Matthew W. Haithcock, son of Charles Hathcock, Sr., was born in Bibb or Tuscaloosa County, Alabama about 1832. He moved back to Tennessee with his parents as a child and was living with them in Lincoln County in 1850. He married Martha Ann Dupree, the daughter of Haley Dupree who is believed to have been from Greensville County, Virginia. The marriage took place on 10 October 1858 in Limestone County, Alabama (Old Marriage Book, page 828 ). A
notation on the marriage record indicates that Matthew and Martha Ann were married "At the dwelling house of Charles Hathcock." Apparently Charles Hathcock, Sr.and his family had moved from Lincoln County, Tennessee to Limestone County, Alabama during the mid-1850's. Matthew and his family appear on the 1860 Census of Lincoln County.

Matthew Hathcock enlisted in Company C, 41st Regiment of the Tennessee Infantry on 10 November 1862. A year later he was reported missing on 23 November 1863. Though the record indicates desertion from a Camp near Chattanooga, Tennessee, this notation was often made in cases of capture where such capture was unknown to CSA officers. He was more fortunate than his brothers, B. Franklin and Samuel, in that he survived the war and returned to Lincoln County, Tennessee. His household is enumerated in the 1870 census o£ that county.2243