Nelson F. Mathias was initiated into I.A.T.S.E. Local 80 on January 18,
1936. Nels was the first born of four children. He was raised on his
parents farm in Shadeville, Ohio. He quit school when he was 12 years
old to help support the family. At 16 years of age he learned
construction, working for his Grandfather. He arrived in California in
1927. His construction background made him an asset when he got a job
with Mascot Productions at the Republic Pictures lot in 1935. He worked
on the Republic Pictures lot for 32 years retiring in 1967.
