Remembering Our Ancestors Through Genealogy

A History of Iron County Michigan by Jack Hill Published in 1955, "A History of Iron County Michgan" gives the history and other interesting facts about this Upper Peninsula county. The book was originally printed in two columns. In order to improve the readability of the pages on a web browser it was converted to single column by combining every two original lines. With this exception the transcription was done without changes or corrections. Chapter 23 - Crystal Falls Village And City

116     HISTORY OF IRON COUNTY, MICHIGAN     Chapter XXIII   CRYSTAL FALLS VILLAGE AND CITY      While the first mines of the Crystal Falls district were corning into production, the center of settlement activity became group- ed around the sawmill of the Crystal Falls Iron Company situated near the southern outskirts of the present City. Here in 1881, clust- ered around the company offices, shops, store and mill were the shanties and boarding house of the approximately five hundred min- ers, mill hands and railroad construction workers.    The store was operated by Leopold & Runkel and quartered in the same building was the first Postoffice under the supervision of Miss Julia Runkel. The sawmill, which vies for the distinction of being the first sawmill in the County with that of the Tod Stam- baugh mill at their Isabella Mine and the Minckler mill on the west side, was steam operated, had a capacity of some 30,000 board feet per day and employed some sixty men. While some building material was hauled from Florence and even from Quinnesec in the very early days, a large part of the building needs were produced in this mill at this time.    The need of a permanent town site soon became apparent howev- er, and in the afore mentioned year, the Crystal Falls Company purchased land for the purpose on the present site of the City and after platting same, proceeded with the sale of lots. A large part of the early building construction was confined to the east end of Superior Avenue near the railroad tracks.    Most of the work of constructing the grade of the Menominee River Railroad from Iron River Junction (New Stager) was also done during this year, the work being performed under contract by Bishop & Runkle from their camp located near the Brule River in addition to the camp at the millsite half mile south of the newly platted village.    The first train arrived in April 1882 and regular service was in- augurated on May 22. Several business building structures had been undertaken in late 1881 and by March of the following year, a total of four had been completed, namely the William Doncett Opera House, the D. Bannerman House, the Martin Rogan building and the early Stephenson House, the latter at the moment operated by A. J. Harding.    Some homes were also completed at this time, the first being those of J. E. Bower and Andrew Vandandaigue while the home of Dr. H. C. Kimball was about ready for occupancy and several others under varying stages of construction.    Mrs. Kimball, the first lady in the village arrived on June 10, 1881 to join her husband Dr. Kimball who was the local mining doctor. Her journey from Florence was made in a buckboard wagon and she is probably the only white   HISTORY OF IRON COUNTY, MICHIGAN         117   woman to view the virgin forests of the townsite before they were attacked by the woodsmen's axes.    The great promise shown by the surrounding mines and explora- tions resulted in a rapid expansion of the town. By 1884 it boasted of some twenty-five business establishments which included three hotels, two drug stores, two dry goods stores, one hardware, one bakery, three grocery stores, one restaurant, one barber shop, one jeweler, two public halls and several saloons. In addition there were three blacksmith shops specalizing in wagon repair and one saddlery.    Fortunately, the leadership in the settlement was school con- scious and steps were taken at an early date to provide educational facilities for the young. This machinery was set into motion by Township School Inspectors Dr. J. M. Mead and J. B. Schwartz with the establishment of School District No. 1 on July 5, 1882.    At a meeting held two weeks later, D. C. Lockwood was elected Moderator, Dr. H. C. Kimball assessor and S. D. Hollister, director.    A census of school children that followed revealed a total of 210 eligibles, this number remaining very nearly uniform for the first three years.    On September 4 was held the annual school meeting when ap- proval was granted to bond the district to the extent of $8,000 for the purchase of building and equipped a school house. Lots for the purpose were donated by the Crystal Falls Iron Company situa- ted on the corner of Fourth and Michigan street.    