Matthews Gerald W Contractor & Builder LTD

About

When Stanley Matthews began building new custom homes in 1924, he scarcely could have imagined that his family business would span the remainder of the 20th century. His dealings with people were sincere and honest, and his craftsmanship straight and true. He subscribed to the Golden Rule, and to the old adage... "The rule for talkin' is the same as the rule for carpenterin' - measure twice and saw once." More importantly, he instilled these values in his son Gerald, who apprenticed under Stanley, and carried on the business after Stanley's death in 1947. Gerald conducted his personal and professional life in the same manner, and passed those same values on to his son David. David worked summers and weekends with his father during high school. After graduation in 1979, he began his career in building and remodeling and has been "on- the-job" full-time for over 30 years. When Gerald passed on in 1993, David was well-prepared to continue the family business with the honesty, integrity, and craftsmanship carried down from his father and grandfather. The Matthews' workshop has been located at 331 Dayton Avenue in Xenia for over 50 years. David recently added another building and an acre and a half of land to the shop complex. One can hardly turn a corner in Xenia and Greene County without seeing a home or commercial building constructed by Stanley, Gerald, and/or David Matthews. Gerald constructed the first new building in downtown Xenia following the devastating 1974 tornado. David was honored to have been selected to build the replica of the Xenia Station on the Little Miami Bicycle Trail. The original station was built in the 1880's, and served thousands of Xenians - including Stanley and Gerald Matthews - as they departed and arrived on the Pennsylvania Railroad. David and his wife Patsy live in the new development of Dorset Downs in Xenia. David has two children - Natalie and Jerry. Not surprisingly, David's hobbies include carpentry and fine cabinetry. David keeps abreast of new ideas, but always with a glance at his past. Because no matter how much things change, you still must "measure twice and saw once."