Grand Lodgeproceedings. He served the Grand Lodge as Chairman of the Committee on ForeignCorrespondence for 27 years. 

Dr. Matthews never sought or held any elected office during his lifetime, but served hiscommunity as a member of the medical profession until the time of his death. Dr. and Mrs.Matthews had thirteen children, eleven boys and two girls. Two boys and one girl died beforeadulthood. One of his sons became a lawyer, one a dentist and one a medical doctor. Two wereagents for the Cotton Belt railroad, one a merchant and one a traveling agent for the Dallas News. In April of 1907, Dr. and Mrs. Matthews celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary inAthens, Texas. Dr. Matthews died in March of 1912 and is buried in the Pioneer section of the Cemetery. His grave lies a short distance behind the recently installed Columbarium. In 1969,the Grand Lodge of Texas marked his grave with a monument commemorating his service to the Masons of Texas and their Grand Master. Dr. Matthews is one of two Grand Masters of Masonsburied in Athens Cemetery. The other is Albert B. Watkins. 

Contributed by Randy Daniel 
Athens Cemetery Board Member 

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