History of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan

Houghton County 

Source: History of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan: containing a full account of its early settlement, its growth, development, and resources, an extended description of its iron and copper mines : also, accurate sketches of its counties, cities, towns, and villages ... biographical sketches, portraits of prominent men and early settlers. Publication Info: Chicago : Western Historical Co., 1883. Pages 316-320.

HAMLETS OF THE COUNTY.

At all the olden mines in Houghton County, little hamlets or embryo villages have grown up about their "plants," in which are always a store and boarding house, including the "ardent," and usually a school, church or two, and sometimes a post office.

At Osceola Mine is a well-stocked store, started in July, 1882, by Vivian & Haun.

A school was also established in 1874, in District No. 2, Calumet Township. The same year, a neat frame schoolhouse was erected. The attendance of pupils is about two hundred, with three teachers, Mr. Stockly being the Principal.

The Methodist Episcopal society was organized here in 1875, with a fair membership, who, in 1881, built a neat and commodious church edifice, costing $2,500. The pulpit is as yet supplied by clergymen from Calumet and other points.

In August, 1882, a post office was established, called Opechee, after the mine of that name, with Frank Haun as Postmaster, and is kept in the store of Vivian & Haun.

The population of Osceola Hamlet is about twelve hundred, of various nationalities, all industrious and good citizens.

FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

JAMES R. COOPER, P. O. Houghton, Lake Superior, agent and superintendent of the Lake Superior & Detroit Copper Company, having the general management of the works both at Detroit and Portage Lake. The two establishments have a joint capacity of 38,000 tons of refined copper annually. Mr. Cooper was born in Monroe County, N. Y., October 6, 1829. His family moved to Oakland County, Mich., when he was four years of age; he was brought up on a farm, where he learned to work and to rely on himself. When twenty-one years of age, he entered the employ of this company, working at furnace work at the Detroit works. This was in 1851, or thirty-one years ago. Since that time to this date, Mr. Cooper has been constantly in the employ of this company; he started at the bottom of the ladder and has worked his way up to the responsible position of superintendent and general manager of the immense works of this company, both at Detroit and Lake Superior. This promotion has been the result of his earnest determination to perfect himself in all the details of the business. Beginning as a laborer at the furnace, he cheerfully performed his task through all the departments of the works where only duty called him, until he acquired the knowledge he desired; it is said of Mr. Cooper there is nothing about the works that he orders done that he could not do himself, and that better than most men will do it; his thorough knowledge of his business was recognized by the company, and he was promoted to a foremanship in the old works at Detroit. On the construction of the works on Portage Lake, he was assigned to the position of superintendent. In 1873, on the death of Mr. Grout, the general superintendent at Detroit, he succeeded to his office (in February, 1882), and now has the supervision of both establishments. The successful discharge of the duties devolving upon him in his former position is a guarantee of the future that the same ability and fidelity will serve him in his present responsible position. Mr. Cooper was married at Birmingham, Oakland Co., Mich., in February, 1855, to Miss Mary E. Jenks. They have a son and a daughter—James B. and Gracie M. Mrs. Cooper died January 12, 1872, at Detroit. The son James is with his father at the Lake Superior works, going through the routine of the business. Mr. Cooper was married again March 3, 1878, at Detroit, to Miss V. I. Chidsey. They have one child, an infant son—Claudius H.

ALEXANDER CRAIG, Superintendent of the Pewabic Stamp Mill, P. O. Houghton; born in Scotland July 24, 1850; he came to America when three years of age, with his parents, who settled in Canada. In the fall of 1865, he came to Portage Lake, Houghton Co., Mich., and engaged as engineer at the stamp mill of the Franklin Copper Mining Company; excepting two years spent with the Atlantic Stamp Mill, he has continued in the employ of that company till 1881. Since 1881, he has been Superintendent of the Pewabic Stamp Mill; he was married in Franklin, September 6, 1876, to Miss Martha, daughter of Leonard Langdon. They have two daughters and one son.

THOMAS DAVEY, foreman copper washer at the Franklin Stamp Mill, was born in Cornwall, Eng., November 10, 1822; when twelve years of age, he began work as a copper washer at the Cornwall Copper Mines, and has now had fifty years' experience in that line; he came to America in 1847, and, June 10 of that year, entered the service of the Quebec Mining Company, operating on the north shore of Lake Superior, in Canada, November 21, 1849, the party was driven away from their works by the Indians, who claimed that the whites were trespassing on their lands. The mines were located in the heart of the great wilderness, and were operated in a crude manner and under very romantic circumstances, surrounded as they were by hostile savages. On the breaking-up of the party, he went to Sault Ste. Marie, and from there to Buffalo on the old steamer Ben Franklin. In June, 1851, he returned to Canada, and was employed at the Brace Mine two years; he then came to Keweenaw Point, Lake Superior, in 1853, and engaged with the Cliff Mining Company, working under ground that winter; he was next engaged in the erection of the stamp mill at Copper Falls, remaining there until April, 1857; he then engaged at the South Cliff Mine under Capt. Joseph Paull; he operated for this company three years, and then returned to the Cliff Mine to take charge of the washing department. In 1864, he came to Houghton, and took charge of the Huron Stamp Mill; two years later, he entered the service of the Isle Royal Mining Company, and subsequently took charge of the new stamp mill for the same company, down the lake; he operated at this place two years, and then engaged at the South Pewabic Mill, and continued until the work was suspended; he then spent three years in the employ of the First National Bank, Houghton. In 1874, he was employed by the Franklin Mining Company as foreman copper washer, and has continued with this company to this date, 1882. He was married at Sault Ste. Marie October 16, 1848, to Miss Elizabeth Green, of Halifax, Nova Scotia. They have five children living—two sons and three daughters.

