Painesdale Mine & Shaft, Inc.

Barbara Manninen President Trustees– (906) 231–5542 Catherine Lewis Vice President Sherri Brandt www.PainesdaleMineShaft.com Anton Pintar Treasurer Phyllis Lanctot [email protected] Sherri Lewis Secretary Janet Gregorich PO Box 332 Painesdale, MI 49955 Newsletter–Spring, 2018

Family Research By Barbara Manninen

One of the main attractions of the Captain’s Office are the heavy payroll ledgers that we have on display on the tables in the office. Visitors are welcome to look through them to see if they can find the name of a relative, someone they know, or a friend of the family. We also have a supply of canceled payroll checks that we give out to relatives, free of charge. It may take a bit of time to search through the envelopes, but there is such joy if you are lucky and find your relative.

Questions often come up, through correspondence, or perhaps while on a tour of the mineshaft, about relatives, possibly immigrants, that have lived in Painesdale and worked in the Champion mines in some capacity. Being an all-volunteer organization, we don’t have the time to do the research required, ourselves, but have compiled a short list of local sources to contact that may be of help, or provide leads to follow for further information.

The Houghton County Court House: A close up of a page from one of the payroll ledgers. http://www.houghtoncounty.net/directory-clerk.php. Call (906) 482-1150 and set up an appointment to go through the ledgers for the years you are interested in re: deaths, The Finnish American Heritage Center: marriages, naturalizations, all public records, from 1867 http://www.finlandia.edu/fahc/archive/ If you to the present. Cost is $5.00. Birth records, however, are are interested in Finnish relatives, they have a not public records and are off limits (special instructions comprehensive collection of all things Finnish. Phone are given). No photos allowed of pages searched, number: (906) 487-7374. but you can write stuff down or request a copy of a certificate. Parish Registries (Metric Books): Records of baptisms, marriages, confirmations, deaths. Technological University Archives: Several churches have closed over the years in the Range http://www.mtu.edu/library/archives/visiting/ The Copper town areas, or have burned. For Catholic records of Range Company records are stored here. To Sacred Heart of Painesdale; St. Mary’s of Donken; Holy actually see the records, you will have to make a trip to Family of South Range; and St. Mary “Star of the Sea” of the library on the MTU campus. Atlantic Mine, contact the St. Ignatious Loyola Church in Houghton, MI, phone# (906) 482-0212. For the Suomi The Houghton-Keweenaw County Genealogical society: Synod Finnish (Evangelical Lutheran Church of America) http://www.hkcgs.org/ churches, now closed, of Painesdale, Baltic and Toivola, Copper Range Historical Museum: their records are kept at Grace Lutheran Church in https://www.pasty.com/crhm/ Phone#’s to call: (906) South Range, MI. Phone# (906) 482-2011. The records 482-3097 or (906) 487-9412. of the now closed Finnish Apostolic Lutheran Church in

Continued on page 2... Painesdale Mine & Shaft, Inc.

Family Research Continued... Painesdale are in the archives of the Finnish American a regular subscription to ancestry.com is that you can’t Heritage Center, phone# (906) 487-7374. The Albert create your own family tree. However, you can search Paine United Methodist Church in Painesdale is an active other people’s family trees. For more information about church and has records. Call Ruth at (906) 482-1470 for the Library Edition: https://www.ancestry.com/cs/us/ further information. institution#library-edition.

DNA testing is now available through several companies For additional sources on finding your family history and and are a good source for connecting with relatives. ancestors check out this website: https://www.usa.gov/ Testing through more than one company might increase genealogy. your chances of locating the persons you are looking for. We appreciate your interest in the family aspect of the The Portage Lake District Library in Houghton, MI., history of the Champion #4 and what it means to you phone# (906) 482-4570, has a free version of ancestry. who have a connection to it. We hope to be of help. com. You have to be at the library to access it, as it is a “Library Edition.” If you don’t live around here, it may be available at a library near you. The only difference from

