Interview with Daniel Johnson Matthews, Jr

Abstract

An interview of Oconee County resident Daniel Johnson Matthews, Jr. conducted in September 2014. He grew up in Des Moines, Iowa, and lived in Athens previously. He moved to Oconee county to work at the Herman C. Michael Gym and at Eagle Tavern in the early 1980s. He worked at the Gainesville State University Bookstore as well. His father went to UGA and published a book on Eagle Tavern in 1954. His mother was influential in popularizing the Iowa Caucus in 1972. His connection to Georgia is mainly on the paternal side of his family, as his father was born in Atlanta and they would visit his grandmother in Georgia. He recalls delivering newspapers when Richard Nixon resigned the Presidency. He ran for several positions within the Oconee County state legislature and ran for Watkinsville City Council in 2014. He has held several occupations, such as article writer and talk show host. He notes changes in Oconee in terms of allowing alcohol in Watkinsville restaurants. He recalls when the Olympic Torch came through in 1996. He would like to see an increase in relations between people from different groups, whether along racial lines or religion.