He and his twin brother Carl were born on October 20, 1852, to Heinrich and Emilie (Kuntz) Matthey in Prussia.

After two years he sold the paper and returned to Germany, where he studied medicine in Leipzig and Würzburg, graduating in 1887.

His brother Carl, who had stayed in Germany to study medicine, moved to Davenport and set up his medical practice.

The Matthey house is located a block away from Hilda's parents and even closer to her three brothers.

[4] The Georgian Revival features include the rectangular form, a high hipped roof, a Palladian window in the dormer, a symmetrical front with the entrance on the right and a columned porch.