Industrial Archeology Research By Vince Kanthak Winters in the Copper County are long, dark and perfect Article #3 is a re-publication of a paper that was for doing internet research. A personal interest of mine originally from the Lake Superior Mining Institute’s Ninth is Industrial Archeology - particularly as it relates to the Annual Meeting in 1903. Unfortunately this document . My research this past winter is not currently available in digital form. However, it produced a real motherlode of articles published more was republished (with editing) in February 1913 in the than a hundred years ago in the professional journals Journal of Engineering and Contracting. A single copper of the time. Google, in it effort to digitize the world, mill required around 20 million gallons of water daily has been working with libraries to digitize their out-of- to operate. The mills located in Redridge had access copyright holdings. These documents are now available to the water from the Redridge steel . The Baltic, through Google Books. As a result of my research I found Trimountain and Champion mills used Lake Superior. four articles that relate to the Copper Range Company: Not a big deal until you want the water in the middle of winter. This is the story of how the workers in Freda and Article #1 is an in-depth review of the underground Beacon Hill built the water intakes so that they could practices in the Champion, Baltic and Trimountain provide a steady water supply year round. Some of the mines published in 1922 by the Lake Superior Mining work was incredibly dangerous. Imagine “swimming” in Institute. This is fascinating reading for those who want an old fashioned diver’s suit up a 900’ intake pipe that is to know the details of mine operations in the Copper only 36” in diameter. Range Company. If you are familiar with the size of the poor rock piles around the Champion Mine you might be Article #4 Mines run on compressed air. This article surprised to learn that this is only a fraction of the rock is a description of the air compressor used at the that was blasted. Much of the poor rock stayed down in Champion mine. It was published by the Lake Superior the mine and never saw the light of day. You can learn Mining Institute in 1906. It is kind of technical but what happened to it in this article. quite interesting. You can see where this pump was located in the Hoist House at the Champion #4 mine. Article #2 is actually a series of four articles published in Sadly, the pump was removed when the mine was the Engineering and Mining Journal in 1915. While much decommissioned. Members who are interested getting of these articles discuss the operations at the Quincy copies these documents can contact me via email Mine’s Rockhouse, there is discussion of the practices ([email protected]). I can provide a link to digital used at the Champion Mine’s Rockhouse also. copies or I can provide a limited number of paper copies for a modest donation to Painesdale Mine and Shaft, Inc.

2 Painesdale Mine & Shaft, Inc.

Restoration Update By Vince Kanthak

Summer 2018 is going to be a busy time around the PM&S grounds. We have a big lineup of projects to maintain our structures as well as to make them more viewable for our visitors.

The biggest project will be repairing the steel siding and roof in order to secure the shaft/ rockhouse from the weather. Sadly some of the timbering inside the shafthouse has been damaged over the years due to leaking water. PM&S has received a Keweenaw Heritage Grant to help cover approximately 50% of the cost. The remaining cost will be covered by a generous donation from the estate of Thomas Roberts. Robert E Johnson Contracting will be handling this job.

Dale Johns Construction will be working on several projects on site. Reroofing the Captain’s A missing piece of siding can be seen on the top of the Office is a high priority due to the deteriorated shafthouse. condition of the shingles. They will also be helping us enhance the interior of the shafthouse to give The PM&S match will come from the Joseph Putrich Memorial visitors better access to the ground level and repair Fund and from a Leuthold Family Foundation Grant. We will the broken windows. Molpus Woodlands Group also be building an outside stairs that will give easier and more (the current manager of the remaining poor rock direct access to the lower level of the site where the rockhouse pile at Champion #4) has generously offered to and hoisthouse are located. These projects are made possible provide poor rock gravel for leveling the floor. by the generous support provided by the many individual and This project is completion of the 2017 Keweenaw family donors who have contributed over the past years. Heritage Grant of $3,550.

Mining Moose Fundraiser

Morris the Mining Moose is still available to come home with you! He is 9 inches tall and is wearing one of our navy hoodies printed with our logo, and is also ready for work in the mine with his hardhat with headlamp.

He is available for a $20 donation (or 2 for $35) and can be ordered by contacting us (please include shipping if you need him mailed to you).

3 Painesdale Mine & Shaft, Inc. Rex Carlson

An example of Rex’s artwork for Painesdale Mine & Shaft.

