Genesee County MI Archives Biographies.....Mathewson, Stephen 1831 - 
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Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com December 7, 2007, 1:47 am

Author: Chapman Bros. (1892)

STEPHEN MATHEWSON, Supervisor of the Second Ward of the city of Flint, and a
land surveyor and civil engineer by profession, was born in Franklinville,
Cattaraugus County, N. Y., February 28, 1831. His father, John C., was a native
of Sherburne, Chenango County, N. Y., whence he removed at an early day to
Cattaraugus County and operated as a farmer. There he was married to Miss
Caroline McClure, and the young couple settled on a farm in that county. In 1848
they came to Michigan, settling in Mundy, Genesee County, on a new farm which
bore few improvements. Our subject was a youth of seventeen years when he
accompanied his parents to this State and he remained under the parental roof
until 1853.

  The parents had a family of eight children, viz: our subject; Grice, who still
remains on the old homestead; Harriet L., deceased; Viola, the wife of Myron
Bunnel; Angeline, deceased, who became Mrs. Arthur Johnson, and lived in
Chesaning, Saginaw County; Caroline, deceased; John, a resident of Mundy, and
Orion, deceased. The father remained on the farm which he improved in this
county until his death which occurred in the winter of 1885-86. The mother
passed from earth in 1856. They are remembered with affection not only by their
immediate descendants but by those who knew of their noble characters and worthy
lives. As one of the pioneers of this section of country the name of John C.
Mathewson will be held in reverence so long as patriotism burns within the
hearts of our countrymen.

  The education which our subject gleaned from the old fashioned text books, was
partly gained in a little red school house in Cattaraugus County, N. Y., and
completed in the High School of Flint. After leaving home in 1853 he engaged in
surveying and civil engineering, which he had learned by observation and study.
For some time he continued thus engaged during the summer, and in the winter
season followed the profession of a teacher. He taught three winters after his
marriage which was solemnized in March, 1858. The bride on this important
occasion was Miss Louisa Bishop, of Grand Blanc, Genesee County, and the
daughter of Julian Bishop, now deceased.

  After his marriage Mr. Mathewson made his home on a farm in Mundy Township,
which he owned and operated, but in 1872 he removed to Flint to engage in
surveying county land. In that line of business he has remained since engaged,
not only doing all the city work, but surveying for private parties. As a dealer
in and contractor for sewer pipe and drain tile he does an extensive business,
having been occupied in this way for many years. In the spring of 1875 he was
first elected Supervisor and has since served with credit to himself and
acceptably to the people. During a portion of his term of service he has been
Chairman of the County Board of Supervisors. Between 1860 and 1870 he served as
County Surveyor, and was Drain Commissioner for the county two years. While he
resided in Mundy Township he served in various official capacities, among them
being School Inspector and Township Clerk.

  In his social relations Mr. Mathewson is a member of the Masonic fraternity,
to which he has belonged since 1855, and is identified with Flint Lodge, No. 23;
Washington Chapter, No. 15; Flint Council and Genesee Valley Commandery No. 15.
He owns and resides in a pleasant home at No. 524 Harrison Street, where the
visitor is sure of a cordial reception from the host and hostess. Mr. and Mrs.
Mathewson have a family of four children, viz: Fred G., now with a firm of
contractors at Duluth, Minn.; John J., who married Miss Margaret Rhodes, and has
by that union one child, Louisa; he lives on a farm belonging to his father in
Mundy Township; Edward C., who is in the employ of the Duluth Tribune Company,
at Duluth, Minn.; and Emma May, who remains under the parental roof. These
children received the advantages of the Flint schools and are occupying
responsible positions as members of the business and social world. Mr.
Mathewson, with his estimable wife and their children hold membership in the
Congregational Church, and contribute liberally to the various benevolent
enterprises which appeal to them for aid.


Additional Comments:

Extracted from:

Portrait and Biographical Record of Genesee, Lapeer and Tuscola Counties,
Michigan, Containing Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative
Citizens, Together with Biographies of all the Governors of the State, and of
the Presidents of the United States

Chicago:
Chapman Bros.
1892


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