Thomas H. Matthis is the son of Littleton and Letha J. (Todd) Matthis. The father was born in Virginia on August 14, 1811, and is the son of Thomas Matthis. He removed with his parents to Lawrence County, Ind., when but two years of age. He engaged in farming until 1834, when he went to Fort Leavenworth, and enlisted in the regular army, with which he served for three years. Upon his discharge he was married in Clinton County, Mo., and located in Andrew County, where he engaged in farming for fourteen years. He next located in De Kalb County, where he has since resided. He has been married three times, and is now a widower. He has raised nine out of ten children born to him. He is one of the oldest settlers of De Kalb County, and is respected and esteemed by his neighbors. The mother was born in Kentucky in 1822. She was the daughter of Henry Todd, who removed from Kentucky to Missouri, where he died. The mother died in 1852, having reared six children, of whom Thomas H. was the eldest. He was born in Clinton County, Mo., on December 28, 1838. He was reared on the farm, and acquired a limited education in the public schools. He remained with his parents until his sixteenth year, when he began working for Ithra Todd. He remained with Mr. Todd until his marriage with Samantha Goss on March 8, 1860. He then located in Grant Township. In April, 1880, he removed to his present farm of 147 acres. In 1872 he was elected constable of his township, and has been elected successively each second year. He is now serving his seventh term. He was elected collector of the township in 1880, and has held the office continually since. He has discharged the duties of both offices in a commendable manner and with satisfaction to all. Mrs. Matthis was born in Missouri on January 28, 1842. She is the daughter of Curd Goss (deceased). Mr. and Mrs. Matthis have had seven children, five of whom are living: Mary, Fanny, Willie, Littleton and Lewis. Mrs. Matthis is a member of the Baptist Church. Three of the children-one son and two daughters-are members of the Christian Church.
Source: History of Andrew and DeKalb Counties, Missouri (Chicago: Goodspeed Publishing Company, 1888), pp. 572-573.