.

Here, gathered in our beloved South Dakota, are a few members of our Williamson / Mattson Clan. Charles and Luella are to be blamed (be kind, they didn't know what they were doing). We're generally a happy bunch and somewhat intelligent (notwithstanding our tenuous grasp on reality). I'm also proud to say that most of us still have our teeth.

Thursday, July 6, 2017

New Pictures and Information on Eric Mattson our Cousin with the Golden Voice. Star of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Musicals Carousel and Oklahoma

More Information on Our Cousin Rudolph Eric Mattson, Actor, Who Sang on Broadway. Mattson Line.

From the Fortress of Solitude
Pleasant Grove

Hello All,
     Welcome to another digital family reunion.
     I recently received an email from Gloria Matson. Her husband, Eric Matson, is a great-grandchild of Emil Mattson, twin brother to Edward Mattson and my 3rd cousin. Our great-grandfather John Albert Mattson was another brother to Emil and Edward. It was a large Swedish family for sure.
     Gloria sent a few pictures of our opera singing, actor cousin Rudolf Eric Mattson (who went by Eric) that I didn't have.  I'm posting them today with additional information you may find interesting.
     In addition to the new pictures and information, I'm reposting a blog post I did back in February 2014 detail more on the life of our somewhat famous cousin.
     Let's begin with a few new pictures of cousin Eric Mattson and a reminder that Eric sang in the Rogers and Hammerstein musical Carousel when it first debuted on Broadway. On a side note, I believe he chose to go by Eric because Rudolf sounded too German. Rudolf served in World War I with his brother Oscar. Both he and Oscar took in a dangerous amount of mustard gas while fighting in the trenches.   

Rudolf Eric Mattson (Eric Mattson)

Eric Mattson at the height of his career. It is dedicated to his cousin Walter Mattson (not our Walter). Walter was Eric's first cousin, son of Emil Mattson. Eric was also our Walter Mattson's first cousin.


This is Walter Mattson's Baptismal Certificate. You'll see his father listed as Emil.
Walter was born in California in 1905. The family was attending a Swedish Lutheran Church in California at the time. 

There is another bit if interesting news to share. I found this record of Eric Mattson (Rudolph) leaving New York for a 6-month stay in England in 1950.

 


And this showing his arrival in England.


Notice this record of arrival lists his address in London as the Drury Lane Theatre.  With a bit more research, I found this advertisement for the musical Carousel which played at the Drury Lane Theatre in 1950.  You'll see that cousin Eric is listed in the cast.  Isn't family history fun?  It's detective work!


I also found this 1940 census entry for Rudolph and his family. I think it will enlarge if you click on it.  





So there you have it. New information and pictures of our famous cousin with the golden voice.

Below is a repost of the blog posting giving more history on Rudolph Eric Mattson I wrote in February 2014.

Enjoy,
Victor

Our Cousin Rudolph Eric Mattson, Actor, Who Sang on Broadway. Mattson Line.


February 2014

Hello,
     Our family truly represents the best of America.  We are a slice of what made this nation great. Our ancestors played an active role in every major historical event.  Because of that, is important the next generations know and appreciate their ancestor's accomplishments, victories, and defeats.  
     I'm hoping you share these stories and photos with your children. Instill in them the pride they should have for who they are and the family from which they descend.

The Life of Rudolf Eric Mattson, Our First Cousin Twice Removed. 

Rudolph E. Mattson was born on January 8, 1908, in Pennsylvania, his father, Edvard, was 42 and his mother, Nellie, was 35. He had two brothers and two sisters. He died on March 24, 1989, in Flushing, New York, at the age of 81, and was buried in St Marys, Ohio.

Rudolph married Mary Margaret Mueller.  They had two children, Mary Ann and Judith Christine.


     Rudolf Eric Mattson was born to our Great Grand Uncle Edward (Edvard) Mattson and his wife, Nellie Johnson.  He was born in Scranton, Pennsylvania on January 8, 1908.  Please refer to the Relationship Chart below. 


     Rudolph loved to sing, as evident in the many newspapers articles I posted in last Sunday's blog post.  He grew up in Scranton and started and taught music and vocal lessons.  

Rudolph Strikes it Big on Broadway, Staring in the Broadway Premiere of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Carousel and Oklahoma. Went by his middle name, Eric.


Eric Mattson singing in Broadway Premiere of Rodgers and Hammersteins' Carousel. 


 The Cast and Creative Team of Carousel.
 Newspaper Clippings On Eric Mattson




Rudolph Eric Mattson and Mary Margaret Mueller