Presque Isle and Alpena History

In the News... Built in a Day

2010-10-08T10:54:00.000-07:00

According to this article from the June 11, 1913 edition of the Nevada State Journal (Reno, NV), a 250-mile stretch of the future US-23, between Bay City and Mackinaw City, was built in ONE day by the hardworking citizens of Northeastern Michigan.

EIGHT THOUSAND JOIN IN ROAD WORK
Alpena, Mich., June 10. --

Eight thousand business and professional men and farmers in Northeastern Michigan made road laborers of themselves and constructed more than 250 miles of roadway between Bay City and Mackinaw City. Where there had been at sunrise mile after mile of corduroy road, sand holes and swamps [by] night fall found an almost unbroken stretch of leveled highway. The new roadway forms a part of the state highway from Detroit to Mackinaw City. The stretch built yesterday passes through 48 townships. Four thousand teams and 750 automobiles participated in the great bee. The women of the country also did their share of the work, 500 of them being engaged in the task of feeding the workers along the route.

From the modern perspective, it's pretty mind-blowing to think about - every man between Bay City and Mackinaw City voluntarily sacrificing an entire day to accomplish such a big task. Can you imagine what we could accomplish today if we were all willing to donate our time and work together for just one day?

The First World Boy Scouts Jamboree - 1920

2010-10-07T15:46:00.000-07:00

While spending hours searching through passport records, I noted that several of them were for a few preteen boys, and a scoutmaster, who were attending a Boy Scouts Jamboree in England in 1920. I figured this jamboree must have been a big deal with 8 boys and 2 scout leaders attending (according to a letter attached to one application, though I can only find evidence of 1 scout master and 5 boys.) So, with my mind gone off on a tangent, as it usually does, I decided to see if there was any information on the gathering.

As it turns out, the boys were participating in the very first ever "World Boy Scouts Jamboree," which was held at Kensington Olympia in London. 8,000 scouts from 34 countries were in attendance, and the event took place from July 30, 1920 through August 8, 1920.

I was able to find passenger records indicating that the boys traveled to England on the Titanic's sister ship, the Olympic of the White Star Line. The Olympic had, just that year, returned to civilian service after serving as a military transport during WWI, and held the title of being the only merchant ship to attack and destroy an enemy submarine when it shot missiles at, rammed, and sunk a German U-boat in 1918.

The Olympic in her "dazzle camoflauge" during wartime service

Traveling aboard the Olympic with Scoutmaster James Bennett, 31, were:

Ray Curtiss, 13, of 248 Washington Ave

Frank Scanlon, 14, of 136 State St

Howard Broad, 15, of 712 4th St

Archie Goodburne, 15, address Lockbox 123

Eldred Hall, 17, of 411 Tawas? St

(For photos of the fine young lads, please see "Passport Photos from the Past" a few posts down)

The ship arrived in the port of Southhampton, England on July 15, 1920. From there, they would have spent two weeks sightseeing until the jamboree began two weeks later.

The jamboree was held at the Kensington Olympia, in a glass-domed arena that had been filled with a foot of dirt and turfed over to allow the boys to pitch tents and camp. Another camping spot along the Thames River, where a few thousand of the boys were stationed, was flooded and evacuated in the middle of the night. The two-week event was filled with activities, flag salutes, and speeches from world scout leaders.

For excerpts from the 1920 Jamboree book, including the day-by-day itinerary, click here

After the jamboree, the boys toured France and Belgium before returning to America aboard the Haverford, which sailed from Liverpool on August 15 and arrived in Philadelphia on August 26. The Haverford, another White Star Line vessel, had also served as a military transport during WWI and was attacked by German U-boats twice before being purchased by White Star in 1920.

It is really neat to see how a few young scouts from Alpena were able to participate in such a huge world event - I'm sure it was quite the ordeal and source of pride for the town back in 1920.

Treasure Box Thursday!

