MATTHEW C. MARSHALL, merchant, Kuttawa, son of John W. and Martha (Gracey) Marshall, was born February 3, 1847, in Eddyville, Ky., the youngest of thirteen children. The father, a leading wealthy merchant of Eddyville, was identified with all public enterprises and a member of the Masonic fraternity. December 8, 1822, married Miss Martha Gracey. This lady is the daughter of George and Mary (Patton) Gracey. She was born September 13, 1806, in Eddyville; is still living, and is the oldest resident of the county. Of her children, there are six living, viz.: Euclid, a telegraph operator in Bowling Green, Ky.; John, a farmer in Lyon County; Henry, of Kuttawa, a telegraph operator; Matthew, a merchant in Kentucky, and our principal subject; Mrs. Anna Poindexter, Mrs. Nellie Espie. Mrs. Marshall, with her husband, before his death, were members of the Methodist Church. Matthew C. Marshall's early life was spent in attending school. At fifteen years of age he went to Camp Boone, Tenn., to enlist in Confederate service; was there rejected, owing to age and size, but being determined, again subsequently went to Bowling Green, and was there a messenger for Gen. Albert S. Johnston; served with him until surrender of Ft. Donelson; when he was given a pass and returned home. Upon returning to Eddyville he accepted a situation as a salesman with James O'Hara, where he remained until 1869, when he accepted a position with the Mississippi Railroad as assistant agent at Vaiden, Miss., holding that position till June, 1870, when he went to Evansville, Ind., taking a position with Morgan, Read & Co., wholesale boots and shoes. Then retiring from business, subject engaged with Simmons, Dixon & Co., wholesale boots and shoes, where he remained until February, 1873, when he returned to Eddyville and bought the stock of dry goods, etc., belonging to the estate of James O'Hara, and continued there till January, 1881, when he moved his stock to Kuttawa, and has since conducted the business, carrying a general stock of dry goods, boots, shoes, etc. July 20, 1876, he married Miss Helen M. Shelby, of Lyon County, daughter of Clark and Helen Shelby, both parents deceased. Subject has one child, Miss Mary P., at home. Subject and wife are members of the Episcopal Church, and he is now the lay reader of the parish. Has been town trustee of Eddyville two years, and while in that position suppressed the sale of liquor. He is a member of A. F. & A. M., and holds the position of reporter in K. of H. He is also one of the vice-presidents of the State Sunday-school Association of Kentucky for this county, and aside from his business, this subject demands most of his attention, and in this, as in all educational and other public enterprises, he takes a leading and prominent part.
Source: J. H. Battle, W. H. Perrin, & G. C. Kniffin. Kentucky. A History of the State. Louisville, KY, Chicago, IL: Battey, 1885. Pages 860-861.