CAPT. THOMAS DENNIS, of Franklin Mine, P. O. Hancock, was born in Cornwall, Eng., Feb. 9,1841; when ten years of age, he began working in and about the mines of Cornwall, and grew up in the business. In 1862, he emigrated to America, and located in Carroll County, Md., where he was employed about a year in the Springfield Mine. In 1863, he came to Lake Superior, and entered the service of the Pewabic Mine, near Portage Lake, and continued with that company till 1876, when he changed to the Quincy Mine, where he was Assistant Captain till 1879, when he accepted his present position of Captain at the Franklin Mine; he returned to England in 1864, and was married July 4, of that year, to Miss Elizabeth A., daughter of John Martin. Mrs. Dennis was born in Cornwall. They have two daughters and three sons.

WILLIAM DUGDALE, master mechanic of Portage Lake Iron Works, P. O. Hancock; born in Leeds, Eng., June 15, 1844; was apprenticed and served his time to the machinist's trade, and later worked as a journeyman till 1869; he then emigrated to America, coming direct to Hancock, Lake Superior, Mich.; he spent one year in the Quincy Stamp Mill, and then commenced with Mr. Sheldon in the Portage Lake Iron Works; with the exception of two years, he has worked continuously with this establishment; he has held the position of master mechanic since 1880. Mr. Dugdale was married in England in 1867, to Miss Hannah M. Milner, daughter of John Milner. They have three sons and three daughters.

CAPT. JOSIAH HALL, of the Pewabic Mine, P. O. Hancock; born in Cornwall. Eng.; was engaged in mining in his native country, till 1851, when he came to this country; he located at the Cliff Copper Mine, Houghton, now Keweenaw County; he engaged with the Pittsburgh & Boston Mining Company, as a miner; was next employed as timber man, and subsequently as pitman; was appointed mining captain in 1860; continued in the service of that company twenty-three years; he next went to Wisconsin with Dr. C. G. Hussey, and was employed in that State ten years; he returned to Lake Superior in 1880, and accepted his present position of captain of the Pewabic Mine. Capt. Hall was married in England in 1851, to Miss Fannie, daughter of William and Fannie Grose. Mrs. Hall was born in England. They have had eleven children—nine sons and two daughters, all of whom are living. Capt. Hall was the inventor of the Dumping Skip, now in general use in elevating ore; he first introduced it at the North American Mine

AUGUST HEIMBACH, superintendent of the Franklin Stamp Mill, P. O. Houghton, was born in Prussia October 16, 1838; he emigrated to America with his parents in 1847, and settled at Detroit, Mich.; he was brought up in that city; spent several years in traveling, and finally, in 1861, came to Houghton, Lake Superior, Mich., and engaged as machinist of the Franklin Stamp Mill; he remained with that company two years; then took charge of the Grand Portage Stamp Mill; operated that mill three years; he was next employed in putting up the first engine of the South Pewabic Stamp Mill, now the Atlantic; then employed as foreman of the Portage Lake foundry and machine shop one year; he was next in charge of the Franklin Stamp Mill till work was suspended; he then designed and erected the stamp mill of the Allouez Mine, and put up the machinery; was there eighteen months; he then returned to the Franklin Mill, refitted and improved it, and has been in charge ever since, from 1875 to 1882. (See History of the Franklin Mining Company.) He was married at Romeo, Mich., June 25, 1864, to Miss Margaret Lyons, daughter of Joseph Lyons. They have four sons and one daughter.

ARNO JAEHNIG, chief clerk of the Franklin Copper Mining Company, P. O. Hancock, was born in Saxony, Germany, April 23; 1844; he came to America with his parents when six years of age. The family first settled in Sheboygan County, Wis., but only remained there one year, and then moved to Lake Superior, making their home at Ontonagon, Mich., in 1851. Arno passed his boyhood days in that little hamlet in the wilderness. When of suitable age, he learned the tinner's trade, and in October, 1862, when in his eighteenth year, he enlisted as a private in Company A, Twenty-seventh Michigan Volunteer Infantry; he served in the ranks until disabled by a gunshot wound at the battle of Spottsylvania, May 12. 1864. On recovering from the wound, he was detailed as hospital clerk until the close of the war, having served in all nearly three years. On his return from the army, he worked at his trade at Ontonagon and Duluth, and for six years was foreman of a shop there. In 1875, he came to Franklin, and engaged with the Franklin Mining Company in his present position. He was married at Rockland, Ontonagon Co., Mich., in January, 1869, to Miss Adelaide, daughter of R. Loranger. Mrs. Jaehnig was born in Canada. They have two sons and four daughters. Mr. J. has served as Township Clerk three years and Supervisor two years.

