Barnet Matthews was one of the early settlers of Johnstown, New York. He was a prosperous, capable business man and an upright citizen. He was born October 7, 1773, died September 23, 1815. He married Elgy Lake, born December 1, 1775, died April 10, 1865. They reared a family among which was a son John.
(II) John, son of Barnet and Elgy (Lake) Matthews, was born December 17, 1799, died July 20, 1890. He married Evelyn Gardinier, born March 31, 1803, died December 14, 1885. She was a daughter of Jacob N. Gardinier, born November 9, 1784, died December 23, 1826. Children of John and Evelyn Matthews:
- Ann Eliza, born 1824, died in 1888. She married Madison Munroe Caleb, born in 1816, died in 1899. Children:
- Eva, married Walter Stanton, and has a daughter Martha;
- Harriette M., unmarried, a resident of Johnstown, New York.
Madison M. Caleb was born in Seneca county, New York; he early engaged in the transportation business between Buffalo by canal and river to New York City. In the early canal days that means of transportation was not only used for freighting purposes, but it was a fashionable method of travel and the packets employed in the passenger business were well patronized. Mr. Caleb continued in the transportation business all his active life, and retired with a fortune. He maintained offices in both New York and Buffalo. He was a large land owner of Fulton county, and closely identified with the politics of the county. He was a member of the Episcopal church.
- John Watts, born September 29, 1826, died June 30, 1860.
- Captain Daniel B., born October 10, 1828, died at Washington, District of Columbia, July 21, 1867; he was an officer of the civil war.
- Maria Ellen, married Nicholas Hoffman Decker, a, railroad contractor; he built the first street railroad in Johnstown in 1874; he was an active man in business affairs and politics, and was a candidate for congress from Fulton county.