2010-10-07T13:20:00.000-07:00

Hello Folks, it's that time of the week again! I'm always amazed that each week, there are indeed new items online waiting for me to share with you! Hope you like this batch of fun area antiques for your treasure box!

Alpena Hatpins

Hatpins were popular during the Victorian times, to add a personal touch to the giant feathery hats of the day. These two happen to be from Alpena!

More Hatpins

Mich-E-Kewis Beach Postcard

Imagine a time when one could pull their automobile right up to the water and park on the sand! Looks like a good time was had by all.

"Typical Lumber Scene" Postcard

I can't lie - I look at this very impressive sleigh load of 4113 logs and several men, and all I can do is feel bad for the TWO horses pulling the whole darn thing!

D. Des Jardins & Son Advertising Souvenir Plate

Advertising plates were quite common in the first half of the century - this one likely dates to pre-1920.

That's all for this time! Check back again soon for some new finds.

Passports Photos from the Past! (Installment Two)

2010-10-07T11:01:00.000-07:00

George J. Hassett
Born April 18, 1872 in Dublin, Ireland
Passport Issued February 4, 1918
Traveling to France for U.S. Government Work

Harry Gunvald Helgeson
Born June 8, 1893 in Alpena
Father: Ole Helgeson
Passport Issued July 6, 1918
Traveling aboard the S.S. Rockingham to work as a wireless radio operator

Charles R. Henry
Born December 29, 1856 in Macon Twp, Michigan
Father: John Henry, born in New York
Passport Issued Feb 3, 1921
Attorney-at-Law traveling to Cuba on vacation

Lorentz C. Johnson
Born August 8, 1855 in Florsten, Norway
Father: John Johnson, born in Sweden
Passport Issued August 7, 1922
Traveling to Norway, Sweden, and Denmark to visit relatives

Florian J. Konjora
Born December 29, 1900 in Alpena
Father: Joseph Konjora, born in Poland
Passport Issued March 3, 1920
Traveling to England to Visit Brother in Army Hospital in Liverpool (brother Anthony B Konjora, born 1892, who was wounded Feb 3, 1919 and eventually died in 1927 at age 35)

Arthur G. Marlow
Born on July 4, 1862 in Little Harrowden, England
Father: Thomas Marlow
Occupation: Depot Officer
Passport Issued July 25, 1921
Traveling to England for a family reunion

Dr. William Kerr McCandless
Born on December 15, 1889 in Canton, China
Father: Dr. Henry Martin McCandless
Passport Issued March 24, 1925
Traveling first to England to attend the London School of Tropical Medicine, then on to China for missionary medical work

Rosario Miceli
Born December 20, 1870 in Cepatri, Italy
Father: Salvatore Miceli
Occupation: Merchant
Passport Issued December 23, 1924
Visiting Italy and France to Visit Relatives

Austin Leonard and Elizabeth Mulvena Rogers
Austin: Born October 29, 1855 in New York
Elizabeth: Born September 6, 1874 in Alpena
Austin's Occupation: Seedman
Passport Issued August 31, 1922
Traveling to England, Scotland, France, and Holland on Commercial Business

Frank A. Scanlan
Born December 11, 1905 in Sault Ste. Marie, MI
Father: R.R. Scanlan, also born in Sault Ste. Marie
Passport Issued March 20, 1920
Traveling to British Isles, France, and Belgium to attend the Boy Scouts Jamboree

Miss Marie Taber
Born November 3, 1897 in Alpena
Father: William B. Taber, born in Griffins Mills, NY
Passport Issued December 9, 1921
Traveling to Greece, Egypt, Syria, Turkey, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, France, and Great Britain to study abroad

Edgar Charles and Louise Julia Thompson
Born June 10, 1876 in Birmingham, England
Father: George Thompson
Occupation: School Teacher
Passport Issued June 23, 1919
Traveling to England to Visit Sick Relative
**Also has two more passports with photos from 1920 and 1922, contact me if interested**