MAURICE B. PATCH, mining engineer and chemist of the Detroit & Lake Superior Copper Company. P. O. Houghton. He has held the position of chemist of this company since 1874. He was born in Cumberland County, Me., June 8, 1852. He was educated at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology of Boston. and graduated in 1872. He then went to Georgetown, Colo., where he was employed as mining engineer. In 1874, he came to Houghton, Lake Superior, and accepted the position of chemist and assayist at the smelting works of the above company. Mr. Patch was married in Lowell, Mass., July 6, 1875, to Miss E. Isabella White, daughter of Rollin White. They have two daughters and one son.

CAPT. JOSEPH PAULL, wood contractor for the Franklin Mine, P. O. Hancock, was born in Cornwall, England, in December, 1822. He was brought up a miner, and came to America in 1844; spent a year in the lead mines of Illinois and Wisconsin. In 1845, he came to Lake Superior and engaged with the Boston Copper Mining Company. Two years later, he went to Pennsylvania, and was employed at the Great Western Iron Works till 1849; he then returned to Lake Superior in May of that year and engaged with the Northwest Mining Company, now the Delaware; was in charge of that mine one and a half years. From there, he went to the North American Mine as agent, and served in that capacity seven years. In 1858, he took charge of the Garden City Mine, and remained there two years. He then engaged in mercantile business, near the Cliff Mine, till February, 1869. For an interval of a few years following, he was not in active business. In 1876, he engaged with the Franklin Mining Company, and has been connected with this company since. At this writing, he is the wood and timber contractor; he was married at the Northwest Mine, in the spring of 1850, to Miss Mary H. Richards. This wedding was about the earliest known in this region. Nine children were born to them, of whom six are living—Mary H., Joseph, Sarah H., Elizabeth, William and Thomas. The eldest, Mary H., is the wife of Peter R. Gottstein, of Houghton. Sarah is the wife of David C. Smyth, of Minnesota, Elizabeth is Mrs. Harmon Heyn, of Ishpeming. Mr. Paull has never been an aspirant for office, but has served in various local offices.

EDWARD QUINLAN, engineer of the Pewabic Stamp Mill, P. O. Houghton, was born in Canada, January 9, 1857; he came to Portage Lake in 1861, and in 1869, began work with the Pewabic Mining Company; continued in the service of this company till 1878, when he went to the Black Hills, Dakota Territory, and engaged in gold mining till May, 1881, when he returned to Lake Superior and resumed work with the Pewabic Company. He has been running an engine some five or six years in all.

ISAAC M. RHODES, M. D., physician and surgeon to the Franklin and Peninsular mines, P. O. Hancock; has held this practice fourteen years; he was born at Cohocton, Steuben Co., N. Y., September 24,1830; he is the son of David A. Rhodes, and moved with his parents to Troy, Oakland Co., Mich., in 1831, and subsequently, when twenty years of age, to Pontiac; he was educated at the University of Michigan, graduating from the medical department in 1853; he subsequently took a course at the College of Physicians and Surgeons of New York City in 1868; he began practice in Pontiac, Mich., and in 1854 came to Ontonagon, Lake Superior, where he was physician and surgeon of the Norwich Mine two years, and also practiced one year at the village of Ontonagon; he then went to Keweenaw County; while there he served as physician and surgeon to the Copper Falls, Central and other mines; he next went to Eagle River and practiced at the mines in that neighborhood. In 1861, he went to Rockland, Ontonagon County, and from there to Maple Grove, where he served professionally for several mines about seven years; he went East in 1867, and took a course at the College of Physicians and Surgeons of New York City in the winter of 1867-68; he then returned to Lake Superior to accept the position of physician and surgeon at the Franklin Mine; in addition to the Franklin, he has served in the same capacity until recently for the Pewabic Mine Dr. Rhodes has achieved quite a reputation as an inventor, having a passion for mechanical inventions; he has devoted his spare hours from the practice of his profession to his favorite occupation. One of the most important results of his efforts in that direction is an improved surgical chair and splint, for which he received the first premium at the Centennial Exposition of the United States at Philadelphia in 1876. This chair and splint has received the highest commendation of the medical celebrities of this country. Dr. Rhodes was married at Pontiac, Mich., October 23, 1856, to Miss Lucy M. Sprague, daughter of Silas Sprague. She was born in Troy, Oakland Co., Mich.

EMANUEL H. RICHARDS, machinist at the shops of the Franklin Mining Company, P. O. Hancock, was born in Cornwall, England, April 4, 1835; was employed at the mines in the vicinity of his home till 1860, when he emigrated to America; he came direct to Houghton County, Lake Superior, Mich., and engaged at the Humboldt Mine; a few months later, he changed to the Quincy Mine, where he worked one year; he also worked at the Copper Falls and Cliff Mines a year each; then at the Phoenix and (Albany & Boston) Mines as engineer and machinist; also at the Delaware, Copper Falls as machinist; next at the Portage Lake and Isle Royal Mines as engineer. In 1869, he began with the Franklin Mine as machinist, and has been employed in the shops of this company to this date, thirteen years, seven of which he has held the position of foreman.

