Alexander Mattson

Alexander Mattson

Sander Mattson, 1869-1924

• Father: Matti Joensun/Vilamo/Rentto b. 31 December 1842, d. 6 September 1917
• Mother: Aurora Frederika Fredrikintytar Makela b. 2 March 1842, d. 3 February 1928

• Alexander “Sander” Mattson 2109
  Emma Josefina Reini Mattson 2001
  Hubert John “Jim” Mattson 2261
  Albert Alexander “Aub” Mattson 2259
  Jaimer Mathius Mattson 2257
  Hilda Elizabeth Mattson 2258
  Tolvo Ralph “Pete” Mattson 2273
  Walter Rudolph Mattson 2254
  Mayme Margaret Mattson 2256
  Martha Marian Mattson 2255
  Emma Elvira Mattson 2018.
• Alexander Mattson was born on 2 September 1869 in Viitala, Parish of Virrat, Finland.
• He was known as Sander.
• He married Emma Josefina Reini, daughter of Herman Reini and Elizabeth Parkkari, on 2 June 1890 in Fairport Harbor, Lake County, Ohio, and Sander's brother Nestor Rentto married Josephine's sister Jennie.
• He was naturalized about in 1899.
• Alexander Mattson and Emma Josefina Reini appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1900 in Lead, Lawrence County, South Dakota. Other members of the household included Hilja Mattson, Jalmer Mathius Mattson, Hilda Elizabeth Mattson, Albert Alexander Mattson, Wilho Edward Mattson and Hubert John Mattson.
• He was a gold miner, according to the 1900 census.
• Many members of the Davies and Mattson families were employed by Homestake Mining Company. Toward the end of the Dakota Territory Black Hills gold rush (1875-1877), mining magnate George Hearst purchased one of the most promising claims in the Lead/Deadwood area for $70,000 and incorporated it as the Homestake Mining Company. Before its closing in 2002, Homestake Gold Mine was the oldest, largest and deepest mine in the Western Hemisphere, reaching more than 8,000 feet below the town of Lead.
• The following appeared on 2 April 1910 in the Lead Daily Call: George Mattson, the 8 year old son of Mr. and Mrs. Sander Mattson, is very ill at the family home in Hiawatha Park. But little hope is expessed for the little fellow's recovery.
• Alexander Mattson and Emma Josefina Reini appeared in the US federal census of 15 April 1910 in 421 Park Avenue, Lawrence County, South Dakota. Other members of the household included Jalmer Mathius Mattson, Albert Alexander Mattson, Hubert John Mattson, George Mattson, Toivo Ralph Mattson, Emma Elvira Mattson and Walter Rudolph Mattson.
• He was a gold miner, according to the 1910 census.
• He officially witnessed the death of Ida Mattson on 5 November 1913 in Lead, South Dakota.
• The following appeared on 5 November 1913 in the Lead Daily Call: Ida Mattson, the infant daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Sander Mattson, died this morning of infantile disorcers. The child was but nine months old at the time of death. The funeral will take place from the family home at 421 Park avenue tomorrow afternoon at 2 o'clock, Rev. Piettella officiating.
• The following appeared on 2 April 1919 in the Lead Daily Call: (Card of Thanks) We wish to extend our sincere thanks to all friends and neighbors who were so kind to us in our sad bereavement; also for the beautiful floral tributes.
       Mr. and Mrs. Sander Mattson and Family.
• In 1919, at the close of the war, Sander and Emma Mattson were photographed together with all of their living children: Jim, Albert, Jalmer, Hilda, Pete, Walter, Mayme, Martha, and Emma. On 5 April 1991, brother Hubert John "Pete" (in Hot Springs, South Dakota) wrote to Emma Davies (in Augusta, Georgia), "The picture that Elton sent you was taken in 1919 when we were living at 421 Park Ave. It was taken after Jalmer, Jim and Aub had been discharged from the service. I believe that that was the last time we were all together, as shortly after that Aub & Jalmer went to Butte, Mont., and Jim went to Sturgis, Mich."
• Alexander Mattson appeared in the US federal census of 1 January 1920 in Lead, South Dakota. Other members of the household included Toivo Ralph Mattson, Emma Elvira Mattson, Walter Rudolph Mattson, Martha Marian Mattson and Mayme Margaret Mattson.
• He was a gold miner, according to the 1920 census.
• Alexander Mattson died on 27 January 1924 at age 54 in Lead, South Dakota.
• Emma Josefina Reini became a widow at his death.
• He was interred at South Lead Cemetery, Lead, Lawrence County, South Dakota.
• The following appeared on 28 January 1924 in the Lead Daily Call: Santer [sic] Mattson, well known to Finnish circles and for the past 26 years a resident of this city and an employee of the Homestake company, died yesterday at 10 a. m., at his home. Funeral services will be conducted at the Finnish Evangelical church, Thursday at 2 p.m., Rev. K. V. Mykhanene officiating.
       Deceased was born in Wurta Finland, 1869, and in early manhood came to this country. He has been a United States citizen for the past 25 years. The immediate cause of his death was consumption.
       Mr. Mattson was a member of the Ancient order of United Workmen, the Homestake Aid association and for years was a leading figure in the Finnish Temperance society. Thoroughly Americanized, he besought for his large family the finest that educational institutions in this country afford. His success is attested to by the success of his children.
       He is survived by his wife, a brother, Nestor Rento, and the following children: Hjalmer, safety engineer of the Anaconda Copper Mining company, of Butte, Mont; Mrs. W. A. Ferguson of Lead; Albert A., states attorney at Soda Springs, Ida; Hubert J., expert manager for Kersch Lace Curtain and Rod company, Sturgis, Mich; Ralph, a student at the University of South Dakota at Vermillion; and Walter, Emma, Martha and Mamie, minors.
• A single grave marker identifies the graves of Alexander Mattson and Emma Josefina Reini and Wilho Edward Mattson, George Mattson, Ida Mattson and Theodore Mattson.

• Last Edited: 16 Jul 2016