Matthews

(Number 57 on the 1958 Highland map - 10835 N. Alpine Hwy)

Cornelius Baxter & Genevieve Lewis Matthews

Cornelius was a son of Walter John and Margaret Currie Baxter Matthews, born January 25, 1903, in Pleasant Grove, Utah. Genevieve was born February 17, 1911, in Layton, Utah to Horace Edward and Maria Elizabeth Christensen Lewis. They were married May 10, 1930, and sealed in the Salt Lake Temple March 24, 1948. They built a home in Pleasant Grove and lived there until the spring of 1948, when they moved to Highland (Number 57 on the 1958 Highland map). The home was badly in need of repairs but it did have a well-something unusual for that day - and they soon had it livable.

They raised dairy cows and chickens and cucumbers and bought a tractor while Neal continued to work at Geneva Steel. They had five children: Cornelius Hugh, twins Vern and Verl, Arlen, and Geneal. Marion was added that first winter - the worst winter ever experienced in Highland. When his due date was near there were lots of blizzards and Neal was concerned they wouldn't be able to get out of their long driveway, so he had the boys shovel it every night after school and again every morning.

Neal had worked ten years at Geneva and was considering retiring to take over the farm when he started having health problems, then, while putting in headgates for a water turn he collapsed and a few days later, July 20, 1958, suffered a fatal heart attack. He was 55 years old.

Genevieve was encouraged by family to sell the farm and move to Pleasant Grove but she had promised Neal that she would keep the farm because he loved it so well. With the help of her sons and some neighbors she was able to continue on.

One of those neighbors was Reed Thompson, who had recently lost his wife and Genevieve married him October 19, 1962, in the Manti Temple.

Genevieve enjoyed working in the Church and was president of the YWMIA for four years and president of the Primary for eight years. She also taught Sunday School, cooked at the Dell for fifteen years and was a visiting teacher. She also served as historian, secretary and president of the Fire Ladies Auxiliary. She died July 25, 1994, three years after Reed passed on February 14, 1991.

Son Verl Baxter Matthews

Source: HIGHLAND HISTORY: A compilation by Charles T Greenland II for the Highland Historical Society

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Cornelius Baxter & Genevieve Lewis Matthews

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