LOUIS H. RICHARDSON, business manager of James H. Seager's store at Ripley, P. O. Houghton, was born in York, Me., September 30, 1849; he removed with his parents to Rhode Island when eight years of age; he received an academic education, and in 1872 came to Lake Superior; he located at L'Anse, Baraga Co., Mich., and seven years as a merchant's clerk with Mr. J. B. Smith; in 1879, he moved to Houghton, and from there to Ripley to take charge of the general store of Mr. James H. Seager. This is a branch store, the main establishment being situated at the Franklin Mine; this store was established in October, 1879, and carries an average stock of $15,000 value. Mr. Richardson was married in Rhode Island, June 20, 1876, to Miss Lillie P. Smith, daughter of Henry Smith, of Rhode Island. They have one child—Harrison H. Mr. Richardson has held various local offices; while at L'Anse, he served three years as Village Recorder, and while at Ripley, has served as Justice of the Peace, four years.

EDWARD TREVILLYAN, foreman copper washer of the Pewabic Stamp Mill, P. O. Houghton; born in Cornwall, Eng., Feb. 29, 1844; he came to America in 1863, and direct to the copper regions of Michigan; worked at the Central Mine one year, and at the Mine one year as copper washer; has since been employed in the same capacity at the Allouez and Atlantic Mines till 1880, when he accepted his present position at the Pewabic Stamp Mills; he has had nearly twenty years' experience as a copper washer in the Lake Superior Mills; he was married in England in 1865, to Miss Mary Butler, daughter of John Butler. They have four sons and two daughters.

PHILLIP TUCKER, copper washer at the Franklin Stamp Mill, working the tail-house on contract, P. O. Hancock; born in Cornwall, Eng., Feb. 26, 1836; he began work as a copper washer when a lad in his native country, and continued it constantly till in 1856, when he emigrated to America; on reaching this country he came direct to Lake Superior and engaged with the Minesota Copper Mining Company at Rockland, Ontonagon Co., Mich.; was there one year, and then changed to the Cliff Mine on Keweenaw Point; a year later, he engaged with the Quincy Mining Company. After one year, he went to the Huron Mine, and spent three years with that company; he was also employed one year at the Allouez Mine, and, for sixteen years he has been an employe of the Franklin Mine. Mr. Tucker has probably had as many years' experience as a copper washer in this region as any other man, and held the position of foreman in that department in various mines. He returned to England in 1864, and was married, June 11, 1866, to Miss Grace Jenkins, daughter of Henry Jenkins, and soon after returned to Lake Superior. They have three children—Phillip H., Richard F. and Grace J.

CAPT. JOHNSON VIVIAN, agent of the Franklin, Pewabic and Huron Mines, was born in England May 29, 1829; he commenced mining in 1845, and continued until 1853, when he emigrated to America and came directly to Eagle Harbor, Lake Superior, Mich., and engaged at once as a miner in the Copper Falls Mine, and worked as such until 1854, when he was appointed mining captain by the Hon. Samuel W. Hill, then agent of the mine; he served as captain under Mr. Hill until July, 1856, when he went to Copper Harbor to take charge of the Clark Mine, which was operated by a French company; remained with that company until February 1 of the following year, then returned to the Copper Falls Mine, and took a tribute lease of the Hill vein, which he worked until October 1, 1859; he then took charge of the Phoenix Mine, as chief mining captain, and held that position until October, 1863, when he was appointed superintendent of the mine, and held that position until February 1, 1867; he was then appointed agent of the Hancock Mine, and served as such till June 1, 1868, during which time the mine was worked with profit; he then took charge of the Schoolcraft Mine as superintendent; erected the mining machinery, and operated the mine until it was demonstrated that the vein would not pay, when it was abandoned; he left the employ of that company July 1, 1874, and was appointed agent of the Franklin and Pewabic Mines, which lie contiguous. These mines were in a very poor condition and working at a disadvantage when they came under the supervision of Capt. Vivian; his ripe experience and sound judgment dictated the necessary reforms, while his well-known executive ability and untiring energy carried his plans into effect. The mines and mills are now working successfully; the value of the stock has given a material rise in the market. The surface work presents a healthful and prosperous appearance; everything is orderly and neat. The tenant-houses for employees are being newly painted and improved, until the Franklin and Pewabic locations present a striking contrast to the woe-begone appearance of many other locations in the Upper Peninsula. In addition to his duties as agent of the above-mentioned mines, he in February, 1880, took charge of the Huron Mine, lying just south of Portage Lake; he has also had charge of the Concord and Mesnard Mines, which have been worked at intervals only.

