Matias Jorquera
ChileBiography of Matias Cousiño
Matias Cousiño was a Chilean businessman, coal magnate, and head of the famous and wealthy Cousiño family. He was born in Santiago, Chile, to Jose Agustin Cousiño Zapata and Josefa de Jorquera y Alfaro. He had a mixed heritage of Portuguese and Spanish blood.
During the War for Independence, Matias' family lost everything they had acquired. At a young age, Matias had to start working. He worked for a while at the post office in Valparaiso, where his father was in charge. In 1828, Matias replaced his father as the head of the post office. During this period, Matias got married to Loreto Squella y Lopetegui, who unfortunately passed away while giving birth to their first son, Luis Cousiño Squella.
Matias also found time for education, although he did not achieve significant success academically. Despite this, he became a highly successful entrepreneur. In 1841, Matias married Luz Gallo Zavala, who already had two children. His authority and influence helped him build a successful political career, and he was elected to the Chamber of Deputies twice – representing Petorca from 1849 to 1852 and Quillota from 1852 to 1855. In 1855, Matias Cousiño became a senator. However, his life was cut short, and he passed away on March 21, 1863.
After leaving the post office, Matias engaged in the import of animals to Argentina. The success of this project allowed him to venture into various other endeavors, including silver mining in Copiapó. In the late 1840s, Matias Cousiño also started investing in mills, supplying flour and wheat along the Pacific coast.
Matias Cousiño achieved significant success in the mining industry as well. He invested in a silver mine in the Atacama Desert. His successful marriage also played a crucial role in expanding his wealth and holdings. In 1844, Matias and Rafael Torreblanca invented a new device for metal extraction, gaining exclusive rights to its use for ten years from the government.