Additional funds to the extent of $2,000 were appropriated for immediate school needs and suitable rooms were rented for hold- ing of classes until the new school was completed and prepared for occupancy. Carl Grosse was engaged as principal and Miss Martha Parmenter of Commonwealth as his assistant and the first classes were held in Octoberof that year.    In the month of May 1883, the contract for the construction of the school was let to Dumville & Elliot of Marinette, Wisconsin. The new school was occupied in November of that year with Miles L. Smith as principal and Miss Parmenter as assistant. At the same time, a primary school was opened across the River to accommo- date the children near the mines and Frank Scadden was engaged as instructor. This school was however, discontinued after one year of service.    Religious and social needs of the community were also provided for by the early residents. By 1884, the Presbyterians had organized the First Presbyterian church and services were held regularly by Rev. Isaac Baird in the Hollister Block. Other Protestant denomi- nations and those of the Catholic faith held services only occassion- ally. Among social activities worthy of mention were a sport- ing club, a baseball club and a brass band consisting of thirteen members.    The first action toward incorporation as a Village was taken in December 1887 when a petition was presented to the County Board by William Doncett the current supervisor of the Town- ship. The area proposed for incorporation under this petition embraced one square mile with the center of same being the corner between Sections 20, 21, 28, and 29 and would thus have divid- ed the Village about equally on both sides of the river.     No action was taken on this petition and for reasons unknown the same was withdrawn some six months later. A second attempt was made in the fall of 1888 when a new petition was presented by J. B. Schwartz, Adolph Lustfield and nineteen freeholders. This petition received the aporoval of the Board and the Village govern- ment was set up during the following year. The Boundaries were now somewhat changed and though remaining approximately one section in size, no lands were taken on the east side of the river.    Employment conditions through out the first eight years in the life of the community, though   118     HISTORY OF IRON COUNTY, MICHIGAN   somewhat sporadic in nature were nevertheless sufficient for the needs of the people and the area enjoyed a uniformly consistent growth. In addition to the development of new mines, the lumbering industry continued to provide seasonal work for many men and business as a whole flourished.    In the prosecution of the latter the Kirby, Carpenter, Company established a large farm along the banks of the Paint River some nine miles below the community where the oxen used in the woods work were rested during the summer season. The early Florence- Republic trail was used by the Company and other lumbermen to reach the more distant points to the north and a bridge for the crossing of the Paint River was maintained some two miles down stream from the city where the trail continued north along the east side of the river.    A branch of this trail took off near the Great Western Mine leading to the headwaters of the Hemlock River and a halfway house was maintained on the south end of Gilbert Lake on the site now occupied by the Matt Jarvi farmstead. The main trail fol- lowed a northeasterly course from the Great Western to Scott-Webb Lake (now inundated by the waters of Way dam) where a half- way house was also operated. From this point the trail led to Floodwood and thence on to Republic.    It is regrettable that no records of the Village during the decade of its corporate existence beginning in 1889 have been preserved for posterity. It is known however, that this was a period of un- usual hardship for the residents and many left the district to seek new economic opportunities. Some progress was made nevertheless for in 1890 the Court House and jail structures were added to the Village.    At this time we also see the advent of Thomas Conlin into the life of the community. In the year 1897, Mr. Conlin became co- publisher of The Diamond Drill, the former partnership of Charles H. Watson and M. H. Moriarty being dissolved at the moment with the withdrawal of Mr. Watson. The publication was founded by C. M. Atkinson in January 1887, the first issue rolling off the presses on the twenty-second day of that month.    In 1924, Mr. Conlin became sole owner and his talents brought the paper to its highest point in weekly newspaper circles. Upon the death of Mr. Conlin in 1935, publication was continued by his son Thomas D. Conlin. In the year 1946 it was purchased by the Dal- pra brothers, Alex, Paul and Rudolph, the present owners.    As the turn of the century approached, the Village appears to have reached its maturity and agitation was begun for the establish- ment of a City government. The issue was placed before the elec- tors at the spring elections of 1899 and met with approval. The first meeting of the Council was held on April 12, with Mayor T. H. Parks presiding.    