Robert Mattson (businessman)
This article relies largely or entirely on a single source. (July 2016) |
commercial counsellor Robert Emanuel Mattson | |
---|---|
Born | |
Died | 10 May 1935 Helsinki, Finland | (aged 83)
Education | shipmaster |
Board member of |
|
Spouse(s) | 1884–1915: Amanda Gustava née Savander 1916→: Sonja née Bergroth (formerly Tschaplin) |
Parent(s) | Mats Mattson and Serafia Elisabeth Matsdotter |
Awards | commercial counsellor 1919[1] |
Robert Emanuel Mattson (16 May 1851 – 10 May 1935) was a Finnish
Mattson was born in
Mattson became a major owner of Helsinki-based Kone- ja Siltarakennus engineering company. The company grew rapidly but by the 1930s it had fallen into financial problems. Also Mattson's personal financial situation weakened, and following to his death, the company's main creditor sold his shares.
Early years
Mattson was born in Vårdö, Åland. His father Mats Mattson was a shipowner and locally influential business person. At the age of 16 Mattson, against his father's will, became sailor. He studied in Mariehamn Sailing School graduating shipmaster in 1872, at age of 21. In the same year he made an excursion to UK. Subsequently, Mattson mastered two sailing ships. In 1878, after spending about ten years at sea, Mattson became trader in Mariehamn and he opened another shop in Sund. However, trading was not very profitable because it was not possible to reach large volumes in Mariehamn where were just 500 inhabitants.[1]
Shipping
At the early 1880s Mattson started shipping business first as minor shareholder of various ships, later as sole owner. He bought old, at least quarter of century old sailing ships. By the 1890s steamers started to replace sailing ships and Mattson could obtain good sailing ships for relatively cheap. Until the end of the 19th century Mattson only owned wooden ships; in 1900 he bought majority ownership of two steel-hulled windjammers and one barque.[1]
Mattson became one of the most successful Åland shipowners along with
Mattson bought his first steam ship, 4,600-GRT Naxos in 1925. The ship was operated via Helsinki-based company called Ab Naxos Prince which was owned by Mattson family. During the following couple of years the tonnage was grown by three more vessels, and at the end of the 1920s the company became with its 20,000-GRT craft the second biggest line shipping company of Helsinki after
Estate business
Mattson started estate investment in Helsinki in the early 20th century. He owned Königstedt Manor during 1902–1907. Following to the death of his wife Amanda in 1915, Mattson moved permanently to Helsinki. He obtained several real properties and empty lots in Helsinki, most significant being Nordsjö Manor which he bought in 1916.[1]
Kone- ja Siltarakennus
After moving to Helsinki Mattson acquired 50.4% share of engineering company
The rapid growth together with the
Mattson died in 1935 after which PYP sold the Kone ja Silta shares to Wärtsilä company which was led by Wilhelm Wahlforss. The acquisition was remarkable because Wärtsilä was much smaller than Kone ja Silta.[1]
Other businesses
Mattson was co-founder of Ålands Sjöfartstidning newspaper which was issued in 1904–1905. He worked as inspector of Åbo Aktiebank Mariehamn office since 1897.[1]
Mattson was member of Mariehamn town council for over ten years, also as a member of board of poor people's caretaking.[1]
Philanthropy
Mattson donated significant sum of 1.2 million
Mattson did not forget his roots; he supported financially renovation of Vårdö church, Åland seamens' mission and schools.[1]
Personal life and family
Mattson is characterised as religious, hardworking and businessman by nature. He was modest and often excessively thrifty.[1]
Mattson was married twice; first to Amanda Gustava née Savander until her death in 1915. In the following year he married Sonja née Bergroth, formerly Tschaplin.[1]