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It's possible for a
man's destiny to lie in a very simple act. Often the greatest decisions in ones life are formed, not by
astounding events, but by a yes or no, a change in the weather, or as in the case of James Lewis Matthews, by the toss of
a coin.
A native of Bristol, England, Mr. Matthews came with his family to Manitoba in the year 1883. His father
engaged in ranching and knew a measure of success until for three consecutive years the severe Canadian winters lasted into
the spring, destroying his crops.
After the third year, young Matthews knew that he must look elsewhere for his fortune
and that is when he let a coin decide his fate--tails he would go to Tasmania, heads he would to Southern California.
Mr. Matthews doesn't know exactly why he should have considered Tasmania--perhaps the name had a fascinating sound or
perhaps he had heard of it as a place of adventure. At any rate, he was never to visit that country because it was decreed
that Southern California was to be his destination.
A short time after arriving in the southland he was standing
on a Pasadena street corner wondering just where to look for employment, when he overheard one man say to another that he
wished he could find a printer. Not overlooking the opportunity, Mr. Matthews stepped up to him and assured him that he was
just the person to fill the job.
Upon learning that this young man really did know something about printing and that
he had worked in a print shop as a boy, the stranger hired him at once--thus Covina and Mr. Matthews' first association with
the Argus. His new employer was Eugene Clarke, at that time editor.
That was in the year 1894 and when he had been driven
for a few miles in a buckboard by the mail carrier from Azusa he was surprised when the driver stopped and looked at him expectantly.
Mr. Matthews, you see, was still waiting to reach Covina, not realizing that this little village with its few scattered buildings
was his destination.
Three months later he bought the business. At that time the tiny Argus shop and office were
located on the present site of the telephone building.
One of Mr. Matthews' first public works was to assist in securing
the Southern Pacific right-of-way from Bassett to Covina. This project became a reality in 1896 when the first Southern Pacific
engine came triumphantly down the tracks, giving Covina its first modern means of transportation.
He was also influential
in the advent of the Pacific Electric in 1903. In 1904 he was appointed postmaster and served in that capacity for 12 years.
The post office was then located in the Reed block on Citrus Avenue. It wasnt until Mr. Matthews built the Argus building
on Badillo Street that the post office was moved. It was located in the Argus block until 1940 when it was moved to its own
building at Second and College street.
Mr. Matthews was president of the Chamber of Commerce at a time when the
yearly budget reached the amazing figure of $5,000. Heading a group of agressive men who were determined that the beauty
and opportunities of this district should become generally known, Mr. Matthews and other chamber members would meet prospective
buyers and residents and take them on automobile tours of the valley.
Their own enthusiasm for the community was contagious
and today many a satisfied resident of the district is grateful to them.
Mr. Matthews has become known as the Father
of Flood Control having served as campaign director of the Los Angeles county flood control district bond elections. The
first bond election was for $3,500,000 in 1916 and the second in 1924 for $35,000,000. Through this second bond issue the
13 dams in the county flood control area were built. Under Gov. Stevens, Mr. Matthews was for two years California State
Water Commissioner.
Always interested in Republican politics. Mr. Matthews has served as both national and state
director of publicity or as managing director.
When the California Department of Unemployment Insurance was organized
in 1936, Mr. Matthews was appointed as chairman of the Unemployment Reserves Commission, one of the five commissioners who
controlled the Department of Employment.
Known as the Chief to his Sacramento associates, Matthews served on the
commission until January 1, 1943. The Department of Unemployment is now called the California Department of Employment with
an office in Covina.
Mr. Matthews is responsible for many of the real estate subdivisions in Covina. With three or four
associates he subdivided the extensive Walker tract as well as the Griswold, Dr. Jennings, Wells and Jennison tracts. For
the most part these tracts cover almost the entire town, including the Adams Park tract which is his most recent subdivision.
Now one of the most charming residential sections in the city, Mr. Matthews and his associates are very proud of
this project as they are responsible for its planning, restrictions and sidewalks.
At the present time, Mr. Matthews
is taking an active part in his newspaper, serving as its editor and publisher. Mrs. Matthews is the former Delia Bashor,
daughter of Martin Bashor, also an early pioneer. They were married in the Covina Methodist church. Their children and grandchildren
have been christened in this same church.
Mr. and Mrs. Matthews have two daughters, both wives of former Covina boys,
Mrs. Horace White, Lucile Matthews) who with her husband and small son makes her home in Honolulu. Mr. White is vice-president
of the Hawaiian Trust Company.
Genevieve Matthews is the wife of William Prior Letchworth and resides in Berkeley.
Mr. Letchwoord is a partner in the pioneer firm of Barth and Company, specializing in bonds and investments. Their eldest
son, W. P. Letchworth, Jr., is serving with the U. S. Marine Corps.
Mr. Matthews died Thursday a.m. on May 17, 1945.
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