Anthony A. Matthews, a native of Dickson County, Tenn., and a resident of Bellsburg, was born December 6, 1848, and is the eldest of five children of Buckner W. and Sarah C. (Weakley) Matthews, natives of Virginia and Tennessee, respectively. Our subject received a common school education, and when twenty-four years of age left home and engaged in selling fruit trees for two years. He then returned home and followed farming two years. He at that time went to Cumberland Furnace, and was overseer of the Furnace farm for one year. He then clerked four years in the Furnace store, and next engaged in the merchandise business with C. J. Phillips two years near Cumberland Furnace. He then sold out to his partner and purchased a stock of goods of J. P. Eleazor, and has succeeded quite well financially. November 10, 1880, he wedded Alice V. Hooper, a resident of Cheatham County. Our subject and his wife are members of the Episcopal Church. Mr. Matthews is a Mason, and has been constable two years and postmaster at Bellsburg one year. He is a Democrat