MATTHEW H. CREWS, son of William and  Matilda (Shaw) CREWS, was born March 8,
1838, on the southeast quarter of the northwest quarter of Section 35, in Jasper Township.  He attended the early schools of the neighborhood in winter, farming in the summer time, until he arrived at man's estate.  Subject married, January 28, 1856, to Miss Sarah E., daughter of David P. and Agnes (Wilson) McLin, and to them were born ten children, six of whom are living --- Matilda C. (Borah), October 2, 1857; David L., December 1860; Geneva, 1868; Matthew H. Jr. 1870; Florence A., 1872 and Esther, 1875.  William, the son of Andrew, was born in Tennessee about 1809, came with his parents to Wayne County, and settled in Bear Prairie in 1817, and removed to Massillon Twp. in 1818.  He served as a Justice of the Peace for many years, and died in December, 1876.   His childrn are Mary E. (Linthieum), Delila J. (McMacken), Sarah B. (Linthicum), Louisa (Warmouth), subject, Caleb W., Miriam F. (Gray), Matilda C. (Mills), Alice,
Alma and William Jr.  Matilda Shaw was born in Kentucky, and died in Wayne County in 1854.  Subject served as Orderly Sergeant in Company D., Eighty-seventh Illinois Infantry, and was in all the engagements of that jutly celebrated regiment, remaining in the army till July 3, 1865, when he was honorably discharged.  Since returning home, subject has been engaged in farming, threshing grain, and the manufacture of hard lumber.  Twice elected Supervisor of the County Court; he has also been Assessor, Collector, School Director, and an active officer in whatever position he has been called to serve.  Subject is the owner of 130 acres of good farming land, of which sixty are in cultivation.  His political affiliations are with the Democratic party, and in religious belief  he is inclined toward the Cumberland Presbyterians.