Nikolay Matvevich was born in 1852 in the city of Ufa. He lost his father very early when he was still a baby. His mother (Elizaveta Vasilievna), two years after her husband's death, married for the second time to an official of the Treasury (Chernobaev). Nikolai Matveyevich grew up in the family lonely, because he had neither brothers nor sisters.
Николай Матвѣевичъ родился въ 1852 году въ г. Уфѣ. Очень рано потерялъ своего отца, будучи еще груднымъ ребенкомъ. Мать, его (Елизавета Васильевна) года черезъ два послѣ смерти мужа вышла во второй разъ за чиновника казенной палаты (Чернобаева). Николай Матвѣевичъ росъ въ семьѣ одиноко, ибо у него не было ни братьевъ ни сестеръ.