Joseph W. Matthews

Joseph Warren Matthews (* 1812 in Huntsville, Alabama; † August 27, 1862 in Palmetto, Georgia ) was an American politician and 1848-1850 Governor of the State of Mississippi.

Early years and political rise

Joseph Matthews attended the public schools of his home. After moving to Mississippi, he worked as a surveyor. It focused primarily on former Indian land. He planted himself in a large plantation. Matthews was a member of the Democratic Party. Between 1840 and 1844 he was a member of the House of Representatives of Mississippi, from 1844 to 1848 he was a member of the State Senate. On November 1, 1847, he was elected as a candidate of his party for governor of his state.

Governor of Mississippi

Joseph Matthews stepped up his new post on January 10, 1848. In his two-year tenure of the state was developed by telegraph. The construction of the railroad between Jackson and Brandon were terminated and the laws of the State have been revised. In 1848 the University of Mississippi, founded by his predecessor, Albert G. Brown was opened. In addition, there was 1849 a cholera epidemic.

Otherwise Matthews ' tenure was relatively uneventful. The consequences of the economic crisis of 1837 had been overcome and the cotton export went very well; the economy flourished. However, it was also in Mississippi more and more concerned with the question of slavery. On this dubious institution based the whole economic success. Therefore, it was strongly defended, as in other southern states against the demands of the North after its abolition.

Further CV

After the end of his governorship to Matthews initially withdrew from politics. In 1860 he was then a delegate to the Democratic National Convention. In 1862, he joined the Army of the Confederate States. He died on their way to the troops in Palmetto, Georgia. With his wife, Martha Ann Jones Davis Joseph Matthews had five children.