Others taking office at this time were L. A. Henry as Clerk, Wil- liam Cole and Josiah Brooks Aldermen First Ward, D. H. Marge- son and Andrew Nelson Aldermen Second Ward and Martin Bach and Al Charon Aldermen Third Ward. Appointments made by Mayor Parks included Fred H. Abbott City Attorney, Frank D. Bal marshall, Charles Anderson street commissioner, Ira Jackson surveyor, James H. Johnson fire chief, and Adolph Lustfield, Luke Welch, Patrick C. Dunn, O. M. Brown and Charles G. Campbell as members of the board of public works.    Wages of City labor for the year were set at $1.60 for man labor and $3.50 for teams per day. Like all other municipalities of the county during this period, the City reaped considerable revenue from the sale of saloon licenses. In the year 1901, the bonds of nineteen saloon keepers were approved. During the autumn of the lat- ter year, the groundwork was laid for the establishment of a city- owned power dam and a new water system. The proposition was   HISTORY OF IRON COUNTY, MICHIGAN         119   placed before the people on December 12, and met with approval. The contract was let to A. C. Weeks and the work was complet- ed early in the year 1903. As a result of this foresightedness, the residents are enjoying the second lowest light rates of all municipali- ties in the Upper Peninsula.    The movement for the construction of a modern City Hall was started in 1911. The matter of bonding the city for this purpose was referred to the electors on March 7, 1912 and met with ap- proval. On September 13, 1913, the contract was let to Herman Gundlack of Houghton and the structure was completed the fol- lowing year.    The gradual reduction in the demand for the local ores in recent years has seen a slight population drift toward the more active mines of the west side of the county. It is hoped by the residents however, that there will be a revival of efforts toward the utilization of the lower grade ores that would utimately mean so much to the city. And when that time comes, it is freely predicted that the City will again equal and even surpass the heights of its former glory.    At this point it may be of interest to mention briefly the pioneers who played so vital a part in these early days and who through diligent search have come to the attention of the writer. While there are no doubt many others worthy of mention, their omission is wholly unintentional as the extensive research at this late date makes obvious.    Solomon D. Hollister, a native of Sparta Wisconsin, was born in Saratoga County, N. Y. in 1833. Mr. Hollister made his way to the district in 1880 and was followed by his family two years later. He early became associated with George Runkel and their combined efforts resulted in the discovery of the Great Western Mine. Mr. Hollister was one of the outstanding leaders in public and civic affairs and was a member of the State Historical Society in the year of 1884.    George Runkel was born in Germany about 1838 and came to the area in 1880. Impressed by the mining possibilities and support- ed by influential officials of the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad, Mr. Runkel secured several leases and organized the Crystal Falis Iron Company that made the greatest single contribution toward the development of the district.    Adolph E. Guensburg, while not directly a resident of Crystal Falls was well known and deeply interested in its early mining ventures. Mr. Guensburg operated branch stores here and at Iron River from his headquarters store at Florence.    Jerome B. Schwartz who was born in Lorraine, France follow- ed mining on the Marquette and lower Menominee ranges and came to the Falls in 1882. He entered into the general merchandise business on the corner of Superior and Second Streets and followed exploratory work on the side. He was a man of exceptional mining skill and was very active in civic affairs.    Frank Scadden was born in Cornwall, England and came to the Village in August 1882 at the aqe of twenty four. His early em- ployment was that of school teacher, music instructor and later bookkeeper at the early mines.    Michael Groop came to Florence in 1881. Following one winter of employment in the pine camps along the Michigamme River, Mr. Groop aided in the completion of the railroad into the Village and continued to make it his home. He was a native of Finland and lived to the advanced age of 99 years.    Marcellus J. Lindsay came in 1882 as bookkeeper and paymaster for the construction crews of Bishop & Runkel in the building of the railroad.    Martin Rogan came from Dodge County, Wisconsin in June 1881 when there was still no buildings on the townsite. He followed ex- ploring and stonework and later went into business. Mr. Rogan was born in Saratoga County, N. Y.    