Attended Xenia Union Female Seminary School in the 1860's. Wrote a letter to her cousin John R. Jones prior to his death in 1866.15

1870 Census (25) at home, helping keep house14

Mrs. Mathews is a native of Elkhart county, born April 27, 1845, and is a daughter of William and Narcissa (Jones) Cowan. She was a student in the common schools near her father's home, also studied in Oswego, Indiana. and in Goshen high school, after which she en­tered the Union Female Seminary at Xenia, Ohio. from which she was graduated with the class of 1866. She afterward engaged in teaching for three terms in Elkhart county. In addition to her literary course she pursued the study of instrumental music. Her father, who was a native of Ohio, born in 1811, followed the occupation of farming throughout his entire life. and died in 1871. In his political views he was a Jackson Democrat. His wife, who was born in Ohio, in 1823, died in 1884. They were members of the United Presbyterian church and both passed away in Elkhart county.