John G. Matthews came to Texas with his parents in 1840, joined a Ranger company, and fought in the Mexican War from 1846 to 1848. He married Nancy Leanorah Carothers, and in 1872 built a hand-hewn native limestone house that his family occupied until about 1885. His son, Joseph Neely Matthews, a teacher and justice of the peace, later enlarged the Pioneer-style dwelling, which in 1976 was owned by his daughter, Myreta Matthews.