Haaken L. Mathiesen
Encyclopedia
Haaken Larpent Mathiesen (7 April 1858 – 5 October 1930) was a Norwegian landowner and businessperson in the forestry
sector.
He was born in Christiania
as the son of landowner Haaken C. Mathiesen
(1827–1913) and his wife Anna Sophie Josephine Larpent (1833–1863). He was a brother of politician Christian Pierre Mathiesen
, nephew of art collector Sophus Larpent, and a great-grandson of Haagen Mathiesen
.
His family owned the manor Linderud
as well as large forests in Eidsvoll
and Hurdal
. Mathiesen intended to become a military officer, but as his older brother died in 1875, it fell upon him to inherit the family company. After a period of education, his first foray into business was the foundation of the company Nilsen, Mathiesen & Co. in Fredrikstad in 1883, together with Anthon B. Nilsen
. The company was dissolved in 1893, though a small remnant existed, managed by Haaken Mathiesen's younger half-brother Arthur. In the same year, Haaken Mathiesen joined forces with his father and bought Eidsvold Værk, creating the company Mathiesen Eidsvold Værk
which still exists today. He was the sole owner from 1895, and under his leadership the company ventured into the pulp and paper industry
. He was also among the founders of Orkla Gruber in 1904, and also invested in Sydvaranger
and Store Norske Spitsbergen Kulkompani
.
He was a Commander, First Class of the Royal Norwegian Order of St. Olav and the Danish Order of the Dannebrog
, as well as a Grand Officer of the Monegasque Order of St. Charles
. He knew the Prince of Monaco
from an investment venture in Portuguese East Africa
. Mathiesen was also a close friend of Crown Prince Gustaf of Sweden
, but nonetheless supported the dissolution of the union between Norway and Sweden in 1905.
In January 1891 he married Erikka Cappelen
Kiær (1866–1929), a daughter of Anders Ferrand Kiær. Their son Jørgen Mathiesen
inherited the family business, starting as a manager in the 1920s. He had to cope with debt problems, which came to be as a part of the general economic hardships of the World War I
and the interwar period
. Haaken Mathiesen died in October 1930 in Eidsvoll
. His son became the sole company owner, managed to survive economically and passed the company down to his son in the 1950s.
Forestry
Forestry is the interdisciplinary profession embracing the science, art, and craft of creating, managing, using, and conserving forests and associated resources in a sustainable manner to meet desired goals, needs, and values for human benefit. Forestry is practiced in plantations and natural stands...
sector.
He was born in Christiania
Oslo
Oslo is a municipality, as well as the capital and most populous city in Norway. As a municipality , it was established on 1 January 1838. Founded around 1048 by King Harald III of Norway, the city was largely destroyed by fire in 1624. The city was moved under the reign of Denmark–Norway's King...
as the son of landowner Haaken C. Mathiesen
Haaken C. Mathiesen
Haaken Christian Mathiesen was a Norwegian landowner and businessperson in the forestry sector.-Personal life:...
(1827–1913) and his wife Anna Sophie Josephine Larpent (1833–1863). He was a brother of politician Christian Pierre Mathiesen
Christian Pierre Mathiesen
Christian Pierre Mathiesen was a Norwegian landowner and politician for the Conservative Party.He was born in Kristiania as the youngest son of landowner and industrialist Haaken C. Mathiesen. He finished his secondary education in 1888, graduated from the agricultural school at Sem in 1890 and...
, nephew of art collector Sophus Larpent, and a great-grandson of Haagen Mathiesen
Haagen Mathiesen
Haagen Mathiesen was a Norwegian timber merchant, ship-owner and politician.He was born in Christiania as the son of timber merchant and judge Jørgen Mathiesen and his wife Karen Haagensdatter Nielsen . He graduated from Christiania Cathedral School in 1776 and then from the University of...
.
His family owned the manor Linderud
Linderud
Linderud is a neighborhood in Bjerke borough, Oslo, Norway. The area originally formed part of the estate of Linderud Manor.-Linderud Manor:...
as well as large forests in Eidsvoll
Eidsvoll
is a municipality in Akershus county, Norway. It is part of the Romerike traditional region. The administrative centre of the municipality is the village of Sundet.-Name:...
and Hurdal
Hurdal
Hurdal is a municipality in Akershus county, Norway. It is part of the traditional region of Romerike. The administrative centre of the municipality is the village of Hurdal....
