Title
E. I. "Pete" Mathews, 1897-1982
Subject
Fire chiefs
Description
E.L. "Pete" Mathews had a 46 1/2 years with The Tuscaloosa Fire Department and was fire chief from 1931-1966.
Mathews served four years during World War I and was discharged as sergeant. After returning from overseas duty with the 31st Division 117th Field Artillery, Mathews went to work at the Tuscaloosa Fire Department.
Chief Matthews was responsible for great growth in the Tuscaloosa Fire Department taking the department from one station and seven firemen to six stations and 106 firefighters. Training for firefighters also grew because of Chief Matthews' influence; he once cornered Governor George Wallace to get the money for the Alabama State Fire College.
Of his early years in the fire department, Mathews once said, "We used a 1914 Model T body that held a water pumper and was pulled by horses."
Mathews was active in many community civic drives and organizations and was a life member and past president of the Southeastern Association of Fire Chiefs, a life member and past director of the International Association of Fire Chiefs, and a member and past president of the Alabama State Fire Chiefs Association. He received the Civitan First Citizen Award in 1945, the Rotary Rose Award for outstanding service in 1960
"Pete" Matthews was married to Lona House Matthews and had a daughter Betty Matthews Miller. Mathews died in 1982 and is buried in Evergreen Cemetery.
Mathews served four years during World War I and was discharged as sergeant. After returning from overseas duty with the 31st Division 117th Field Artillery, Mathews went to work at the Tuscaloosa Fire Department.
Chief Matthews was responsible for great growth in the Tuscaloosa Fire Department taking the department from one station and seven firemen to six stations and 106 firefighters. Training for firefighters also grew because of Chief Matthews' influence; he once cornered Governor George Wallace to get the money for the Alabama State Fire College.
Of his early years in the fire department, Mathews once said, "We used a 1914 Model T body that held a water pumper and was pulled by horses."
Mathews was active in many community civic drives and organizations and was a life member and past president of the Southeastern Association of Fire Chiefs, a life member and past director of the International Association of Fire Chiefs, and a member and past president of the Alabama State Fire Chiefs Association. He received the Civitan First Citizen Award in 1945, the Rotary Rose Award for outstanding service in 1960
"Pete" Matthews was married to Lona House Matthews and had a daughter Betty Matthews Miller. Mathews died in 1982 and is buried in Evergreen Cemetery.
Creator
Tuscaloosa Public Library
Source
Tuscaloosa News Archive
Contributor
Tuscaloosa Public Library
Type
Newspaper
Identifier
880
Coverage
Tuscaloosa (AL)