History of Bainbridge, (Ross County) Ohio United States of America

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Claude Matthews, governor of Indiana, was born in Bethel, Ky., Dec. 14, 1845; son of Thomas and Eliza A. (Fletcher) Matthews, and grandson of Thomas Fletcher, a representative from Kentucky in the 14th congress, 1816-17. He was graduated from Centre college, Ky., 1867, and removed to Indiana. He was married at Bainbridge, Ohio, Jan. 1, 1868, to Martha, daughter of Senator James Whitcomb , and became a practical farmer and stock raiser at Clinton, Ind. He was a member of the Farmers' Mutual Benefit association; a Democratic representative in the state legislature, 1877-78; was defeated for state senator in 1882; was secretary of state, 1890-92, and governor of Indiana, 1892-97. Soon after his inauguration he was obliged to call out the state militia to suppress a threatened riot caused by the coal-miners' strike, and in 1893, when the local authorities were defied by the Roby prize-fighters, he again called on the militia and suppressed the Columbian athletic Club, and when the question of paying the troops for this service came up he pledged his personal credit to the extent of $41,000 in order to secure the money. He was the second statesman named as a candidate for nomination for President of the United States before the Democratic national convention at Chicago, July 7, 1896, and received 37 votes on the first ballot and 36 on the fourth ballot. He died in Indianapolis, Ind., Aug. 28, 1898.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

History of Bainbridge, (Ross County) Ohio

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