California Biographies
Mendocino and Lake Counties, California
 
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 Mendocino and Lake Counties, California
With Biographical Sketches
History by Aurelius O. Carpenter And Percy H. Millberry
Illustrated, Complete In One Volume
Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, California, 1914


CHARLES J. MATHISON. A native son of Mendocino county, 
Charles J. Mathison was born at Little River, July 15, 1886. His father. John 
P. Mathison, was born in Norway, where he was engaged in the fishing in- 
dustry. As a young man he came to Michigan, where he was employed in 
the mines for five years, and then returned to Norway, where he married 
Caroline Petersen. After their marriage the young couple migrated to Men- 
docino county, arriving about thirty years ago. For five years he was em- 
ployed in different mills ; then he determined to engage in ranching. Locat- 
ing a claim about five miles inland from Little River, he improved it and has 
operated it ever since. Mr. and Mrs. John P. Mathison had six children, as 
follows: Otto H., Hilma, Charles J., Frank, Robert and Emma. The first 
two and Robert reside on the home farm, while the rest live at Wendling. 

Charles J. Mathison's boyhood was spent on the ranch at Little River, 
where he received his education in the public schools. However, he went 
to work early in life, for at fourteen years of age we find him working in the 
woods for the Albion Lumber Company, after which he was employed in the 
same capacity for other lumber companies for several years. Desiring to 
acquire a business education he entered the Santa Rosa Business College and 
was graduated in 1913, after which he clerked for W. B. Coombs at Little 
River. 

In February, 1914, Mr. Mathison started his present store at Wendling, 
being engaged in general merchandising, and he is meeting with substantial 
success. Fraternally he is a member of Wawbeek Tribe, I. O. R. M., at Men- 
docino. He was reared in the Lutheran Church, to which faith he has always 
adhered.