Henry M. Mathews completed his primary education at Lewisburg Academy and earned degrees from the University of Virginia and Lexington Law School. He served in the Confederate States Army, rising to the rank of major of artillery, and later engaged in local Democratic politics. Mathews was elected attorney general of West Virginia in 1873 and governor in 1876, becoming the first Confederate veteran to hold the latter office. During his governorship, he managed significant economic and labor challenges, including the Great Railroad Strike of 1877, and appointed members from both major parties to his cabinet to foster unity. After retiring from politics, he returned to law practice and held leadership roles in business.

Henry M. Mathews's political identity is marked by a blend of post-war pragmatism and a deeply rooted commitment to segregationist policies. His tenure as governor saw an unusual bipartisan approach in his cabinet appointments, yet he actively participated in conventions that codified racial segregation. Mathews's economic policies aligned with pro-business interests, but his handling of labor strikes reveals a calculated approach to maintaining industrial stability. His legacy is complex, balancing progressive state governance with regressive racial policies.