Education
Born in De Soto, Missouri, Matthes attended Benton College of Law, and read law in 1928 to enter the Bar.
Born in De Soto, Missouri, Matthes attended Benton College of Law, and read law in 1928 to enter the Bar.
He was in private practice in DeSoto and Hillsboro, Missouri from 1928 to 1955. He was a deputy state finance commissioner in 1929, and was a city attorney for DeSoto from 1938 to 1940. In 1942, he was elected to the Missouri State Senate, where he served until 1950.
Matthes also lectured at Washington University School of Law.
Matthes was confirmed by the United States Senate on March 4, 1958, and received his commission on March 12, 1958. He served as chief judge from 1970 to 1973, assuming senior status on July 14, 1973, and serving in that capacity until his death.
He was a member of the Missouri State Highway Commission from 1954 to 1955.
