One of the early pioneers of Santa Cruz County was the gentleman whose name heads this sketch. He was born in Yorkshire, England, in 1822, but left his native land when but sixteen years of age and came to the United States, settling first in Yates County, New York. When about twenty-one years of age he went to Chicago, and assumed the duties of foreman of a large shoe factory.
In May, 1849, Mr. Mattison left Chicago for California, coming across the plains and being six months on the way. The party took what was known as the Green Horn’s Cut-off, and were compelled to traverse a seventy-five-mile desert without water. They lost many cattle, but no lives.
Mr. Mattison reached Santa Cruz on Christmas day of the same year. He made this place his home for five years, engaging in the manufacture of saddles, having at the same time some mining interests in the northern part of the State. At the end of this time he returned East to Michigan City, where he remained another five years, marrying, in 1859, Miss Lila Miles. He then came to California, this time by the way of the Isthmus of Panama, and settled on a ranch some three miles from Santa Cruz, which property he had acquired during his former residence.
At this home he resided until his death, January 26, 1890. Here his two sons were born, and here his widow yet remains.
Mr. Mattison was an associate judge in 1860. He was always active in politics, being an old-time Whig, and an active Republican during the time of the Civil War. He was also prominent in church work, being an active member of the Congregational Church for many years.
History of Santa Cruz County, California
by E.S. Harrison
Published by Pacific Press Publishing Company
San Francisco, Cal., 1892
Transcribed by Yvonne Valentine 1/18/09, Page 242
Santa Cruz County Biographies ~ Archive Biography Index ~ Archive Index
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