John Henry Matthews (1808-1870), was born on December 19, 1808, at Standford, Dingley, Berkshire, England, the son of John Matthews (-1827), and Elizabeth Robinson Matthews (1786-1846).

On February 8, 1830, he married Elizabeth Chester (1811-1889) at Bristol, England. They had six children : two daughters and four sons.

On March 2, 1832, he moved to New York City, New York.

In 1832, he designed, patented and issued the soda water fountain.

In 1863, he issued a store card, obverse : right profile of Amphitrite with a dolphin swimming in the field before her, reverse: advertisement of John Matthews. This store card is usually identified and catalogued as a Civil War token as Fuld NY 630 AU-1a.

In 1865, he retired from the business giving it to his heirs.

He died on January 1, 1870 at New York.

In 1882 the heirs issued a commemorative medal celebrating fifty years of the invention of the soda water fountain and its patent.

To read the complete article, see:
MATTHEWS, JOHN HENRY(http://www.numismaticmall.com/numismaticmall-com/matthews-john)