O. B. Matteson, 1847

Posted4U@Charter.net on Wed, 14 Feb 2001

Surname: MATTESON, STANFORD, SHANKS, FORSMO

Source: 1918 History of Clark Co., WI, by Franklyn, Curtiss-Wedge


O. B. Matteson and Family

O. B. MATTESON, in former years a prominent factor in the lumbering and farming industries of Clark County, but now living retired in the village of Unity, was born in Kenosha, Wis., Oct. 10, 1847, son of Silas C. and Emily (Stanford) Matteson. His parents were natives of New York state, who migrated west to Wisconsin in 1845 and for one year resided in Kenosha, the father following the varied occupations of farmer, lawyer and collector. A few years later they removed to Newcastle, now Campbellsport, Fond du Lac County, and engaged in farming there, which he followed chiefly for the rest of his active life. During his declining years he made his home with his children. He died in Kenosha, where both he and his wife are buried, the latter dying, however, in Chicago. Their family numbered 15 children, those now living being 0. B. Jared, Clark, Hannah, Lillie, Etta, Jesse, Sarah and Ella. The deceased are Artemisia, Emily, Seth, Bertha, and two who died unnamed. 0. B. Matteson acquired his education in the public schools of Fond du Lac County and in Lawrence College of Appleton, Wis. In 1871 he came to Clark County and engaged in teaching, being one of the first teachers and educators in Beaver Township, where he located. This occupation he followed for five years in the township and vicinity.

His homestead, which he secured on his arrival, consisted of eighty acres of land, an wild and heavily timbered, which he cleared and broke, erecting first a log house after the manner of the pioneer settlers. As the years passed he added to his land until he had a farm of 240 acres, and also erecting a modern frame house, barns and outbuildings for the housing of his stock, grain and machinery. During early days, in addition to farming, he engaged quite extensively in logging and lumbering, buying the land and cutting the timber, sometimes selling the raw logs and sometimes having it sawed into lumber which he sold. In this connection he became widely known both throughout Clark County and the state. During all this time he continued to reside on his farm, carrying on diversified farming, but in his later years making a specialty of choice grain and oats. Mr. Matteson also took
an active part in township affairs, serving at various times on the town board, both as town clerk and supervisor, and doing efficient work on the school board for twenty-five years. His political principles are those of the Republican party.

In 1914 Mr. Matteson sold his farm and moved to the village of Unity, where he purchased a comfortable residence in which he and his wife are spending the afternoon of life, in the enjoyment of many comforts earned by long years of hard and persistent toil. It was on Nov. 9, 1874, that Mr. Matteson was united in marriage with Jennie Shanks, daughter of Thomas Shanks, one of the early settlers of Clark County. Mrs. Matteson was born Jan. 19, 1857, acquired her education in the public schools, and, like her husband, was for several years one of the early school teachers of Clark County. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Matteson. The first child, Bertha, was born Nov. 20, 1877, died Aug. 21, 1878. The second was Maynard S., born Oct. 8, 1879, is now living in Milwaukee, where he is engaged in the manufacture of the Pfau Motor Pump, and where he has purchased a permanent home. He married Minnie Justman and has one child, Jesse. Angela B., the third child, was born Dec. 27, 1888. She acquired her elementary education in the common schools, was graduated from the Loyal high school in the class of 1907, and then followed teaching for four years and a half. She subsequently entered the State Normal School at Stevens Point, where she mastered the domestic science course, of which branch of knowledge she has since been a teacher. Benage Ol, the youngest child of Mr. And Mrs. Matteson, was born Sept. 5, 1895, and is now a resident of Fond du Lac, Wis. On May 5, 1917, he married Sophia Forsmo, and they have a son, Floyd Benage, born April 19, 1918. The religious affiliations of the Matteson family are with the Methodist Episcopal Church.