1907 Matheson Four

The Mathesons brothers, Frank F. and Charles W., grew up in Grand Rapids, Michigan. They were mechanically inclined and interested in building engines and transmissions. This meant their job at the Macey firm, a mail-order business dealing in office furniture, did not satisfy their passions. After negotiations with Grand Rapids engine builder Clark Sintz fell through, they went to Holyoke, Massachusetts, to purchase the Holyoke Motor Works business, owned by Charles G. Greuter. The brothers were interested in the overhead valve engine Greuter had designed. The brothers were successful in purchasing both Holyoke and the services of Greuter, who would remain as chief engineer of the company until 1908. Near the close of 1903, the Matheson Motor Company, Ltd. was organized. The company continued to produce engines and transmissions in the Holyoke shop, with the cars assembled in Grand Rapids (this soon changed as the entire operation moved to Holyoke early in 1904).

During the first full year of production, the Matheson Company built sixty automobiles. They were seven-passenger touring cars that had a 96-inch wheelbase and were powered by a four-cylinder engine offering 24 horsepower. At this point in history, the automobile was a luxury item, and production remained low. At $5,000, the Matheson was a very expensive car, which makes the production figure even more impressive.

In March of 1906, the Matheson Company moved to Wilkes-Barre, PA, where they would remain until 1912. In September of 1906, a Matheson touring car set a world record for the mile in 50 seconds at Atlantic City.

Around 1908, Mr. Greuter left the company. French engineer L.D. Kenan was hired as his replacement, and later A.M. Dean. By this point in history, the Matheson had a 128-inch wheelbase and was powered by a 50-horsepower four-cylinder engine. Body styles included a 7-passenger tourer, a runabout, a landaulet, and a limousine. Prices ranged from the low $5,000 to $6500. The following year, a six-cylinder engine was offered on the shorter 125.5-inch wheelbase and produced the same fifty horsepower as the four-cylinder engine. Even though it had two extra cylinders, it was the lowest-priced car in the lineup, selling for $3,000.

By 1909, nearly 400 workers were employed by the Matheson Company. They had secured a reputation for building large and luxurious vehicles. Unfortunately, they were in financial trouble, and they entered their first receivership in July 1910. They were rescued in November with a reorganization as the Matheson Automobile Company. This was short-lived, as the second receivership occurred in December of 1912, and the company was unable to survive. The sale of the company was on April 21st, 1912, and was acquired by a New York concern where the tooling was transformed to handle the production of munitions in support of the war effort. Frank Matheson remained with the company until 1914.

The brothers would continue to be influential members of the automotive community. In the early 1920s, Frank purchased his old plant back and used it for the distribution of Oakland, Dodge, and GMC trucks. Charles had become vice president of sales for Dodge Brothers and later worked for Oakland when the Pontiac was introduced. He later worked in sales for DeSoto and then as general sales manager for Graham.

by Daniel Vaughan | May 2019