admin JAMES N. MATTHEWS is a historic name in Buffalo journalism. Mr. Matthews was the founder of the modern, Buffalo Express. The word “founder” is used advisedly. It is true that the Express had been in existence before Mr. Matthews became its head, but he did more than remodel the paper – he re-created it. He changed both policy and methods, tore down the old structure, built up anew from the foundations, and developed the great work of his life along original and progressive lines.
James Newton Matthews was born at Bungay, in the county of Suffolk, England, November 21, 1828. At an early age he was apprenticed to the printing and book-binding business. Mr. Matthews came to this country and to Buffalo in 1846. Entering the employ of Jewett, Thomas & Co., publishers of the Buffalo Commercial Advertiser, he was made foreman of the office. In 184849 he was foreman of the Buffalo Republican. He then established a printing office, and in 1850 was made foreman of the job printing office connected with the Buffalo Express. At the end of a year he was admitted to partnership, and under his progressive management Clapp, Matthews & Co. became known as the foremost railroad printing firm in the country. In 1860 Mr. Wheeler withdrew from the Express, and induced Mr. Matthews to leave the paper also, and in partnership with Mr. Wheeler and Mr. James D. Warren, to form the firm of Wheeler, Matthews & Warren, publishers of the Commercial Advertiser. In a short time Mr. Wheeler retired and the business was conducted under the style of Matthews & Warren, Mr. Matthews taking charge of the editorial management of the paper. Mr. Matthews made the Commercial a power in the community, and from the business standpoint the venture was also a brilliant success.
In 1872 Messrs. Matthews & Warren bought a controlling interest in the Express. After a few months they sold the paper, but conducted both it and the Advertiser during the Presidential campaign of 1872 and the first year of Grant’s second term. Mr. Matthews was identified with the Commercial Advertiser for fourteen years, retiring from that paper in 1877. At this time the Buffalo Express was at the ebb-tide of its fortunes, and it was clear that only by a master hand was retrieval possible. Mr. Matthews was persuaded to undertake the task. He acquired the ownership of the Express, and its first issue, under the new management, appeared on the 7th of January, 1878. The circulation and influence of the Express increased from the day it came into Mr. Matthews’ hands, and his ability soon won for it a place in the front rank of the best daily newspapers of the State. A Sunday edition of the paper was first issued September 30, 1883, and this branch of the enterprise has become a brilliant example of illustrated journalism. To the newspaper plant of the Express Mr. Matthews added an up-to-date job office, including the finest modern appliances for designing, engraving, electrotyping and stereotyping. The remainder of Mr. Matthews’ career was principally devoted to the upbuilding of the enterprise which he had initiated.
Both in his editorial capacity and otherwise, Mr. Matthews was active in the affairs of the Republican party, and he served as a delegate to the Republican National Conventions of 1872 and 1876.
Mr. Matthews was a member of the Buffalo Historical Society, the Fine Arts Academy, the Society of Natural Sciences, the Young Men’s Association, the Buffalo Club and other organizations. In religious faith he was an Episcopalian, and was a member of St. John’s Church.
July 24, 1851, Mr. Matthews married Harriet Wells, of Westfield, N. Y. The children of the union were: George E. Matthews and Frances Amy Matthews, now Mrs. E. G. Boone, of Alassio, Italy.
The death of James N. Matthews occurred December 20, 1888. Admired and loved as a man, valued as a citizen, his decease was an irreparable loss to the newspaper world and a severe blow to the community.
SOURCE: Memorial and Family History of Erie County New York; Volume I