WILLIAM WAGNER, foreman of the cupolas at the works of the Detroit & Lake Superior Copper Company, P. O. Hancock; has been in the employ of the company thirteen years; was born near Berlin, Prussia, October 7, 1839; he emigrated to America in 1854, and settled in Sheboygan County, Wis. In 1859, he came to Lake Superior, and engaged at the Franklin Mine as laborer two years; he was then placed in charge of the night shift four years; was then made captain and served in that capacity four years; he then went to Nevada; spent a few months in that State, and then returned to Lake Superior, and commenced work in the fall of 1869, with the Detroit & Lake Superior Copper Company, and has continued in the employ of that company to this date, 1882; has held his present position since 1860. Mr. Wagner was married in Franklin in 1862 to Miss Elizabeth Schirmack. Mrs. Wagner was born in Germany, and came to America in childhood; they have two sons—William and Henry.

QUINCY TOWNSHIP.

(P. O. Hancock.)
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

CAPT. JOHN CLIFF, of the Quincy Mining Company, was born in Cornwall, England, April 8, 1833, and came to America in 1854, and located at the Norwich Mine, Ontonagon County, Mich. He was employed at the Norwich and Minesota Mines two years, and then went to Bayfield, Lake Superior, where he was engaged in merchandising until 1858. The summer of 1858 he spent in exploring the Apostle Islands, and in the fall of that year he came to Portage Lake Mine, Houghton. In the spring of 1859, he commenced with the Quincy Mining Company under Capt. Hardy; was made Assistant Captain, and succeeded Capt. Hardy in 1864, since which time he has held his present position. Capt. Cliff has by his long experience and earnest application to his work won an honored place among the leading mining men of this region.

LUTHER G. EMERSON, civil and mining engineer of the Quincy, Franklin, Pewabic, Huron, Allouez, Phoenix, Copper Falls and other mines. The subject of this sketch has been a resident engineer of the Upper Peninsula since 1855. He was born at Marietta, Ohio, March 19, 1828, and was educated at Marietta College, where he took a thorough course in mathematics and civil engineering. He came to Lake Superior in 1855, and located in the Ontonagon District, and was the civil engineer of the mining interests of that region. He was employed as a mining engineer of the Minesota Mine from 1856 to 1867, during its best days; he has been from the earliest explorations identified with nearly all the mines of the copper region, and has done the most of the work in this line. He was assisted by his brother, G. D. Emerson, until 1861, when he entered the army, and is now Professor of Civil and Mining Engineering at Rolla, Mo., having left the lake in 1868. L. G. is now located at the Quincy Mine. He was a member of the Michigan Legislature of 1866 and 1867, and has served as County Surveyor of Houghton and Ontonagon Counties many years. He is beyond question the most experienced man in his profession in this region.

THOMAS FLANNER, M. D., physician and surgeon to the Quincy Mine, was born in Jefferson County, Ohio, January 15, 1831. He was educated at the University of Pennsylvania at Philadelphia, and at the Classical College of Ohio, graduating in 1851. He practiced one year in Ohio, and then came to Ontonagon, Lake Superior, in 1852, where he accepted the position of physician and surgeon at the Minesota Mine. He was connected with that mining company from 1853 to 1864. He then came to Quincy, Lake Superior, and served as physician and surgeon at the Quincy Mine till 1870. He next went to Missouri, and practiced at Springfield, returning to Lake Superior in July, 1881, and accepted his present position of physican and surgeon of the Quincy Mine. Dr. Flanner was one of the very earliest of the pioneer physicians of Lake Superior, and stands deservedly high in his profession.

D. KLOECKNER, chief clerk of the Quincy Mining Company, first came to Lake Superior in 1853, when only eight years of age; spent his boyhood in that region in the vicinity of the Minesota Mine, In 1865, went to Detroit, and took a regular course at the Bryant & Stratton's Commercial College. He returned to Lake Superior, and engaged with Mr. S. D. North, merchant, for several years at Rockland, and subsequently at Quincy. Since 1872, he has been chief clerk of the Quincy Mining Company. In 1875, he formed a partnership with Messrs. North & Gardner under the firm name of North, Kloeckner & Gardner, dealers in general merchandise at Calumet, Lake Superior, Mich. (See the sketch of the firm in the history of Calumet.)

FREDERICK LABRAM, head engineer of the Quincy Mine since March, 1864, was born in London, Eng., in 1830. He served a regular apprenticeship to the machinist's trade, and came to America in 1850, and worked at his trade in various places till 185? when he ran on the lakes as a marine engineer. From 1854 to 185? he ran an engine at the Norwich Mine, Ontonagon County, Mich.; then ran on the lakes till 1864, when he entered the service of the Quincy Mining Company, on Portage Lake, as engineer, and has served as head engineer with that company to this date. He was married at Detroit, in 1858, to Mrs. Anne Kelsal. They have a large family.

JOHN P. MASON, M. D., physician and surgeon of the Pewabic Mine, was born at Elmira, Chemung Co., N. Y., May 27, 1853. He was educated at Cornell University, and graduated in 1877. He studied medicine, and began practice as a licentiate at the Quincy Copper Mine, Lake Superior, in 1878; continued his practice there a year and a half; he then attended a second course of lectures at the Buffalo Medical College, and received his diploma in 1879. He then returned to Lake Superior, and accepted his present position on the Pewabic Mine in July, 1880.

