1930 census says he emigrated in 1890. Occupation listed as poultry farmer.
Frank Tragni notes lists his birth year as 1853. But arithmetic in 1930 census (age listed as 74) places the birth year as about 1856.
Frank Tragni tells a story that he panned gold in Alaska. He also may have had patents for subterranean excavations.
Frank Tragni has photo with the caption of Lund born. This may indicate he was born in Lund, Sweden, a University town in southern Sweden.
Samuel Mattson found in:
Canadian Genealogy Index, 1600s-1900s
Event: Living
Year: 1881
Place: Matawan
Province of record source: Ontario
County of record source: Algoma
Source: Extracts from the 1881 federal census of Algoma District: Matawin, Microfilm #C13282, National Archives of Canada, Ottawa.
Volume/Page(s): 29
Please note: The province and county are associated with the location of the record source and in some cases may not be the same as the place where the event occured.
Algoma, Ontario is northwest of Sault Ste. Marie. There is a Matawan River in the area.