snowmobile pioneer dies
Amsnow
Abe W. Mathews, Sr., of Hibbing, Minn., died Wed., March 12, 2008, at 88 years of age following pneumonia.
Abe W. Mathews Engineering Co. of Hibbing produced Trailmaker snowmobiles, invented by John Howes, from 1962 to 1965. Rights were then sold to Boatel Co. of Mora, Minn., where Trailmaker and Bulldog models were made until 1967.
The unique Trailmaker ran on pneumatic tires within the track, equally at home on snow or muskeg. Available attachments included a wheel kit, blade, gun rack and auger, with reverse standard.
Abe was an avid outdoorsman and a man of many talents. He received the Allan Hetteen Memorial Award of Merit from the International Snowmobile Hall of Fame in 2006.
-Thanks to Steve Pierce and Dave Johnson