David Matteson

Abilene Daily Reflector, Monday, Sept. 8, 1919

Vol. XXXIII, No. 110

DAVID MATTESON AT REST

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Prominent Abilene Resident Served

As Mayor Three Terms.

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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.