Mathson, Edward

MATHSON, TORGERSON

Posted By: Roseanna Zehner
Date: 7/23/2006 at 19:37:03

MATHSON, EDWARD

Edward Mathson, now a prosperous and successful farmer of Doon township, Lyon county, where he is highly respected alike for his manly qualities, industrious habits and loyal American spirit, was born in Norway, in 1848, his birthplace being on a farm in the province of Solar. His father was a farmer, who lived and died in Norway.

Edward Mathson was reared a farmer, and when he reached the proper age was called to the army for such military service as the nation required of its young men. He did his work "with the colors," and after its conclusion followed farming for a time in his native land, and then in September, 1879, set out for the land of promise across the western seas. He did not stop on the Atlantic coast, but made his way to Avoca, Minnesota, where he was employed until the spring of 1882 as a railroad section hand. That spring he came to Lyon county, where he secured the position of "section boss" on a portion of the Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha, his work being confined to the line running nine miles north from the village of Doon. For seventeen years he remained in the employ of this company, being largely engaged in the work of building and constructing railroad track, as well as in keeping it in order, a work he thoroughly understands.

Mr. Mathson was married in 1893 to Miss Carrie Torgerson, also a Norwegian compatriot. She has proved a very helpful companion, and not a little of the success which her industrious and prudent husband has won may be attributed to her wise and sympathetic encouragement.

Mr. Mathson purchased the farm where he is now established in 1886. It is the southwest quarter of section 24, Doon township, and was partly improved, but he has greatly added to it in every way, and so built it up that it is now recognized as one of the best places to be found in this part of the county. In 1902 he took charge of its cultivation himself, and has since devoted himself to its care, giving up all outside work. It comprises one hundred and twenty acres, with about ninety acres under cultivation, and is cut in two by the Rock river.

Mr. Mathson is one of the very early settlers of this county, and remembers Doon in its early days when it had only hotel, a depot and two residence. The country was then all wild prairie, and presented sights and scenes of wild life not now to be found within hundreds of miles. He has a good farm and comfortable and commodious buildings, and here he is engaged in raising stock and grain farming on a very profitable scale. He is, withal, well thought of in his own community, and has served two years as supervisor of the highways.

Source: Compendium of History Reminiscence and Biography of Lyon County, Iowa. Published under the Auspices of the Pioneer Association of Lyon County. Geo. Monlun, Pres.; Hon. E. C. Roach Sec’y; and Col. F. M. Thompson, Historian. Geo. A. Ogle & CO., Published, Engravers and Book Manufacturers. Chicago, 1904-1905

Transcribed by Roseanna Zehner, Darlene Jacoby and Diane Johnson