Matthew James Meade (December 7, 1823 – April 21, 1896) was an American farmer, Democratic politician, and Wisconsin pioneer.

He served out the remainder of his term and in the Summer of 1862 began raising a company of volunteers for the Union Army.

During their march, however, they received word of the Holly Springs Raid and were ordered to return to Tennessee for provost duty.

During the 1870s and 1880s, Meade became active in dealing real estate in the neighboring Outagamie County, and in 1885 he built an elaborate new mansion in Kaukauna, Wisconsin, where he resided for the rest of his life.

[1] After Matthew's mother died, all the remaining Meade family ultimately moved to Brown County, Wisconsin.

Matthew's eldest brother, John F. Meade, served one term in the Wisconsin State Assembly, and died under suspicious circumstances in 1850.

[4] Both of Meade's sisters married prominent and wealthy fur traders in northern Wisconsin.

Matthew Meade married Harriet Pelton at Green Bay, Wisconsin, on December 21, 1858.

[12] Matthew Meade's former residence in Kaukauna is also listed in the National Register of Historic Places as the Capt.