Claude Matthews

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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 23rd  governor of the state of Indiana.

Early years and political advancement

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

Indiana Governor

Matthews took up his new office on January 9, 1893. During his tenure, he took a firm stand against horse racing and prize boxing. At that time there were efforts to organize such activities. These met with determined opposition from the governor. On the occasion of a violent strike in the coal mining industry, the governor deployed the National Guard to maintain order and suppress the strike.

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

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personal data
SURNAME Matthews, Claude
BRIEF DESCRIPTION American politician
DATE OF BIRTH December 14, 1845
PLACE OF BIRTH Bethel , Kentucky
DATE OF DEATH April 28, 1898
Place of death Vermillion County , Indiana