Haaken Christian Mathiesen (24 February 1827 – 10 September 1913) was a Norwegian landowner and businessperson in theforestry sector.
He was born onLinderud manor as the son of landowner Mogens Larsen Mathiesen (1799–1875) and his wife Johanne Hedevig Gløersen (1800–1885). He was a grandson ofHaagen Mathiesen and a great-grandson ofMogens Larsen Monsen, and a first cousin of the three siblingsDikka Møller,Herman Anker,Christian August Anker as well asSophus Larpent.[1]
Mathiesen was married twice. From September 1853 he was married to his first cousin—and Sophus Larpent's sister—Anna Sophie Josephine Larpent, but she died in February 1863. He then married another sister, Louise Julie Jeanette Larpent, in March 1866. She died in October 1875. By his first wife he had the sonHaaken L. Mathiesen.[1]
Mathiesen was born into a family of landed proprietors. In the early nineteenth century, they expanded from their base at Linderud, buying large forests inEidsvoll andHurdal.[2] His grandfather died in 1842, and as his father retreated from the family company already in 1849, Haaken C. Mathiesen became a co-owner in the companyTostrup & Mathiesen together with managerChristopher Henrik Holfeldt Tostrup. By that time he had taken a few years of education abroad.[1]
The timber industry was booming at the time, and the opening of theMain Line in 1854 provided for transport toChristiania. Mathiesen was especially interested in the growingpulp industry. He cooperated with his cousin Christian Anker, and invested inUnion nearSkien as well as several other ventures. The Tostrup family left the company in 1892, and whenEidsvold Værk was bought in 1893,[1] the companyMathiesen Eidsvold Værk was shaped.[3]
His son Haaken L. Mathiesen became the sole company owner in 1895,[3] and in 1930 his sonJørgen Mathiesen became sole owner.[4] For his efforts Haaken C. Mathiesen was decorated as a Knight, First Class of theRoyal Norwegian Order of St. Olav and a Commander of the DanishOrder of the Dannebrog. He died at Linderud manor, which he owned between 1875 and 1891 (selling it to his youngest sonChristian Pierre Mathiesen), in September 1913.[1]