William J. Mathes, deceased, was born in Culpepper County, Va., August 1, 1818, and was the son of Joseph and Sarah (Atwood) Mathes, both natives of Virginia. Joseph Mathes came to Johnson County in 1825, and resided on a farm near Edinburg until his death. He reared a family of nine children. After his death, Mrs. Mathes and William J., our subject, removed to a farm in Nineveh Township, where her death occurred in 1856. Mrs. Mathes was a Baptist. March 22, 1845, William J. Mathes was married to Miss Rachel Mullikin, whose mother was born in Henry County, Ky., February 13, 1823, of Irish descent. To this union five children were born, three of whom are now living: Joseph L., Clara B., wife of Smith B. Fesler, and Sarah E. Our subject was a merchant at Williamsburg, several years, and held the office of postmaster, and township trustee. In September, 1863, he removed to Franklin, where he resided until his death which occurred October 9, 1886. Here he engaged in the mercantile business, in connection with which he run a livery and sale stable. He was elected county commissioner three terms, and held that office at the time of his death. He was a democrat. Joseph L. Mathes was born in Johnson County, May 30, 1851. He received a common school education, and began life for himself at the age of twenty-one years, and for eight years, was engaged in the mercantile business in Franklin. In 1873, he engaged in farming. In 1873, he married Mary J. Coleman, a native of Johnson County, who has borne him these children: William J., Mary E., and Hugh Q. He is a democrat, and a member of the K. of P. order, and with his wife, belongs to the Christian Church.