DONALD McCALL, surface foreman of the Quincy Mine since 1869, was born in Scotland May 26, 1831; came to America in 1856, and located in Ontario, Canada, where he remained till 1859, when he came to Lake Superior and engaged with the Quincy Mining Company in June of that year. For several years he was assistant surface foreman under Capt. John Duncan. In 1869, on Capt. Duncan's removal to the Calumet & Hecla Mining Company, Mr. McCall was promoted to his present position. He is one of the oldest and most respected of the officers of the Quincy Mine. Mr. McCall was married in the fall of 1864, at the Quincy Mine, to Miss Mary McFarlane, daughter of John McFarlane. Mrs. McCall was born in Canada. They have two children, a son and a daughter—Martin and Mary A.

HON. SETH D. NORTH, merchant, business established at Quincy in 1866. The subject of this sketch was born in Middletown, Conn., April 9, 1823. He moved to Rockland, Ontonagon Co., Mich., in 1855, and engaged with the Minesota Copper Mining Company as commercial clerk till 1861, when he engaged in business for himself as a dealer in general merchandise. He continued in business at Rockland till 1866, when he removed to Quincy and engaged in his present business. Mr. North has a large and well-stocked store of general merchandise; his average stock being about $85,000. His son, George, is a partner in the business, which is conducted under the firm name of S. D. North & Son. Mr. North has served in the Michigan Legislature. He helped to organize the First National Bank of Hancock, and was elected its first President, and still holds that position. He is also a stockholder and Director of the Sturgeon River Lumber Company. He was married at Homer, N. Y. in 1846, to Miss Fannie Smith, daughter of Noah R. Smith. Mrs. North was born in New York. They have one child, a son, George S., now in partnership with his father.

PHILLIP SCHEUERMANN, Superintendent of the Quincy Stamp Mill and proprietor of the Union Brewery, town of Adams; he was born at Lohr-on-the-Main, in Bavaria, Germany, October, 1822. He served a regular apprenticeship to the carpenter and millwright trade, afterward working as a journeyman till 1850, when he emigrated to America and direct to Copper Falls, Lake Superior. He built the first copper mill of importance on Keweenaw Point. The mill was built for the Copper Falls Mining Company at Copper Falls, and had forty-eight stamp heads. Mr. Scheuermann remained in that section about five years. He then went to Missouri, and built and operated a saw-mill five years. He then returned to Lake Superior, and built the Quincy Stamp Mill on Portage Lake, near Hancock. This was in 1859 and 1860. Mr. S. was appointed Superintendent of the works on their completion, and has had charge of the mill continuously since, now twenty-two years. He purchased the Union Brewery, situated in the town of Adams and about two miles from Houghton. He rebuilt it in 1875, so that it now has a capacity of 5,000 barrels per year. Mr. S. operated it through employees. He was married at Copper Falls, in 1852, to Miss Agnes Niedermeyer. Five children were born to them—Lizzie, Kate, Rosa, Lena and Agnes. Mrs. S. was one of the victims of the ill-fated steamer Sunbeam, that foundered in Lake Superior August 28, 1863. Mr. S. was married, in the fall of 1868, at Hancock, to Anna Berger; five children were born to this marriage—Phillip, Frank, Josephine, Clara and Anna. Mr. S. has never been active in local politics. The only position of a public nature that he has filled is that of Superintendent of the Poor of Houghton County. He has filled that position in his district eight years, being the present incumbent.

CAPT. THOMAS WHITTLE, of the Pewabic Mine, was born in Cornwall, England, January 1, 1845; was employed in the tin and lead mines from his boyhood till 1872. He then went to South America; spent four years in copper mining in that country, and then returned to England. In 1877, he came to America, and direct to Lake Superior, and located at the Quincy Mine, where he was employed as timber foreman. In November, 1879, he was made Assistant Captain under Capt. John Cliff, and continued to serve in that capacity till July 1, 1882, when he was appointed Captain of the Pewabic Mine. He was married in England, in 1866, to Miss Jane Ennor, daughter of John Ennor. Mrs. Whittle was born in Cornwall. They have five children living, one son and four daughters.

ADAMS TOWNSHIP.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

ALFRED DAVID, M. D., physician and surgeon at the Atlantic Mine, P. O. Houghton, was born in Prince Edward County, Canada, February 23, 1847. He was educated at Queens University, Kingston, graduating in April, 1873; received the degree of M. D., and on September 7, 1874, graduated at the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario, at Toronto, Canada, and received the degree of M. C. P. S. O. He began the practice of medicine at Lambton, Lambton Co., Canada, and continued at that place two and a half years; from thence he went to Algonac, Mich., where he practiced five years; he accepted the position of physician and surgeon to the Atlantic Mine Company in 1879, and has since made that his home. His practice includes, besides the mine proper, a portion of the surrounding population of the mining location. Dr. David was married at Algonac, Mich., December 25, 1876, to Miss Jennie, daughter of Samuel Russel. Mrs. David was born at Algonac, Mich. They have an only daughter—Sarah Atlanta.

