Frederick William Matthiessen (March 5, 1835 – February 11, 1918) was a philanthropist, industrialist, and mayor of LaSalle, Illinois.

[4] After investigating several sites in the Northeast and Midwest of the country, they decided to set up their smelter on the banks of the Little Vermilion River, in LaSalle, IL.

By 1862, a burgeoning arms industry injected much-needed business, greatly driving up demand for zinc products.

Matthiessen would later add rolling mills, coal mines, machine shops, and the forerunner of Westclox to his diverse portfolio.

[7] Matthiessen donated approximately $500,000 to various causes, such as LaSalle-Peru High School[8] and Illinois Valley Community Hospital.