Warren Lebius Matthews was born December 17, 1877 near Marcellus, Mich. He came to Clearwater (Sedgwick County) Kan., with his family and grew up on a farm. He graduated from Clearwater High School and then enlisted in the Spanish-American War in 1898. He married in 1899 and had a son who died. Matthews was a member of the Christian Church, Masonic and I.O.O.F. Lodges. He moved to Wichita (Sedgwick County) Kan., in 1923 and was in the mercantile business, oil leasing, life insurance, and real estate. He had a heart condition. Eventually he took up the study of history and genealogy. He traced his ancestors back to the Revolutionary War. Matthews traveled extensively searching libraries wherever he went. He was interested in Indian Lore and searched old Indian campgrounds. He also looked for information on Chief Cochise. He worked to secure artifacts and this led to a museum. Matthews traveled the entire route of the Chisholm Trail from Okla., to Wichita. He drew a map of the Trail and promoted markers to preserve it. The end of the Trail is marked in Wichita at Douglas Avenue as it crosses the Arkansas River. Matthews died in Wichita in 1956.
From the description of Warren L. Matthews papers [microform], 1936-1974. (Kansas State Historical Society). WorldCat record id: 51339305
