These stories can also be heard on Sunday mornings around 10 am on WILD 102’s “Look Back in Time” program. Each week’s radio story will be posted here on our website.
Weekly radio stories are researched, compiled, and read by Sheila Winstead, RCHS Board Member.
May 25, 2025
Tomorrow is Memorial Day. I’ll tell you about the two Roseau County veterans honored by having their
names attached to the American Legion Posts in Warroad and Roseau.
Today’s first story is about Andrew O. Mattson. His nephew, Les Mattson, contributed the photo used in
the Book of Honor, compiled by the Veterans Memorial Park Committee in 1992.
Andrew Olaf Mattson was born in Jemtland, Sweden, and was 27 years old. He came to this country with
his parents at an early age and lived with his parents at Swift until called into the war, in one of the first
contingents. Andrew’s parents were advised in October, 1918, that their son was wounded. In October,
1919, they received information which was reported in the Warroad Pioneer with this caption.
ANDREW OLAF MATTSON FELL IN BATTLE
The doubt which has existed as to the fate of Andrew Olaf Mattson, soldier, son of Mr. and Mrs. Erick
Mattson, of Swift, came to an end this week when Mr. Mattson, received from the government eleven
months payment on his policy of $10,000 together with the information that he had been killed in battle
at some time between October 1 st and October 12 th , 1918. The exact date and place seems to be
unknown, but the dates coincide with the beginning of the big drive of the American army into the
Argonne Forest, where the casualties were very heavy.
He was reported as missing, and until the prisoners taken by the Germans had all been checked over,
there was hope that he might be still among the living…
On October 23, 1919, membership of American Legion Post at Warroad, promptly decided to name the
post the Andrew Olaf Mattson Post in honor of the local soldier who lost his life in battle.
The American Legion Post in Roseau was named for Kaleb E. Lindquist, another serviceman who lost his
life in the same war. His story in the Veterans Book of Honor had contributions from nephews Steve and
Paul Lindquist from Hacienda Heights, California, as well as from the Times-Region. Here is his story:
Kaleb Emanuel Lindquist, born in Orebo, Sweden on July 23, 1893, came to the United States in the
spring of 1913. He located in Roseau with a brother who had come earlier. Kaleb was a quiet, well liked
young man who counted everyone his friend. He learned to speak English on the job but never lost his
thick Scandinavian brogue. He walked with a distinct lumbering gait. Prior to coming to America he had
served in the Swedish Army. He never married.
When the United States declared its stance in the first World War, Kaleb was not a citizen, the war was
not his. He could have declared himself ineligible for the U. S. Military, but his friends were being called
up and he wanted to be with them. He also felt a responsibility to do his share as a future citizen of this
great land. Therefore, Kaleb volunteered at the height of the need for men.
Because of urgent need for immediate replacements in Europe, due to many casualties and injuries,
Kaleb was given a short basic training course and sent directly to France without furlough. He was killed
in action shortly after his arrival.
Kaleb’s brother in Roseau, concerned with the lack of news from his brother, contacted his Congressman
by telegram to see if he could find any information about Kaleb. In response, a cablegram from a field
location in France to Congressman Halvor Steenerson, M. C., Washington, reported the following:
“Private Kaleb E. Lindquist, Company K, 139 th Infantry, reported by company commander as slightly
wounded October 8 th . No further report received until Graves Registration Service reported him buried
Cemetery 1009 grave 11 plot 1 American battle area, Cemetery Baulny Department Meuce. Every effort
being made to ascertain full particulars” –Pershing
In 1918 the Governor of Minnesota posthumously awarded Kaleb a plaque and commendation for his
selfless service as a volunteer in the fight against world domination by dictatorial powers.
In 1921 Kaleb’s body was returned to the United States for burial with full military honors at Hope
Cemetery in Roseau. He was survived by one brother in Roseau and four in Sweden.
When the American Legion was chartered in Roseau shortly after the First World War, many families
who had lost sons in the war asked to have them considered for the name of the Post. The charter
members chose “Kaleb E. Lindquist” as the name for their post because they felt he best described the
character of those who seek freedom even at the cost of their lives.
Thank you to 
for letting us share our county’s history with your listeners by donating air time, studio time, and production staff every week.