It is with sadness we note the passing of Rex Carlson Rex married the former Barbara Armstrong in July on March 15, 2018. Rex was 81 years old, a resident of of 1988, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Kalkaska, Painesdale, and a long time supporter of the Painesdale Michigan. The couple moved to the U.P. in May of 2004, Mine & Shaft, Inc. He loved giving tours and sharing making their home in Painesdale. his knowledge and stories of what it was like during the active mining days of the past. Rex was an avid fisherman and loved leading many father/son trips to the U.P. and Canada. He was very Obituary: Rex Carlson active with the Painesdale Mine & Shaft. He loved giving tours of the mine and telling folks stories of what it was As received from the Antila Funeral Service: like in the mining days.

Rex Carlson, 81, a resident of Painesdale, passed away Rex was very artistic. He enjoyed drawing and painting early Thursday morning on March 15, 2018, at his home pictures, which are proudly displayed in his home. He with his loving family by his side. enjoyed people and loved sharing stories.

He was born Rex Gene Carlson on November 10, 1936, Rex is survived by his loving wife, Barb of Painesdale; in Grand Rapids, Michigan, a son to the late Raymond children, Kelli (Carlson) Mark Wysocki of Petoskey, Traci and Evelyn (Huffman) Carlson. Rex’s mother, Evelyn, (Carlson) Wasnack of Lewiston, Cory (Wendy) Carlson passed away when Rex was seven years old. Eventually of Mio, Andi (Armstrong) Brent Light of Fredericksburg, Raymond married Irene Scott and together they raised Virginia, Nikki Carlson of Lansing, and Heidi (Armstrong) Rex. Szymanski of Mio. Besides his parents, Rex was also preceded in death by a daughter, Christi Carlson; and Rex graduated from Houghton Lake High School in three grandsons, Austin Carlson, Christian Szymanski and 1954. John Szymanski. He went into the U.S. Army where he served in Funeral services will be held at St. Mary’s Catholic Occupied Japan as a Morse Code Specialist. Church in Mio on Saturday, March 24, 2018, at 11 Rex served on the Michigan State Police Force as a radio a.m. Burial will be in the Mentor Township Cemetery. operator and certified diver. He worked as a sheriff’s Arrangements are being handled by the Mountain View deputy for Oscoda County. He retired from Kneeland Mortuary of South Range, Antila Funeral Service, Inc. Industries in Mio. After retiring, he had his own business, Online condolences may be expressed to the family at Little Viking Sign Shop in Mio. antilafuneral.com.

4 Painesdale Mine & Shaft, Inc. Thomas C. Roberts

We are thankful for a generous donation provided by the estate of Thomas C. Roberts, a lifetime member of the PM&S, Inc. and supporter of local history, from Battle Creek, MI, who passed away on February 16, 2016 at the age of 68. This gift enables us to go forward with much needed work on the mineshaft/ rockhouse.

In Memory of: Thomas Charles Roberts He was born in Hancock, Michigan October 5, 1947 to Mary Coon Roberts and Dash C. Roberts.

Thomas (Tommy) was raised in Battle Creek, Michigan, Tom and Mary Roberts where he attended school through High School. He then went to Kalamazoo Jr. College, finishing his college degree from Michigan State University in Education. He Tommy died on February 16, 2016, after a long battle with substitute taught at several schools in the Battle Creek cancer. area. His mother Mary Coon was a daughter of Mr. & Mrs. He served in the US Army, doing a tour of duty in Thomas A, Coon (May & Tom), life-ling residents of Vietnam. Upon his being discharged from the army Hancock, Michigan. he was employed at the Federal Center in Battle Creek, Written by Mary Elizabeth Coon White Michigan, from which he retired. (Her father, Bob, was Mary Roberts oldest brother)

Tommie’s hobbies (passions) were the Copper country where he and his mother vacationed every summer. He Thomas C. Roberts – Local Trust Heirs collected all things Railroads and trains…Stamps…Post Hoist Association; Copper Range Historical Cards (especially Michigan)…Baseball Cards…Music in Museum; the Calumet Theater Co.; different mediums (sheet, records, 8 tracks, tapes, CDs, Association; The Painesdale Mine & Shaft, Inc. etc.)

He sang in the Church Choir for a long time. Played the Accordion for select audiences.

