Last Updated on February 13, 2012 by
Matthews, John, stage name JOHNNY RAY; actor; born, Tredegar, Wales, Oct. 12, 1858; son of Benjamin and Annie Matthews; educated, Cleveland public schools; married, San Francisco, Cal., April 12, 1890, Miss Carter; first stage appearance at the age of 13, at Montpelier’s Variety’s, in Frankfort St., in 1871; retired May 1, 1912, after forty-three years of stage life; most successful comedies were “A Hot Old Time,” “Down the Pike,” and “King Casey”; invested earnings in real estate; owns much valuable residence property on East 98th St., and in Superior Park, and a farm in Randall; hobby, trotting horses; member Gentleman’s Driving Club; 32nd degree Mason.