Adolph Lustfield came to the Falls in March 1881 from Oconto, Wisconsin to manage a store for Joseph Laer. Later he went into   120     HISTORY OF IRON COUNTY, MICHIGAN   the drygoods business on his own and became very active in political affairs. Mr. Lustfield was born in Bohemia in 1858.    Fay G. Clark was a lands examiner who followed the progress of the Menominee River Railroad and came to the village in 1881. Mr. Clark was a native of Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin where he was born in 1851.    D. Bannerman, one of the earliest business men in the town was a native of Edinburgh, Scotland. He built a fine Hotel and in addition operated a livery service and hardware store.    Gottlieb Urban came in the latter part of 1880. He was engaged in woodswork and later in the sawmill. Mr. Urban was of Ger- man descent.    William Doucette, the owner of the early Opera House was born in New Brunswick in 1850. He came to the area in 1881 and took a very active part in political affairs. Hella, a daughter of Mr. Doucette was the first child born in the village. Kin of Mr. Doucette are represented on the west side of the county in the descendants of Thomas Doucette, a brother, who originally came to the Falls in 1887. The family is of FrenchCanadian lineage.    J. E. Bowers who erected the first structure, namely, a bark shanty, came in June 1881. While living in this temporary dwelling, he built a larger house which he opened to the public as the first hotel. Mr. Bower was a native of St. Joseph County, Michigan.    Peter Cossette came to the Village in 1882. Following the profes- sion of carpentry, Mr. Cossette helped to build many of the early homes and also worked on the first village water system when water was secured from the Creek near the present Iron County garage. Frank, a son was the first boy born in town.    Dr. H. C. Kimball came in April 1881. His home was the first frame building erected in the vicinity, the lumber for same be- ing hauled from Florence. Dr. Kimball came from St. Joseph County, Michigan and took an active part in civic affairs.    Charles Gallagher, the first Justice of the Peace, came in April 1882. Mr. Gallagher was born in Coburg, Canada in 1850 and spent some fifteen years in Oconto and Peshtigo prior to coming here.    D. C. Lockwood came to the area in July 1881 to set up the sawmill for the Crystal Falls Iron Company. The following year he be- gan the construction of the Lockwood Hotel which he operated for many years. Mr. Lockwood was a staunch Republican and is credit- ed with turning the district from a Democratic to a Republican strong- hold in the year 1884. He was also very active in civic activities.    Maurice Walsh a deputy sheriff while the district was still under the jurisdiction of the Sheriff of Marquette County, came to the Falls in 1881. Following his arrival, he spent two years in woods- work for John H. Parks, was appointed marshall and several months later became a deputy sheriff. Mr. Walsh was born in Ontario, Canada in 1862.    Andrew Vandandague came to the district in 1881 as the village was being laid out. During the month of August of that year he erected one of the very first houses on the townsite. Mr. Van- dandague was a carpenter by profession and was born in Canada in 1835.    John Paro was also one of the pioneers that came with the rail- road. Mr. Paro was born in Finland in 1829 and came to the United States in the year of 1881. In the fall of that year he came to Florence where he secured employment on the railroad exten- sion from that village to Crystal Falls. With the completion of the line he made the Falls his home where he was engaged in the min- ing and lumbering industries.    The family of Mr. Paro did not arrive in the village until 1887. This family consisted of his wife; a daughter, Ida, then age ten and a son, Charles, age five years. The latter two individuals con-   HISTORY OF IRON COUNTY, MICHIGAN         121   tinue to make their home in the City at this time.    Mr. Paro died in the year 1911at the age of eighty-two.    Charles S. Henry came to the Falls before the village was plat- ted in the year 1881. He was a descendant of one of the early families of Green Bay and was born in that city in the year 1849.    In 1882 when housing facilities became available, Mr. Henry brought his family to the village, said family consisting of his wife, a son, Louis, then six years of age and a daughter, Daisy, age four and who at this writing makes her home in the city of Detroit.    Louis Henry is one of the older surviving pioneers of Crystal Falls at this time and is also one of its oldest businessman.  He has taken a very active part in political and civic affairs throughout the years.    Charles S. Henry, the father of Louis Henry, died in the village on March 14, 1897.    