Claude Matthews

Claude Matthews ( born December 14, 1845 in Bethel, Bath County, Kentucky, † April 28, 1898 in Vermillion County, Indiana ) was an American politician and from 1893 to 1897 the 23 Governor of the State of Indiana.

Early years and political rise

Claude Matthews was educated in Kentucky until 1867, the Centre College. Two years later he moved into the Vermillion County, Indiana, where he became a successful farmer and rancher. Matthews was a member of the Democratic Party. In 1876 he was elected for a period in the House of Representatives from Indiana. 1882 failed an attempt to collect in the state Senate. Matthews was 1891-1893 State Secretary in Indiana and won the 1892 gubernatorial election against the Republican incumbent Ira Joy Chase.

Governor of Indiana

Matthews took up his new post on January 9, 1893. During his tenure, he strongly opposed horse racing and the price boxes. In that time there have been efforts to organize such activities. This met with the determined opposition of the governor. On the occasion of a violent strike in the coal mining continued the governor a the National Guard to maintain order and suppression of the strike.

After the end of his term on January 11, 1897, Matthews again devoted his agricultural activities. He died only a year later in April 1898 following a stroke. Claude Matthews was married to Martha Rennick Whitcomb, with whom he had three children.