Tennessee native John Giles Matthews came to Texas with his parents in 1839 and settled in the new town of Austin. A Ranger for the Republic of Texas, Matthews served in the Mexican War and the Civil War before moving to Williamson County in 1870. There he farmed and was active in church, school, and civic activities. He was the father of 9 children, was first married to Sarah Strong, who died in 1852, and in 1855 married Leanorah Carothers, who died in 1892.