David Matteson
(1839-1919)
From: Portrait and Biographical Record of Dickinson, Saline, McPherson and Marion Counties, Kansas
Chapman Brothers, Chicago, 1893
HON. DAVID MATTESON, the efficient Mayor of Abilene and a dealer in real estate and loans, was born in West Greenwich, R. I., on the 17th of September, 1839. His parents, Philip and Ann (Andrews) Matteson, were both natives of the same State, and when our subject was a year old they removed to Luzerne County, Pa., where his mother died in 1841. He remained there until sixteen years of age, and then became a resident of Delavan, Wis., where the death of his father occurred in 1866. He worked upon a farm and in a sawmill until 1861, when he enlisted at the first regular call for three-year troops, becoming a member of Company A, Tenth Wisconsin Infantry. He was in the service for three years, two months and nineteen days, and was in the Kentucky, Tennessee and Atlanta campaigns. He participated in the battles of Perryville and Stone River and was in the Mitchell campaign before Corinth, where with about two hundred men he aided in burning the bridge at Bridgeport, where about two thousand Confederate soldiers were stationed. After the battle of Stone River, he served as wagon-master until the expiration of his term of service.
After being mustered out at Milwaukee,Wis., Mr. Matteson returned to Delavan, Wis., and resided upon a farm in that locality until 1870. In that year he started Westward by wagon and made a location six miles east of Lamar, in Barton County, Mo., but after improving one hundred acres of land, sickness caused him to leave that farm, and in 1873 he came to Kansas, making a settlement fourteen miles northwest of Abilene, in Flora Township, where he secured a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres. He at once turned his attention to its development and placed the farm under a high state of cultivation, devoting his energies toits improvement until 1884, when he removed to Abilene, where he has since made his home. His land comprised about seven hundred and twenty acres divided into farms. During eleven years he cleared about $15,000, making it largely on a rise in the price of land.
On the 17th of September, 1860, Mr. Matteson married Miss Maryett Brown, of Delavan, Wis., and by their union have been born five children, as follows: Charlie, who resides near Abilene; Hattie, wife of Joseph Laney, a merchant of Talmage; William M., attending school at the State University, at Lawrence, Kan., preparatory to becoming a civil engineer; Henry E., and Nettie. The family is widely and favorably known in this community,
Since coming to Abilene, Mr. Matteson has engaged in the real-estate and loan business. He owns some valuable property, including a thirtyfive acre orchard, on which was raised twenty-five hundred bushels of apples in 1891. He also owns eighty acres of farming land and a one hundred and twenty acre farm a mile and a-half east of Abilene. He has some residence property in the city, including his pleasant residence on Cedar Street. He has a one hundred and sixty acre farm in Clay County, near Manchester, eighty acres near Enterprise, and forty acres near Carlton. These farms give him a good income, and he is classed among the substantial residents of the city.
In 1890, Mr. Matteson was elected Mayor of Abilene, to fill the unexpired term of C. H. Leopold. His opponent was A. W. Rice, a strong candidate, but he won the election by a majority of one hundred and forty. In 1891, with J. H. Brady as opposing candidate, he again made the race for Mayor and was elected by a larger majority than he had previously received. Since he has been in office considerable trouble has arisen between the city and the Water Works Company, and in his management of this affair, although strongly opposed by some, Mr. Matteson has had the support of the City Council and the greater part of the residents of Abilene. He is a popular man and by taking a decided stand for the people and against monopoly, even when opposed by most of the legal talent of the city, he saved to Abilene thousands of dollars and made the city master of the situation. Mr. Matteson well deserves the respect and esteem of his fellow-townsmen. He has been true to their interests and his gentlemanly conduct and honorable life have won him high regard.
Abilene Daily Reflector, Monday, Sept. 8, 1919 Vol. XXXIII, No. 110
DAVID MATTESON AT REST
Prominent Abilene Resident Served As Mayor Three Terms.
Funeral services for David Matteson, aged 81, who died Saturday afternoon, were held this morning at
10:00 o’clock from the Methodist church, Rev. C. L. Hovgard presiding: Rev. Allman preached the
sermon by request of the deceased and Rev. F. S. Blayney offered the prayer. The male quartette sang
and the G. A. R. attended in a body. Interment was made in Abilene cemetery.
Four surviving children were here for the funeral. They are Mrs. Jas. Lancy, W. A. Matteson and H. E.
Matteson of this city and Mrs. Nettie Farley of Denver.
Mr. Matteson was one of the early settlers here, coming in 1873 and took a homestead in northwest
Dickinson. He later moved to Abilene and was interested in financial matters and for three terms was
mayor of Abilene. He was also a veteran of the Civil War.
Abilene Daily Reflector, Wednesday, Sept. 10, 1919, Pg. 5 Vol. XXXIII, No. 112
Obituary-David Matteson
David Matteson was born in West Greenwich, R. I., Sept. 17, 1838, and here his mother died when he
was only nineteen months old. Mr.Matteson spent his childhood and youth in the east. He was married
to Maryette Brown, Sept. 17, 1860, at Geneva, Wis., and to this union was born five children. One of
these namely, Chas. David Matteson died in 1902, while four were here at the funeral services and
were present at their father’s death. These are; Mrs. Hattie A. Laney, W. A. Laney, W. A. Matteson, H. E.
Matteson, all of Abilene, while Mrs. Nettie Farley is of Denver, Ohio.
Mr. Matteson served his country during the Civil War, and for three years, one month and nineteen days
he was a member of the Wisconsin Vol. Inf.
In 1873, Mr. Matteson came to Dickinson county, and here he has been at home ever since. Here his
wife was laid to rest in 1897, and in the sorrows and the joys of frontier life he took his part. He served
as mayor of Abilene for three terms and took an active part in the social and political life of the
community. He was a man of considerable ability, and always held in high esteem by his fellows.
Mr. Matteson united with the Methodist church, February 8, 1914, and has been a faithful member ever
since. It was late in life for a man to take such a step, and it is very rare for people to do so, but Mr.
Matteson did it after a deliberate consideration being convinced it was the right thing to do. For several
years Mr. Matteson has been confined to his room with paralysis, and now at the age of 80 years,
eleven months and 20 days he has crossed the river. There remain to mourn his departure the above
named children with their families, and a host, of friends.
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