Become A Member/Donations

Name: $10.00 $100.00 Yearly Membership Lifetime Membership Email: $ Address: Other Donation

Please make checks payable to: Painesdale Mine & Shaft, Inc. PO Box 332 Painesdale, MI 49955

5 Painesdale Mine & Shaft, Inc.

What You Are Telling Us By Anton J. Pintar, Treasurer

We often receive comments from our members on their “Please send current Newsletter to me. I would like a family ties to Painesdale, Copper Range, the Champion yearly membership to Painesdale Mine & Shaft, Inc. My Shafthouses and the Range Towns. We share these as father, Wilfred Saaranen (dec.), was a yearly member; memorials to the many everyday people who built, Rachel Saaranen was his wife. He was born in South lived in, worked in, and died in the towns of Painesdale, Range and his father worked the mines. Dad graduated Atlantic Mine, South Range, Baltic, Trimountain and from Painesdale High. Toivola. If you have comments to make, please send them to us and we will put them in future Newsletters. Joy Fisher, Jacksonville, FL “I am enjoying my copper ore specimen that my husband got for me for Christmas. I can see six very small specks “I would like a Lifetime Membership in memory of Harry of copper. It is special to me because my grandfather, Williams. Harry Williams was the son of John Henry [George Pastore] worked in that mine. Williams killed on June 1, 1928. I am Harry Williams daughter.” “I also wanted to Thank You for taking on this project, recording samples & mailing them. When I was a child, Nancy Williams Gaggioli, Mission Viejo, CA we spent hours picking through the rock piles at the Painesdale & Baltic mines. I have one sample with a nice little copper spot in it. More special is the copper vein “Thank You to all for the work you do. Merry Christmas.” that has been in my bookcase since about 1965. Dan & Gail Armstrong, Lake Orion, MI “I trailered my dad’s (Peter Ambrosiani) boat from Buckley, WV to S. Range & Dad flew up later in his plane. He attempted to move the boat lifting it on the “Thank You for the lovely article about my Dad, Joe trailer & ‘threw his back out’. One doctor told him he Putrich, in Painesdale Mine & Shaft, Inc. Newsletter- needed surgery. Another said he needed to spend six Fall, 2017. My Dad is truly missed by our family and weeks in traction. He went to a Swedish masseuse in friends. I am so thankful to all that donated to the Joe Lake Linden & every night he & Allie Rugani sat in Allie’s Charles Putrich Memorial for the continued restoration sauna & drank a bottle of whiskey. Problem solved! & repairs of Champion #4 Shafthouse. I was thrilled to read about the donations being used ‘as a match for a “Johnny Pastore [now deceased] filled my days while Keweenaw Heritage Grant’. What a further blessing that Dad rehabilitated. We swung on a Tarzan rope, played is for Painesdale Mine & Shaft, Inc.! May God continue with a raft at Agate Beach, went to ball games in S. to bless you & your families in 2018.” Range, etc. One day we were picking the rock pile at JoEllen Putrich Albertson, Warsaw, IN Painesdale; a man ‘high in the tipple’ asked what we were doing & who we were. When he learned I was George Pastore’s granddaughter, he tossed down three pieces of copper vein. Pat Rozich, who was with us, “Thank You for all you have done to preserve the mounted his & John’s on a nice piece of wood, but mine history of Painesdale mining. It is a history that must be sits like it was found only shined by Pat. I treasure it & preserved. It was a major contributor to the history of the all the memories I had in S. Range. The man who tossed Copper Country. Thank You for your fine work. Please us the veins said he knew my grandfather well & had accept this unrestricted contribution. Use it as you see worked with him.” best.” Sherry Kovach, De Witt, MI Mike Groeneveld, Alexandria, VA

“Grew up in Painesdale, have a home in Trimountain, going to retire back to the U.P! Rudy Gregorich was my grandfather; our lifetime membership and donation will be in his name. He was so proud of the mineshaft and his time there.”

