Matteson, Sumner W. 1836 – 1895

MATTESON, DICKERMAN, HUGHES

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 5/19/2024 at 21:00:46

Source: Decorah Republican July 25, 1895 P 1 C 4

SUMNER W. MATTESON.
That which his Decorah friends feared—but hoped against—since the first intelligence was received of the sudden and dangerous illness of S. W. Matteson, came to pass in the early morning o' Monday last. Soon after five o’clock a second attack seized him, and at 5:30 a. m. he passed away.
Sumner W. Matteson was born in Jefferson county, N. Y., March 7th, 1836. About the time of attaining his majority he came west and located in Decorah, entering the office of his brother-in-law Col. D. H. Hughes, and studied law. Soon after he was elected Justice of the Peace.
In 1860 he was elected Clerk of the Courts, and was re-elected again in 1862. During his incumbency of that office he was fortunate in making investments in real estate which proved the foundation of the competence which he acquired. After retiring from office he became for a brief time cashier of the First National Bank, but the employment was not congenial, and he soon retired, and thereafter devoted himself to the care of his own accumulations, living an easy, graceful life, devoted to home duties and the loving task of caring for a growing family. In 1864 he married Miss Louise Dickerman, and there have been few happier homes in Decorah than they made together. To it he always exhibited a devotion second to no other interest in life. Six children were born into it. Five still remain under the parental roof. Herbert, the eldest, is cashier in the largest bank in Great Falls, Montana: S. W., Jr., is in business in St. Paul, and Dick was a trusted assistant to his father in the Security Loan and Trust Company, of which Mr. Matteson became Secretary when he removed to St. Paul. Roy and Max are young men just completing their education: and Claire is the youngest, and the only daughter.
While the predominant trait in Mr. Matteson’s character, as he came in contact with men, was a quiet geniality, almost perennial, there was behind it an earnest devotion, even to anxiety, over every interest in which he engaged; and there can be but little doubt, now, but that the labor attached to the very responsible position in which he entered after the meridian of life had passed was almost too onerous for him. On the 9th inst. he was smitten by a stroke, now recognized as appopletic in character, and Mrs. Matteson and her daughter, who were visiting in Decorah, were called home at once. This was followed by an illness from which recovery was slow, but on Sunday he was regarded as in a hopeful condition. A second attack followed on Monday morning which speedily proved fatal.
Friends he had many, and, to those who were his intimates, his company was always a delight. Had he chosen to enter the field of literature he would have made a brilliant career. No friend ever received a letter from him, even on business, but it contained evidence of remarkable ability, either in belles-letters, or in wit of the highest and purest type. In years past these columns have contained evidence of this, and private letters he has written to friends have often been so full of genial humor and such a natural play of wit, that they have been passed from hand to hand until almost thumbed to rags. In all our experience we recall no one who possessed such a natural predilection for literary labor, or who did his work so easily and gracefully, and we have often thought that had circumstances compelled him to give his attention to that pursuit, he would have achieved a brighter success than he attained as a business man and financier. But his facile pen is laid aside; his genial disposition is but a memory; and the warm, sunny friendship he exhibited towards his cherished friends is a delight that many of us will miss out of the future. As a husband, a father, a friend, he was a model for others to emulate.
The remains were brought to this city yesterday, and will be buried this evening. The funeral service will be at the residence of his sister, Mrs. D. H. Hughes, at 6 o'clock p. m. Rev. H. B. Woodworth, of Grand Forks, will officiate. After three o’clock this afternoon the casket will be open for the inspection of those who wish to take a last look at their departed friend as he lies apparently in a placid sleep.

Phelps Cemetery
 

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