Toivo Ralph Mattson
b. 11 November 1904, d. 27 August 1996
- Father: Alexander Mattson b. 2 September 1869, d. 27 January 1924
- Mother: Emma Josefina Reini b. 3 May 1872, d. 23 August 1939
- Toivo Ralph Mattson was born on 11 November 1904 in Lawrence County, South Dakota.
- He was known as Pete later in life.
- 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 Toivo Ralph Mattson, Jalmer Mathius Mattson, Albert Alexander Mattson, Hubert John Mattson, George Mattson, Emma Elvira Mattson and Walter Rudolph Mattson.
- 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, Lawrence County, South Dakota. Other members of the household included Toivo Ralph Mattson, Emma Elvira Mattson, Walter Rudolph Mattson, Martha Marian Mattson and Mayme Margaret Mattson.
- 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. - Emma Josefina Reini appeared in the US federal census of 1 April 1930 in Lead, Lawrence County, South Dakota, at 7 East McClaren? Street. Other members of the household included Toivo Ralph Mattson, Walter Rudolph Mattson, Martha Marian Mattson, Mayme Margaret Mattson and Emma Elvira Mattson.
- He married Gertrude Alice Mumford on 4 June 1932 in Deadwood, Lawrence County, South Dakota, with Arthur E. Cash, Episcopal Minister, officiating.
- The following appeared on 23 August 1939 in the Lead Daily Call: Mrs. Josephine Mattson, a well known and highly respected resident of Lead for the past 40 years, succumbed in the Homestake hospital this morning about 1 o'clock. Mrs. Mattson had been receiving hospitalization the past two months for a broken hip, and was apparently recovering until a few hours before her death, when she became critically ill. Her unexpected death was a severe shock to her family and friends.
The deceased was born in Laihija, Finland, May 3, 1872, and came to the United States in 1889. She had been a resident of Lead since 1899. Her husband died January 27, 1924, and five children also preceded her in death.
Surviving sons and daughters are Jalmer of Butte, Mont; Mrs. Hilda Ferguson, Lead; Albert A., of Pittsburgh, Pa; Hubert J., of Tehonsha, Mich; T. Ralph, of Hot Springs; Mrs. Emma Davies, of Wagner, S. D; Walter, Martha and Mayme Henry, of Lead.
The absent sons and daughters are enroute to Lead. Mrs. Ferguson was visiting in Minneapolis at the time of her mother's death and came today by plane.
Other survivors are two sisters, Mrs. Jennie Rentto, Lead, and Mrs. Saraphia Hilston of Fairpoint, Ohio; seven grandchildren and one great grandchild. She was a member of the Finnish Evangelical Lutheran church. Funeral services will probably be held Friday or Saturday, although no definite arrangements have yet been made. - Toivo Ralph Mattson became a widower at the September 1981 death of his wife Gertrude Alice Mumford.
- The SSDI lists Spearfish, Lawrence County, South Dakota, as the last residence of record of Toivo Ralph Mattson.
- Toivo Ralph Mattson died on 27 August 1996 at age 91 in South Dakota.
- Last Edited: 16 Jul 2016