Alfred Henry Matthiessen son of Alfred John and Lillie Cora Matthiessen, was born at Central City, in the Black Hills of South Dakota, on August 29th, 1895. The father died when his son was but eleven years of age, but the boy was given all the advantages of an education in the public school at Central City, in the high school at Deadwood, and later in Omaha, Nebraska, where he took a course in automobile engineering. For this latter training he received the diploma of the National Automobile Training Association.

In May, 1912, he returned to the Black Hills to accept a position in the electrical department of the Homestake Gold Mining Company. He remained with them a year and a half, then gave up his place to come to Nevada where he was to work on the Elmore property at Jarbidge, Elko County. After a time operation on the Elmore ceased, and Alfred then went over to the Elkoro Mines Company. In June, 1917, he paid a visit to the Black Hills, but upon his return to this state, went to Sparks in Washoe County, and entered the employ of the Southern Pacific Railroad Company. He remained with the latter company until the time of his enlistment in the United States Naval Reserve Force (September 25, 1917).

On November 3d of the same year he reported for duty at the Naval Training Station, San Diego, California. He served there in the capacity of Ship’s Cook, First Class, until the following winter, when he contracted influenza, to the effects of which he succumbed on the 29th of October, 1918. His body was taken to Twin Falls, Idaho, where in the presence of those to whom he was most dear, it was lowered into its last earthly resting place with all appropriate military ceremonies. Those who survive this heroic sailor are his mother, Mrs. Lillie Cora Simonson, Jarbidge, Nevada; his brother, R. Harold Matthiessen, Jarbidge; and his sister, Mabel Helen Matthiessen, 1036 G. Street, San Diego, California.