According to Planers, Matchers and Molders in America, this company was founded in 1902 by Chris Mattison. According to their trademark filing, the company dates back to 1900.

From January 1907 Canada Lumberman and Woodworker

This company, or divisions thereof, also operated as C. Mattison Machine Works, Mattison Machine Co., Mattison Woodworking Machine Co., and Mattison Technologies.

Operations moved from Beloit to Rockford in 1918. Planers, Matchers and Molders in America says, "Mattison machines have always been noted for their solid construction, the high quality of their castings, and the precision of their machining."

Past operators of the Mattison 202 glue-line ripsaw tend to get a little misty-eyed about that machine, and they claim it to be the best of its kind, ever.

Bourn & Koch, Inc. is now the OEM for the Mattison machinery You can link to their website at the Bourn & Koch web site.

Information Sources

• According to Wood Working Digest 1955-56 Directory, a Mattison universal turning and variety machine was patented in 1897.
• A 1920 ad in The Wood-Worker shows Mattison Machine Works' chain-feed ripsaw.
• A correspondent reports, "Mattison Machine Works was two companies in one: Mattison Surface Grinders and Mattison Woodworking Machinery Co. Mattison was bought by DeVlieg Bullard II, Inc. They are still in Rockford, IL, and still supply OEM parts and service for the machines. They can be seen at the DeVlieg Bullard web site."
• As-of sometime in 2011, those divisions DeVlieg Bullard II, Inc. were bought out by Bourn & Koch, Inc., also a Rockford, Illinois based company, as part of a bankruptcy proceeding. The purchase included the Mattison name and line. It is reported that OEM parts for Mattison machines can still be obtained from B&K. Our thanks to Heath Alberts for bringing this update to our attention.
  

Serial Number Information

The following serial number information was discovered for Mattison Machine Works in a untitled and undated document:

Mattison used a sequential numbering system.  However, the number shown for a year is the last known number researched for the given year.