W. G. Mathieu Biography


	This biography appears on pages 836-837 in "History of Dakota 
	Territory" by George W. Kingsbury, Vol. V (1915) and was 
	scanned, OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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				W. G. MATHIEU. 

	The financial interests of Edmunds county are well represented by 
W. G. Mathieu, cashier of The Bank of Bowdle, his activity along that 
line dating from 1910. He was born in Buffalo county, Wisconsin, on the 
4th of February, 1881, a son of William and Louisa (Wilson) Mathieu. 
The father was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, January 4, 1849, but 
in his childhood days went with his parents to Wisconsin and it was in 
Alma, that state, in October, 1876, that he wedded Louisa Wilson, a 
native of Homewood, Pennsylvania, born February 10, 1857. In early 
manhood William Mathieu engaged in the steamboat service on the 
Mississippi river and after his marriage he settled upon a farm in 
Buffalo county, Wisconsin, where he carried on general agricultural 
pursuits until 1887. He then removed west to Brown county, South 
Dakota. He had made a trip to that section of the state in 1880. The 
Chicago & Milwaukee Railroad had been built at that time only as far as 
Bristol and he and a party of five others walked across the prairie 
from that point through Groton to Rondell, sleeping at night on the 
open prairie with the starry heavens as their canopy. There was not a 
single building upon the present site of Groton or of Aberdeen. 

	On his removal to Brown county in 1887 William Mathieu settled at 
Verdon, where he erected a store building and for two years conducted a 
mercantile business. At the end of that time he engaged in the grain 
trade and implement business, with which he was prominently identified 
for twenty years, securing a liberal patronage as the country became 
more thickly settled and developed. In 1904 he organized the Farmers & 
Merchants State Bank in Verdon, of which he was the principal 
stockholder. In June, 1909, he disposed of his banking as well as his 
other business interests and retired from active life. For twenty years 
he was the foremost business man of Verdon and that section of the 
state. His interests were extensive, varied and important and he 
carried forward to successful completion whatever he undertook, his 
labors at all times being of a character that contributed to public 
progress and improvement as well as to individual success. He is a 
member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen and his life has been 
well spent. 

	In early youth W. G. Mathieu was brought to South Dakota and was 
here reared upon the frontier, early becoming familiar with all the 
different phases of pioneer existence. His public-school education was 
supplemented by a commercial course at the Aberdeen Business College, 
and after completing his studies there he became associated with his 
father in the conduct of his various business enterprises. In December, 
1909, after his father had disposed of his business connections, W. G. 
Mathieu went to Kansas, where he had some land holdings, and there he 
remained for a year. In December, 1910, he located in Bowdle and in 
company with his father purchased The Bank of Bowdle, of which his 
father became the president, while W. G. Mathieu assumed the management 
of the bank as its cashier. The home of the bank is one of the finest 
bank buildings in that section of the state, splendidly equipped with 
all modern devices for protection and safety, while the furnishing of 
the bank are most attractive. 

	In 1910 Mr. Mathieu was united in marriage to Miss Gertie Bliss, 
of Durand, Illinois. He gives his political allegiance to the democracy 
and fraternally is identified with the Benevolent Protective Order of 
Elks, belonging to Aberdeen Lodge, No. 1046. He is one of the well 
known business men of his part of the state, readily adapts himself to 
changing conditions, studies the signs of the times and is conducting 
his business affairs along modern, progressive methods. He has, too, 
that spirit of conservatism which is so essential in safe and 
successful bank management and is regarded as a thoroughly trustworthy 
business man. enjoying the confidence and goodwill of all.