Henry Kieren, while not one of the earliest pioneers of the county, is one of its older residents at this time. He was born at Clarksburg, Michigan, a small village near Ishpeming on April 26, 1869 and is of German descent. His first work on the Menominee Range was at Florence where he arrived in 1890. A short time later he came to Iron County where he has continued to make his home.    Mr. Kieren had the unique experience of witnessing the coun- ty's worst mining accident while engaged as master mechanic at the ill fated Mansfield Mine. In relating the incident to the writer he said, "It was on the eighth day of September in 1893 and I was in the boarding house near the mine when I heard three blasts of the mine whistle. This was the prearranged emergency call for the master mechanic. I hurried to the mine where I discovered an eddy in the normally quiet flowing stream of some four feet in diameter where the river was finding its way into the workings. My first thought was to shut off the steam leading into the mine and I ran to the boiler room where the main valves were placed. Up- on my return to the waters edge, the very bottom appeared to drop out of the river. Fortunately, the waters found their way directly to the bottom or fourth level, thus permitting the miners on the up- per levels to escape. Twenty-seven men however, came to their death."    Mr. Kieren now lives in retirement at his home in the city. He is now eighty-five years of age and is one of the few remaining pioneers.    Richard Dawson came to the Falls in the month of May, 1882, and immediately entered the hotel business. He was born in Peter- borough County, Ontario, Canada and came to this area from Brown County, Wisconsin.    O. O. Welch came from Iowa and entered the village in the Month of March 1881. He was born in Niagara County, New York in 1844 and resided for many years in Titusville, Pennsylvania. He was a machinist by trade and worked in the early Great Western and other mines.    Herman Holmes, though not a pioneer of Crystal Falls was nevertheless one of the pioneers of the county and spent the greater part of his life in that city. He was born in Sweden on October 3, 1872 and at the age of twelve years came to America, settling in Stambaugh Township where his father had entered a homestead claim. Following the attendance of the Stambaugh schools for sev- eral years, he worked in the mines and forests until the year 1900 when he was elected sheriff of the county. This office he con- tinued to hold for a period of six years, being re-elected in 1902 and again in 1904. Upon the completion of his tenure in office, he en- tered into logging operations in which he was consistently success- ful.    About the year 1920. Mr. Holmes branched into highway grading and paving projects to which he turned all his energies some ten years later. At the height of his career, he completed several   122     HISTORY OF IRON COUNTY, MICHIGAN   large-scale contracts in the eastern states, mainly Pennsylvania.    In 1898, he was married to Miss Christina Sackerson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Olaf Sackerson, also Stambaugh Township pioneers who settled on homestead lands adjacent to the Holmes farmstead. Mr. Holmes died in Bedford, Pennsylvania on December 4, 1948.    William A. Holmes was one of the pioneers that came to the Falls at the beginning of the pine logging era. He was the son of Wil- liam Holmes, pioneer lumberman of Menominee and was born in that village on the twelfth day of March in the year 1860. Following the vocation of his father he centered his interests in the lumber- ing industry, entering the upper Iron river valley in the year 1884 and two years later working along the Michigamme river.    At the latter point he associated with his father to construct the narrow gauge railway to transport the logs to the river. Upon com- pletion of the pine logging in Iron County, Mr. Holmes moved his equipment over the state line into Wisconsin where he continued to operate for many years. Mr. Holmes died in the year 1935.    Emil Hurja, a native son, while not one of the earliest of pioneers, is worthy of mention in this work due to his national recognition. Mr. Hurja was born in Crystal Falls in 1892, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Matt Hurja, early setttlers of Finnish extraction that made their way to the County in 1886. Receiving his early education in the local schools, Mr. Hurja entered the newspaper profession and subsequently became the editor and publisher of the Path- finder, a weekly periodical published in Washington, D. C.    In 1932, he gained eminence as a political analyst with his ac- curate prediction of the Franklin D. Roosevelt presidential majority. He also served as executive director of the Democratic National Committee for several years.    Mr. Hurja died on May 30, 1953 and was buried in the Arling- ton National cemetery at Washington, D. C.