WILLIAM J. EVANS, Superintendent of the Atlantic Stamp Mills, P. O. Houghton, was born in Scotland, of Welsh and Scottish parentage, July 6, 1841. He was connected with iron mining in his native country in his early manhood. In 1863, he emigrated to America, and located at Copper Harbor, and engaged as engineer at the Star Mine, Keweenaw Point. He went from there to the Madison Mine, and set up machinery and additional stamps. From there he went to the Phoenix Stamp Mill in charge of machinery. He was a contractor in timber with Capt. Joseph Paull. He also was in charge of the machinery of the Pewabic & Franklin Mines several years, and subsequently of the stamp mills of the same mines for awhile. He went to Copper Falls, and was in charge of the mine and mill there. He then returned to the Pewabic Stamp Mill, and refitted it. In 1872, he accepted his present situation with the Atlantic Mining Company. He was married in Keweenaw County, in 1868, to Miss Amelia Walls, daughter of James Walls. Mrs. Evans was born in Pennsylvania. They have five sons and two daughters.

CAPT. PETER FLOYD, of the Atlantic Mine, P. O. Atlantic Mine, was born in the West of England in 1839. He was brought up a miner in his native country, and emigrated to America in 1860, coming direct to the copper region of Lake Superior. He began work with the Franklin Mining Company; was there only a few months, when he went to Ontonagon County, and was employed at the Minesota and National Mines. He subsequently worked at the Central and Cliff Mines. While at the Central Mine, three children were born to him—Peter, born April 28, 1868; Jane Bessie, born August 22, 1870; and Annie, born April 3, 1872. Mr. P. R. Robert, then agent of the Central Mine, appointed Capt. Floyd to take charge of the men employed under him at the Atlantic Mine. June 23, 1872, Capt. William Tonkin who was foreman captain at the Atlantic Mine, was appointed agent in the place of P. R. Robert, and Capt. Floyd was made foreman Captain on the day shift, under Capt. Tonkin. Since Capt. Floyd has been engaged in this mine, he has had seven children born to him—William C. and Tilly (twins), born July 6, 1874; Birchey, born May 8, 1876; Stephen H. and a girl (twins), born September 11, 1877; (the little girl, not christened, died when a few days old); Minnie, born May 11, 1879, and Robert R., born November 11, 1881. Capt. Floyd made a trip to England in 1865, and was married there January 25, 1866, to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of William Harvey. After a short stay in England, he returned to the copper regions, and has lived here ever since.

JOHN JACKSON, foreman copper washer of the Atlantic Stamp Mills, P. O. Houghton, was born in the North of England March 2, 1850. He came to America in 1865, and direct to Portage Lake, Lake Superior. His first work was done in the old stamp-mill of the Grand Portage Mine, Houghton; was there only a few months. He was subsequently employed at the Pewabic, Franklin and Copper Falls Mines as copper washer. In 1873, on the opening of the Atlantic Mills under the present management, he was appointed foreman copper washer, and has since served in that capacity. He was married at Copper Falls to Miss Mary A. Thomas, daughter of William Thomas. Mrs. Jackson was born in Canada. They have three children, two sons and a daughter.

CAPT. RICHARD S. POLGLASE, of the Atlantic Mine, P. O. Atlantic Mine, was born in the parish of Crowan, England, December 23, 1838; was brought up a miner, and emigrated to America in 1859, and came at once to the copper region of Michigan. His first work in the New World was at the Cliff Mine, Keweenaw Point, where he was employed two years. He next worked at the Northwestern Mine, and about 1863 commenced at the Central and Atlantic Mines, the two latter being operated by the same company. Capt. Polglase has been in the employ of this company about ten years in each mine. He was appointed captain in 1873, and prior to Capt. Tonkin's time at the Atlantic, he was in full charge of the mine. He was married, at Eagle Harbor, Mich., July 22, 1864, to Miss Mary, daughter of William Clegg. Mrs. Polglase was born in the Isle of Man. They have one son and four daughters living.

WILLIAM C. TONKIN, shipping clerk for the Atlantic Mining Company, P. O. Atlantic Mine, is the son of Capt. William Tonkin, agent of the Atlantic mine, and was born at the Northwest Mine, Keweenaw County, Mich., October 15, 1855. He was educated at the Michigan Normal School of Ypsilanti. He began business in his father's store at the Phoenix Mine, where he remained till 1875. He then went to Canada, and took a regular course at the Commercial College at London. He was married, at London, Canada, November 15, 1879, to Miss Ida, daughter of Thomas T. Hayden, of Winona, Minn.