. Mathiesen intended to become a military officer, but as his older brother died in 1875, it fell upon him to inherit the family company. After a period of education, his first foray into business was the foundation of the company Nilsen, Mathiesen & Co. in Fredrikstad in 1883, together with Anthon B. Nilsen
Anthon B. Nilsen
Anthon Bernhard Elias Nilsen was a Norwegian businessman and politician for the Conservative Party. He also wrote novels, under the pseudonym Elias Kræmmer....
. The company was dissolved in 1893, though a small remnant existed, managed by Haaken Mathiesen's younger half-brother Arthur. In the same year, Haaken Mathiesen joined forces with his father and bought Eidsvold Værk, creating the company Mathiesen Eidsvold Værk
Mathiesen Eidsvold Værk
Mathiesen Eidsvold Værk ANS is a Norwegian industrial company, owned by the Mathiesen industrial family, and historically one of the largest timber companies of Norway, and arguably Europe....
which still exists today. He was the sole owner from 1895, and under his leadership the company ventured into the pulp and paper industry
Pulp and paper industry
The global pulp and paper industry is dominated by North American , northern European and East Asian countries...
. He was also among the founders of Orkla Gruber in 1904, and also invested in Sydvaranger
Sydvaranger
Sydvaranger was the company that operated the Bjørnevatn Mine in Kirkenes, Norway between the start in 1906 until 1996. Since then the company has mainly been concerned with cleaning up the industrial areas and business development...
and Store Norske Spitsbergen Kulkompani
Store Norske Spitsbergen Kulkompani
Store Norske Spitsbergen Kulkompani , or simply Store Norske, is a Norwegian coal mining company based on the Svalbard archipelago. It was formed in 1916, after a Norwegian purchase of the American Arctic Coal Company ....
.
He was a Commander, First Class of the Royal Norwegian Order of St. Olav and the Danish Order of the Dannebrog
Order of the Dannebrog
The Order of the Dannebrog is an Order of Denmark, instituted in 1671 by Christian V. It resulted from a move in 1660 to break the absolutism of the nobility. The Order was only to comprise 50 noble Knights in one class plus the Master of the Order, i.e. the Danish monarch, and his sons...
, as well as a Grand Officer of the Monegasque Order of St. Charles
Order of St. Charles
The Order of Saint-Charles is an order established in Monaco on 15 March 1858. This order rewards service to the State or Prince. It is awarded by the current Prince Albert II.- Knight Grand Cross :...
. He knew the Prince of Monaco
Prince of Monaco
The Reigning Prince or Princess of Monaco is the sovereign monarch and head of state of the Principality of Monaco. All Princes or Princesses thus far have taken the name of the House of Grimaldi, but have belonged to various other houses in male line...
from an investment venture in Portuguese East Africa
Portuguese East Africa
Mozambique or Portuguese East Africa was the common name by which the Portuguese Empire's territorial expansion in East Africa was known across different periods of time...
. Mathiesen was also a close friend of Crown Prince Gustaf of Sweden
Gustaf V of Sweden
Gustaf V was King of Sweden from 1907. He was the eldest son of King Oscar II of Sweden and Sophia of Nassau, a half-sister of Adolphe, Grand Duke of Luxembourg...
, but nonetheless supported the dissolution of the union between Norway and Sweden in 1905.
In January 1891 he married Erikka Cappelen
Cappelen (family)
Cappelen is the surname of a prominent Norwegian family of merchants, land owners, civil servants and politicians. In the 18th and 19th century, it was one of the so-called patrician families in Norway, i.e...
Kiær (1866–1929), a daughter of Anders Ferrand Kiær. Their son Jørgen Mathiesen
Jørgen Mathiesen
Jørgen Arthur Mathiesen was a Norwegian landowner and businessperson in the forestry sector.He was born in Eidsvoll as the son of landowner Haaken L. Mathiesen and his wife Erikka Kiær . His maternal grandfather was Anders Ferrand Kiær, and his paternal grandfather was Haaken C. Mathiesen...
inherited the family business, starting as a manager in the 1920s. He had to cope with debt problems, which came to be as a part of the general economic hardships of the World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
and the interwar period
Interwar period
Interwar period can refer to any period between two wars. The Interbellum is understood to be the period between the end of the Great War or First World War and the beginning of the Second World War in Europe....
. Haaken Mathiesen died in October 1930 in Eidsvoll
Eidsvoll
is a municipality in Akershus county, Norway. It is part of the Romerike traditional region. The administrative centre of the municipality is the village of Sundet.-Name:...
. His son became the sole company owner, managed to survive economically and passed the company down to his son in the 1950s.