Note: The Icon acquired a manuscript titled “A Brief History of Bluffton’s Industrial Developments.” This publication was prepared by the classes in Marketing and Small Business Administration from Bluffton College, under the director of Dr. Howard Raid. Publication date is May 1959. We’ve updated some current addresses so viewers may identify locations.
Mathewson Welding Shop
Taken over in 1940 by Dana Mathewson
As a boy, Dana Mathewson watched his father do a lot of welding and as he grew older he became interested in the business.
About 18 years ago he took over the work at home and later relocated at the corner of Spring and Riley streets because he needed more space and better facilities.
The land was purchased at a low price for it was low land, and after filling it in, he erected a fair-size building, doing most of the work himself.
The type of welding done was custom, repairing and building things people wanted. Then, about seven years ago he got new, profitable idea. A man from a TV testing laboratory in Lima wanted something to boost the TV aerial higher in the air, for a better reception.
Mathewson designed a three-corner, sturdy, tall tower, which had has made ever since.
He now sells an average of two a day. The demand for the TV tower, he noted, is somewhat seasonal.
“In the fall,” he said, “people get out to watch football and in mild spring weather people will get out more instead of watching TV.” However, he said that this spring the demand has stayed high.
Besides making the towers, Mathewson still does a lot of customer welding and employs one steady and three part-time employees. He is busy all the time and works from about 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily.
Mathewson cited that he felt the success of the business is due to the fact that more people need welding repairs and things they want made.
He also felt that the shop has always tried to meet all needs of the customers and has tried to satisfy their welding needs with good work.
Reference: Dana Mathewson
Interviewers: Gary Yoder and James Mohr
