California Biographies

Transcribed by Peggy Hooper

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives 
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm

Source:
History of the state of California and biographical record of the San Joaquin 
Valley, California. An historical story of the state's marvelous growth from 
its earliest settlement to the present time.
Prof. James Miller Guinn , A. M.
The Chapman Publishing Co., Chicago 1905
Notes: Missing Page: 865-866,983-984,1175-1176


ARTHUR WILLIAM MATHEWSON. The Mathewson family, which had a representative in 
California in the person of Arthur William Mathewson, a pioneer of 1856, is of English ancestry, 
the first emigrant from his native shores settling in Rhode Island. There the family flourished 
for many generations, the first to remove from the state being Charles Mathewson, who located 
in Wheelock, Caledonia county, Vt. His wife was in maidenhood Sarah Williams, a native of 
Rhode Island and a direct descendant of Roger Williams, and a relative of Governor Sprague, 
of that state, where members of her family are cotton manufacturers. Charles Mathewson came 
to California about 1849 an d for some time engaged as a miner, after which he located near 
Visalia, Tulare county, and made this community his home until his death. 

The birth of Arthur William Mathewson occurred in Wheelock, Caledonia county, Vt., No- 
vember 14, 1834, he being the sixth in order of birth in a family of ten children. Reared on his 
father's farm he was trained to the practical duties which fell to his lot. His early education in the 
public school near his home was followed by attendance at the academy at Lyndon, Vt. At six- 
teen years of age he started out for himself, but after working in a tannery for two years he re- 
turned to the home farm, and three years later, in 1856, came to California as a pioneer. Like 
the majority who thronged to the west at that time he began as a miner, and for two years was 
engaged in Placer county. Locating in San Jose in 1859 ne bought a farm and followed general 
agricultural pursuits for five years, or until he lost his land, as it was found that it belonged to 
a Spanish grant. Coming to Tulare county he engaged in the sheep business, gradually increas- 
ing his herds until he had over four thousand head. He continued to purchase land from time 
to time, disposing of it as he could make a profit, but retained his home on the Farmersville road, 
five miles southeast of Visalia. He spent one year in Nebraska, located at Omaha, engaging in 
buying and selling sheep. He engaged in general fanning until his death, which occurred August 
17, 1896, and which removed from the community a man respected for his honorable record of 
years, and a citizen whose best efforts had ever been given to promote the general welfare of the 
community. He was especially prominent in connection with the irrigating movement in Tulare 
county, for seven years prior to his death being president of the People's Ditch Company. 

The marriage of Mr. Mathewson united him with Lucinda Tinkham in 1861. She was a na- 
tive of Ohio and the daughter of Nathaniel Tinkham, the greater part of whose life was spent 
in Ohio and Iowa, his death occurring in the latter state. Mrs. Mathewson came to California 
with her mother, Clarissa Lampeer, whose death occurred in this state. Mrs. Mathewson sur- 
vives her husband and is the manager of the home place of two hundred and sixty acres. Of 
her children, Charles is deceased ; Pearl is the wife of Robert K. Ogden, who is located near 
the home place ; Levi is also in the vicinity ; Edith is the wife of William Mosher, of Visalia ; 
Earl and James A. are at home ; and Maud is deceased. One child died in infancy. Mrs. Math- 
ewson is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 

Mr. Mathewson was a stanch Republican in his political convictions and was an active partici- 
pant in the affairs of his party. He served on the state central committee on the People's party 
ticket at one time, was a frequent attendant of state conventions, and was candidate for super- 
visor from the second district. Fraternally he was identified with the Independent Order of Odd 
Fellows and Foresters of America, and also belonged to the Tulare Grange and Patrons of 
Husbandry. He was an active and enterprising citizen and took a most helpful interest in all 
movements calculated to advance the general welfare.