WILLIAM TONKIN, agent of the Atlantic Mining Company, P. O. Atlantic Mine, was born in Devonshire, England, May 1, 1829. He was employed about the mines when only ten years of age, under his father, John Tonkin, who was the mining agent. In 1849, he came to America, arriving in New York in June of that year. He proceeded to Canada, where he spent one year. He then came to Lake Superior and engaged in mining at the old Northwest Mine, under Capt. Paull. A few months later, he went to Isle Royale, to take charge of the surface and mill work for a Philadelphia mining company. He was there fourteen months, and then returned to the Northwest Mine. He worked six months as copper-washer, and was then appointed Mining Captain at the same mine, and served in that capacity three years. He next went to Canada, and spent six months, returning to Michigan in May, 1857, to accept the position of agent for the Summit Mining Company, now the Madison. He was there one year and a half. He was next employed at the Northwest Mine, as Superintendent of stamps on contract for a Connecticut company. Two years later, he rented the stamp mill of the Northwestern Mining Company, to stamp the rock for the Central Mine on contract. Was engaged in this business two years. He was then employed by the Central Mining Company as Mining Captain. This connection lasted ten years. He next engaged in mercantile business with Mr. Samuel Pope at Eagle Harbor, under the firm name of Tonkin & Pope. This venture proved unfortunate, and was closed out after three years. He next bought out the stock of the store at the Phoenix Mine. Ran the business two years, and sold out to accept the position of Mining Captain at the Atlantic Mine January 1, 1873. Served five years, and was then promoted to agent, the position he now holds. Mr. Tonkin has taken his turn at every branch of the copper mining business, from boy copper washer to agent. He spent three years in England, erecting engines and mining machinery. Was engaged in running an engine when he left his native country for America. He is now operating a mine —the Atlantic—whose rock is the least rich of the live mines in the Lake Superior Copper Belt, and is making it a success. Probably no mine in the region is worked with greater economy or more systematic good management. Mr. Tonkin was married, in England, October, 1849, when in his twenty-first year, to Miss Ann Coade, daughter of Samuel Coade, of Cornwall, England. Three children were born to them—all born in America—William C., Joanna J. and R. Louisa. Mr. Tonkin has recently been called to mourn the loss of his wife, whose death occurred in May, 1881.

HOWARD A. VAN TASSEL, chief clerk of the Atlantic Mining Company, P. O. Atlantic Mine, was born in Little Britain, Orange Co., N. Y., August 26, 1850; received his education in the city schools of Brooklyn, N. Y., and in 1872, was engaged in the general office of the Central & Atlantic Mining Company at New York, and was so employed till 1879, when he was assigned to the position he now holds.

OSCEOLA.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

CAPT. JOHN DANIELL, P. O. Opechee, Superintendent of the Osceola Mine, also agent of the Ahmuk and Tamarack Mines, is a native of Cornwall, England; he was born in 1839, and from his early boyhood was employed in and about the mines of his locality. In 1863, he emigrated to America, and proceeded to California, where he spent two years in gold mining. He then, in 1865, came to Lake Superior, and has since been officially connected with the Mendota, Pennsylvania, Copper Falls and Cliff Mines, all of Keweenaw County. In 1876, he accepted the position of Mining Captain at the Osceola. and in 1878 was appointed agent of the mine.

FRANK HAUN, P. O. Opechee, of the firm of Vivian & Haun, dealers in general merchandise. Mr. Haun formed a partnership with Johnson Vivian in August, 1882, in the above business at Osceola. Their fall stock will foot up fully $40,000. Mr. Haun was appointed Postmaster at the Opechee Post Office in 1882, which is located at his store. He is a native of Bavaria, Germany, and was born in 1840. He emigrated to America in 1853, and came direct to Lake Superior with his parents; landed at Eagle River; remained there five years. He removed to the Quincy Mine in 1858, learned the carpenter's trade and remained with that company two years. He also worked for the Isle Royal Mining Company. In 1861, he commenced with R. Sheldon & Co., merchants of Houghton, as clerk. He subsequently went to L'Anse; served in a branch store for the successors to R. Shelden & Co., Smith & Harris, and still later with Harris, Seager & Co. at the Calumet Mine and at the Franklin Mine. In August, 1882, he entered upon his present business, and was soon afteward appointed Postmaster of the Opechee Office.

CAPT. JAMES P. RICHARDS, First Mining Captain of the Osceola Mine, P. O. Opechee. Capt. Richards was born in Cornwall, England. He was brought up a miner, and emigrated to America in 1866. He was a miner at the Copper Falls Mine seven years; from there he went to the Allouez, where he worked three years. Then, in 1876, he engaged with the Osceola Mining Company, and has continued in that company's service till this date (1882). Since July, 1881, he has held the position of First Mining Captain.

HENRY WILMERS, foreman copper dresser of the Copper Falls Mining Company, was born in Germany November 11, 1854: came to America in 1867, and direct to Hancock, Lake Superior, where he stayed seven months. In 1868, he engaged as copper washer with the Calumet Mining Company, and continued with that company four years. He was next engaged as night boss of the mill of the Albany & Boston Mining Company, and also in other mills—Osceola and the Allouez. Was engaged as foreman copper dresser, by the Copper Falls Mining Company, on the 20th of September, 1880, and continued with that company for two years. Was then engaged as foreman copper dresser, by the Osceola Mining Company, on the 26th of September, 1882, which is his present position.

 

Includable Page Index History of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan: Houghton County
Index
 Pages 250 - 256 | Pages 256 - 264 | Pages 264 - 272 | Pages 272 - 276 | Pages 276 - 279 | Pages 279 - 283 | Pages 283 - 286
Pages 286 - 291 | Pages 291 - 299 | Pages 299 - 302 | Pages 302 - 305 | Pages 305 - 311 | Pages 311 - 316 | Pages 316 - 320
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