Gunder Matheson, 1837-1926

MATHESON, LARSEN, AMUNDSEN, WIGHDAL, SULLY

Posted By: IAGenWeb Volunteer
Date: 6/30/2013 at 19:12:35

The Spirit Lake Beacon
May 17, 1926
p.1

HONORED MILFORD CITIZEN PASSED ON
GUNDER MATHESON, A DICKINSON RESIDENT SINCE 1859
DIED ON MONDAY

Gunder Matheson, an honored pioneer and one of the substantial citizens of Dickinson county since 1859, died at his Milford home at 5:50 Monday morning after only a short illness. He had not been in his usual good health of late but his condition had not been alarming. He was able to be up and around on Saturday.

Short funeral services were held on Thursday afternoon from the home, followed by services at the Little Sioux Church conducted by Rev. Wighdal.

Gunder Matheson was born at Fosson, Norway, on August 27, 1837, and passed away at his Milford home, May 10, 1926, aged 88 years, 8 months and 13 days. In 1857 he decided to try his fortune on this side of the Atlantic and came to America. After spending two months in Chicago he went to Michigan where he worked in the pineries for a year coming to Winishiek county during the winter of 1858 and to Dickinson county in 1859.

Mr. Matheson affiliated himself with the army during the Civil war at Spirit Lake and was mustered in at Sioux City in 1861. He first joined Co. A, 7th Iowa Cavalry. Later his command was changed to Co. I. In 1863 his regiment was sent into the Dakotas under Gen. Sully to protect the scattering white settlers from the Indians. At the end of his first term he re-enlisted, serving three years and forty days.

On the 7th day of July, 1866 Mr. Matheson was married to Miss Anna Larsen, who passed away February 26, 1925. To this union were born three children, Mrs. Anna Tortenson, Mrs. Tillie Amundsen and Daniel Matheson all of Milford.

Soon after his arrival in Dickinson county Mr. Matheson homesteaded in Okoboji township and continued to reside in that township until about 26 years ago when he retired and moved to Milford. Mr. Matheson has always been very much interested in the progress and up uplift of his community. He has always been a very active member of the Norwegian Lutheran church both in Milford and the Little Sioux church. He was always a leader in whatever [illegible] he worked. He served the township both as school director and trustee for a good many years. He was a man of high ideals and long vision, whose departure will be greatly missed in Milford and the southern part of the county.