Father Mathew

Rev. Theobold Mathew, or Father Mathew, was a reformer from Cork, Ireland, known for his temperance society, founded here in 1875. The Father Mathew Total Abstinence Society, almost exclusively made up of Irish, was to encourage males to abjure alcohol. He encouraged wholesome social activities, including picnics, dances and sporting events. A statue was erected in his honor. In 1916, the statue was moved from Central Street to its present location on Hawthorne Boulevard.