• George initially traveled to the Salt Lake Valley in the Abraham O. Smoot - Samuel Russell Company in 1847. However, he later participated as one of the rescuers that were sent out in the winter of 1856 to assist the members of the Church stranded in Wyoming.

  Death date is confirmed by his death certificate. 

Abraham O. Smoot/Samuel Russell Company (1847)

• Age at Departure: 19

Rescue Companies (1856)

• Age at Departure: 28

Sources

• 1850 Utah Census.
• Book of the Pioneers, 1:15.
• Geo. B. Matson in The Book of the Pioneers Volume 2 (Utah Semi-Centennial Commission, 1897), 28.
• "He is a Pioneer," Deseret Evening News , 1 June 1897, 8.
• “Pioneer of '47.  Father Matson of Springville Pays His Annual Call to the 'News.'” Deseret News, 24 June 1904, 1.
• "Pioneer of 1847 Called By Death," Deseret Evening News , 26 Dec. 1912, 8.
• "Pioneer of 1847 Called to Reward," Salt Lake Herald, 26 Dec. 1912, 6.
• Utah Death Certificates.