William Grant "Bill" Matson was born April 19,
1896 in Ottawa Illinois, the youngest child of
William Nehemiah Matson and Clara Mae (Grant)
Matson. In 1906 he came to Canada with his
parents and two brothers, George and Roy. On
arriving in Canada they lived in several different
areas in Southern Alberta.

Phyllis Irene Nielson was born July 6, 1897 in
Cardston Alberta, one of nine children of Olaf
and Christina Nielson. Phyllis grew up and
received her education in Cardston.

In 1916 or 1917 Bill rented farm land in Spring
Coulee and began farming on his own at a
young age. About this same time Phyllis was
working for a Mrs. Kelley in Spring Coulee and
that's when Bill and Phyllis met. They were married
April 24 ,1918 in Cardston. They continued living
and farming in Spring Coulee until 1924, by that
time they had bought land in Raley. This land had
no buildings on it so Bill made a small makeshift
house 16 x 16 and moved the family into that while
he along with his father and father-in-law began
building a home. After about a year the family moved
into their new three bedroom home.

Farming in those days was a lot of many long hours
and of hard work every day and Bill and Phyllis both
worked steady for many years building their farm
into a well established place. They drilled a well
on land close to the buildings and a windmill
pumped water for livestock and into the house so
that made work inside and outside a bit easier. In
1927 Bill was able to purchase his first farm tractor
and a threshing machine. That was a big
achievement and a great help in maintaining
the farm land. Every year after harvest, grain
was hauled to Raley Hutterite Colony to be
milled into flour, usually a years supply Coal had
to be brought from a mine north of Magrath, with a
little luck they were able to make the trip in two days.
Shelves in the store room were filled with canned
vegetables and fruit and preserves, enough to last
through the long winter months.

In 1935 they purchased a combine, another big
advancement in farming. By 1939 a windcharger
was installed on the farm, this charged batteries
and provided electricity to the house and a
pressure pump allowed running water and hot water
taps too. What a great help that was for Phyllis.

Bill was very active in community affairs. He served
on the St. Mary's School Board for ten years as a
trustee and later as chairman. He also served on
the Cardston Municipal Hospital Board for nine years.
He was a life member of the Lions Club and held
various positions during his active years, also a
member of the Masonic Lodge and a Shriner.

Phyllis was a lovely homemaker. She took great
pride in making quilts and crocheting as well as
other hand work.

In 1964 they sold their farm and moved to
Lethbridge where they continued to live until
their passing.

They had two children, one son and one daughter.

Bill and Phyllis were prominent farmers and honest
caring people who loved life and lived it to the fullest.
They loved to travel and drove across Canada
and much of the U.S.A.. They loved Alaska for its
beauty and enjoyed Australia and New Zealand
as well as many places in Europe.

Bill died August 29 1984 at age 88.

Phyllis died January 24 1988 at age 90.

Return Pioneer Histories