Julie Siirila, Jeffers Class of ’76, Warwick, RI

6 Painesdale Mine & Shaft, Inc.

Janet Korpi Hackbardt (dec.) Louis Lombardi Memory John Ritola Lifetime Members Philip R. Haensgen (by Frank & Martha Cuff) Ruth Salo Roberts Carolyn Haines David & Kathryn Louks Thomas C. Roberts (dec.) Dale & Kathryn Sechan Adler Jane Hall Julia Pintar MacMillan (dec.) Richard A. & Judith D. (by Sherry, Chris & Glenn) John C. & Susan R. Hall Elizabeth Trevorrow Mallett Rosenburg Anita Andreini Ahearn Julie Hayrynen James & Barbara Manderfield Bessie Stevens Roy (dec.) Lt. Col. Howard I. & Irma Alan Kathy L. Hayrynen Peter & Kathryn Mariconi (dec.) Thomas Rozich (dec.) David C. & Cynthia A. Allen Audrey Coombe Herbison Diadama B. Mason (dec.) Robert Ruikka Ambrosiani Foundation Jack & Carole Hitchens Yalmer & Pearl Mattila (dec.) Karl & Carolyn Rundman Mavis Holappa Anderson (dec.) Kim Hoagland David C. & Beatrice (dec.) John W. & Luana Russell William Andreini Francis Goodell Hoffman Meyers Frank & Jackie Russo Richard & Jean Rashleigh Philip & Diane Maki Holappa Felix & Lois Mickus Robert A. Ruth Andrews Bennie & Corinne Holm Albert J. Mickus (dec.) Peter Schierich William Andrews Memory Christian Holombo Isabel Middendorf Matt Russell & Nanette Schulte Gail & Daniel Armstrong Donald & Barbara Horack Kenneth D.Chick, Midnight Carl & Marlene Hovey Sechan Gary Arvo Memory Kathy Huang Pocatello Yardmasters Stuart & Ruby Selesky Samuel Bagnieski Wendy K. Hunter Janice M. Mikkola Joseph Sergey Harvey W. Barkley Ken & Geraldine Hutchinson Marcia Miller Greg & Kelly Shea Robert J. & Debra S. Bartosh, Jr Max & June Ingersoll Cynthia J. Mills Clarence Sibilsky Charles & Beverly Baxter Gale Erickson Iskra Paul & Julie Pintar Mohar Jack E. Siirila James & Mary Beaton Marty Iskra Bob & Carolyn Musser Norman Kangas & Julie Siirila* Kurt Berge Virginia Jamison Diana Musser (Memory of Rudy Gregorich) Ray Bertolli Allan & Mary Ann Mitzi Kayfes Conrad & Patricia Muth John Siller Marie Pierini Bianchi (dec.) Johnson (Mary Gasperich Muth William (dec.) & Jean Simila John M. & Marcia Mason Blom Philip Johnson Memory) Richard W. Smith Anthony M. & Kay G. Briski Mr. & Mrs. Lawrence Julio Herschel E. Nantelle Aerie #1122, South Range Eagles Glenn & Nancy Bugni Julio Contracting Co. Peter & Mary Nelli Larry M. Southwick William & Elizabeth Buhrmaster Arlen (dec.) & Judy Juntunen Dale & Linda Nicholls Fred & Gen Spehar Steve & Annette Cappo Butina Shirley Rinkinen Jutila Marlene D. Nordstrom Robert J. & Susan M. Steinen Spence Carlson Memory Donald Kaiponen Northern Hardwoods Jim & Mary Steinen (dec.) (by Marilyn) Philip D. Kangas George A. & Brenda J. Daniel P. & Kathryn Sterk Frank S. Carlton Vince & Retta Kanthak Nousiainen Fred & Maria Sterk Kayden John Carlton Sharon Karppinen (dec.) Karl & Candy Nousiainen Paul V. Sterk Sarah M. Carlton James Katalin (dec.) William Howard & Sada Sarah Bernard R. Sterk (dec.) Steve & Sherry Chapman John & Ann Katalin, Sr. (dec.) Sargeant Paine O’Brien (dec.) Rudolph J. & Alice Fredlund Gregg Chopp Ronald K. Kauppila Sean & Tina O’Connor Sterk Memory Gerald Chopp (dec.) Conrad Kauppila (dec.) (by Frank S. Carlton) Helen & Laurence Stevens Richard & Jane Church Bessie Kayfes Paul & Joyce Ollila Gladys Rowe Stimac Amanda & Stephen Cleary Pat & Mike Kelley Anthony L. & Judith E. Olson Joseph D. & Rosalie Sullivan Katherine L. Cocciarelle Gust Kenny Memory F. Ward & Mary P. Paine Melvin & Carol Suokas Dean Cole Daniel A. Kessler Mrs. William A. Paine Jack & Margot Taratuta Donna & Thomas Cole Randy & Linda Kessler Dennis & Karen Palmer Frank L. & Rose Marie Dr. Ward & Josephine Cole Reino Keto William & Jennie Pandy Taucher (dec.) Fred & Benita Cole Peter Kinnunen Memory George Parrish Dorothy & Walter Tervo Glen & Erin Cole Charles L. & Judith B. Klima John Pastore Memory Paul Tesanovich Fred Cole Memory Ted Kokko Memory (by Sherrill Kovach) Barbara James Thornton Memory Henry Combellack Memory Diane J. Koskela Harold Pellosmaa (dec.) Lawrence & Suzanne Tinti Corinne Chaput Coombe Rueben Kovala Robert J. Pemberton Patrick W. & Hilary Tormala Copper Range Historical Society David J. Krause Frank & Margaret Perlich Glenn Tredinnick Ann M. Pintar Cote (dec.) Edith Kuopus (dec.) John J. Perlich Richard & Barbara Trudgeon William & Julie Cowling (dec.) Lucie Garnero Plowe Kuras Christine & Dennis Perry W. Allan & Linda L. Tuomaala Alex DeForge Craig B. & Jeanne K. Kurtz Darryl & Marcelline A. Perry Reino Tuominen Virgil Del Ghingaro Gregory W. Kyle Mr. & Mrs. Rodney K. Pertile Dr. George & Alice Ulch Mary Gibbs Deloria Tauno, Jr & Pam Kyllonen* Arlene Peterson UP Engineers & Architects Carl & Jane Dragovich (dec.) Kathryn Land Douglas Peterson UPPCO (Houghton) DSS & A Div., SLHTS Janet H. Larson Raymond & Janice Peterson Dr. Brad J. & Brandi Uren James & Marie Coombe Dunstan Roger & Wanda Larson Lillian Hall Pinch Douglas & Kathleen Vettori Jane L. Dykowski John J.awrey Chester & Debbie Pindral Emily Vettori Dominic & Susan Feira John M. & Karla J. Lawton Marilyn F. Pinkerton William E. Vettori Ronald M. Findlay Charles D. Lawton, Jr. Anton J. Pintar John Vettori Memory Mayme E. Frantti (dec.) Craig C. Lazzeri Douglas J. Pintar (by Emily Cowling Vettori) Dan & Dee Frost R. Douglas Learmont James & Jenness (dec.) Pintar Norma Vezzetti (dec.) Jim Fruehauf Robert A. Learmont Joseph Pintar Harold & Evelyn Vincent (dec.) Bill & Nancy Williams Gaggioli Anna Kerttu Lehmann (dec.) Robert & Sandra Rantamaki William & Jeanne Vincent, Jr (Memory of Harry Williams)* Peter A. & Marian C. LeMere Pintar John F. Wahlers Debbie Sergey Gagnon Bruce & Peggy Isaacson Thomas Pintar June D. Tapani Waisanen (dec.) Carol Genutis Letvenow Post #1291 Portage VFW Elaine Wildman Anita J. Wirtanen Gerich Steven C. Leuthold Family Elaine & Joe (dec.) Putrich Francis & Carol Willmes James Teague & Diane Gourd Foundation Lou Ellen Putrich William R. & Karen L. Winter Cheryl A. & Steven Graves Mary C. Lewis Ralph Raffaelli Memory Irene Kangas Woldring Janet K. Gregorich Duffy & Bill Liddicoat Range Lions Club Milan C. Wolf Mary Gregorich (dec.) Wilma Lindberg (dec.) Lloyd Recore, Sr. Memory Bonnie Wolff Rudy & Ann Gregorich Memory Evelyn M. Lishinski (by Ursula Recore) Steven & Joy Yambor Thomas Gregorich Memory (by Audrey Peterson) Dorothy Coombe Reeser Geoffrey Yandl Michael C. Groeneveld Donald J. Richards Arnold David Ypparila * New Lifetime Members 7 Painesdale Mine & Shaft, Inc. PO Box 332 Painesdale MI 49955

Painesdale Mine & Shaft, Inc.

Newsletter-Spring 2018