Encyclopedia of Connecticut biography, genealogical-memorial ...

of the Christian name of the father com-
bined with the word "son." In the early
dates, before surnames were in general
use, it was common to refer to a man as
John's son, William's son, and Matthew's
son. As time went on and surnames became
a necessity, in order to distinguish
members of a family, it was very natural
that these names would be assumed by
those who had borne them, as their surnames.
The name of Mathewson is an
old one in England and is frequently met
with in the records there. In the State
of Connecticut the name has been known
since 1850, the founder of the family in
New England being John Mathewson.
John Mathewson, above referred to,
was born in Hounslow, England, where
he grew to manhood. He was apprenticed
to Mr. Charles Peck in the Woolwich
Arsenal, and after serving his time
went with his father, who was general
superintendent of the Government Gun
Powder Works in Hounslow. About
1845 ^I''- Mathewson came to America,
bringing with him and putting into operation
the first steam machinery for making
gunpowder. After installing the machines
in the plants of A. G. Hazard and
the Du Ponts, Mr. Mathewson remained
with the Hazard Powder Company as
general superintendent for many years,
until his removal to Enfield, at which
time he engaged in the brewing business
as a member of the firm of Mathewson &
Gray, which he organized to take over
the old Connecticut Valley Brewery in
Thompsonville. Mr. Mathewson was active
in the business until his death, which
occurred in 1879. He was a member of
the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
His wife, who was Ann (Turvey) Mathewson,
died in 1888, and they were the
parents of the following children : John,
deceased; Edwin E., a former partner of
Herbert A., now deceased ; Ann Eliza,
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
421
wife of William O. Collins, of Springfield,
Massachusetts ;
Albert H., of Springiield
Florence A., of Enfield, Connecticut;
George T., deceased ; Charles P., of Hart-
ford, Connecticut; Herbert A., who re-
ceives extended mention below.
Herbert A. Mathewson, son of John and
Ann (Turvey) Mathewson, was born in
Enfield, Connecticut, April 21, 1861, and
died June i, 1921. He was educated in
the public schools of that town and in the
private school of the Rev. C. M. Selleck,
of Norwalk. In 1879 he entered the employ
of Lounsbury Brothers & Company,
beginning as assistant shipping clerk, and
held all of the various positions up to a
partnership in the business. About 1876
Edwin E. Mathewson, brother of Herbert
A. Mathewson, became a member of the
firm, and the name was changed to Louns-
bury, Mathewson & Company, and later
Herbert A. became a member of the firm.
The product of manufacture has always
been women's shoes, sold direct to the re-
tailer. Salesmen cover the entire United
States in the interests of the business, and
there are three hundred and ten people
employed. Mr. Mathewson was one of
the energetic American type of business
men, and was held in high esteem among
his fellow business men and citizens. He
was a director of the City National Bank
of South Norwalk. In politics he was a
Republican, and gave able service to the
interests of his constituents as treasurer
of the city of Norwalk. His clubs were
the South Norwalk and the Norwalk
Country, and he was also a member of
several clubs in other cities. In all of the
many departments of city life into which
his activities led him he filled a place of
usefulness and made worthy contribution
to the general welfare. He was esteemed
for personal qualities of rare merit, and
the record of a busy life has no page that
will not bear the public view.
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