Background
Asa Martines Mattice was the son of Frederick Martines Mattice and Melissa (Driggs) Mattice. He was born on August 1, 1853 in Buffalo, N. Y.
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Asa Martines Mattice
Edit ProfileEducation
Mattice received his preliminary education in the public schools of that city. In 1874, at the head of his class, he graduated from the separate course for engineers at the United States Naval Academy.
Career
He was assigned to sea service as cadet engineer and assistant engineer (February 26, 1875) on the Brooklyn, Vandalia, and Trenton until 1879. He was then instructor in engineering at the Naval Academy, 1879-82, and with John C. Kafer developed a course in mechanical drawing which was one of the best in the country. Sea service (1882 - 85) on the Miantonomoh and the Juniata followed. While on the Juniata he was engaged in relief work (August 1883) following the eruption of Krakatoa in the Strait of Sunda. Assigned then to the Bureau of Steam Engineering, he performed special duty with Chief Engineer George W. Melville in designing machinery for new vessels. When Melville became engineer in chief of the Navy, Mattice was made chief designer, in which capacity he was responsible for some excellent work, including the machinery of the original Maine, blown up in Havana Harbor in 1898. The specifications for this machinery were the most complete ever prepared up to that time and served as a model for many years. Granted leave of absence in 1889, he became principal assistant to E. D. Leavitt, a prominent consulting engineer, and on June 30, 1890, resigned from the Navy. During the next ten years he designed engines and other machinery for the Calumet & Hecla Mining Company, the Bethlehem Steel Company, Pope Tube Company, and various other concerns. The machinery for the Calumet & Hecla Mining Company has received especial commendation from competent judges. After leaving Leavitt, Mattice conducted an office of his own for about a year and then became chief engineer of the Westinghouse Electric and Manufacturing Company, and three years later, of the Westinghouse Machine Company. At the invitation of B. H. Warren, an old friend and classmate, who had become president of the Allis-Chalmers Company, he joined that concern in 1904 as chief engineer and manager of manufacturing. In 1906, he formed a partnership for consulting practice with John C. Kafer and Warren; but after the death of both partners that same year he closed the office and became works manager of the Walworth Manufacturing Company of Boston. In 1911 he resigned this position to retire from active business. Purchasing a farm in Lockport, N. Y. , he began to raise poultry and fruit. At the Westinghouse and Allis-Chalmers plants, however, he had formed a warm friendship with Charles C. Tyler who later became vice-president of the Remington Arms Company, and with the great expansion of that organization during the World War, Tyler persuaded Mattice to resume active work as its advisory engineer. He took up the new duties in 1915 and continued with the Remington company until his death, which occurred at the Engineers' Club, New York, ten years later.
Achievements
Personality
Mattice's mind worked with great quickness and accuracy; his information was encyclopedic as to scope and readiness. With all his ability he was very modest and willing to receive suggestions. He was also very practical, and it was his habit, with important designs, to have the work of the drawing office examined and criticized by the shop foremen who would later be responsible for the actual work of construction. This practice resulted often in suggestions for changes which would expedite and reduce the cost of the work. Mattice was inclined to be retiring, especially in his last years, but was by nature affectionate and devoted to his intimate friends. His naval service came before the era of good feeling, when there was strife between the line and the staff. His prominence in the engineer corps made him active in this controversy, but he was universally respected and had many warm friends in the line.
Connections
He was never married.