Joseph Toth and Son
Born June 8, 1886 in Nemeth Lad, Hungary
Father: Joseph Toth, born in Hungary and living in Slavonia
Occupation: Dynamite Blaster
Passport Issued August 31, 1920
Traveling to Hungary/Slavonia to visit parents
**Joseph's wife Elizabeth died a year earlier of tuberculosis/influenza, and they also lost a newborn daughter, Etta, in 1915. It was likely that Joseph and his son were all that was left of the family**

Benjamin Waller
Born October 24, 1866 in Saginaw
Occupation: Telephone Engineer
Passport Issued February 1, 1916
Traveling to Port-Au-Prince, Haiti to engineer telephone network

Ella M. White
Born April 29, 1874 in Alpena
Father: Thomas White, born in St. Lawrence Co, NY
Occupation: Bookkeeper
Passport Issued May 20, 1920
Traveling to England, France, and Italy to study and travel

Bliss and Harriet (Card) Stebbins
Bliss: Born April 21, 1865 in Vermont
Father: C.B. Stebbins, born in Vermont
Occupation: Farmer (in Presque Isle, previously made his fortunes as a hatmaker in Lansing)
Passport Issued October 4, 1920
Traveling to France, Italy, Holland, Switzerland, and England to ship home goods they had stored

Father Casimir T. Skowronski
Born Feb 19, 1886 in Janowiec, Poland
Father: Michael Skowronski
Passport Issued June 22, 1922
Traveling to England, France, Germany, Poland, Italy, Switzerland, Austria, Czechoslovakia, and Yugoslavia

Passport Photos from the Past! (Installment One)

2010-10-06T09:56:00.000-07:00

Ancestry.com has recently added a collection of U.S. Passports from the late 1800s through about 1925. Many of these passports include photos, so I decided to comb through and share the passport photos I could find of Alpena and Presque Isle County residents. A few well-known figures are included, including Ella M. White of Alpena, wealthy Lansing milliner and first resident of PI Township, Bliss Stebbins, and Catholic priest of Posen, Father Casimir T. Skowronski.

These photos are actually really endearing - you can see half-hidden excitement in many of the faces.It wasn't just every day that one had their photo taken, or traveled overseas! Traveling overseas was usually reserved only for the very wealthy, so not many folks from the area got the opportunity in those days.

If you ever pose for a passport photo, remember - maybe some day your great grandchildren will be looking at it too! Hope you enjoy!

James Alton Bennett
Born Feb 3, 1889 - Passport Issued Mar 29, 1920
Traveling to attend Boy Scouts conference as Asst. Scout Master and to sightsee in British Isles, France, and Belgium

Anna Elizabeth Bleau (and two small children Gladys Rosetta and Albert Marshall Bleau)
Born Nov 23, 1895 - Passport Issued May 29, 1923
Wife of Joseph Israel Bleau
Traveling to England to reside with her father as his housekeeper

Frederick Heinrich Bluck
Born June 30, 1882 in Bochpol, Germany
Passport Issued Nov 27, 1922
Traveling to visit friends and relatives in Poland and Germany

Howard W. Spratt Broad
Born March 4, 1908
Son of Leslie W. Broad
Passport Issued March 6, 1920
Traveling to attend Boy Scout Jamboree and sightsee in Great Britain, France, and Belgium

Mary Ann Carson
Born March 7, 1852
Widow of William Henry Carson
Passport Issued May 28, 1923
Traveling to visit friends in England and Ireland

Wilkie Nelson Collins
Born March 10, 1879
Teacher at Idaho University
Passport Issued on Jul 26, 1915
Traveling to England for business

Marie B. Comstock
Born April 12, 1879, daughter of William B. Comstock (former Governor of Michigan)
Passport issued Jan 19, 1925
Traveling to Italy, France, British Isles, Germany, Belgium, Spain, Egypt, Morocco, Holland on Travel

John Dehring
Born Jan 30, 1854 in Barlozno, Germany/Poland
Father: Michael Dehring
Passport Issued Mar 8, 1922
Visiting Family in Germany and Poland

Nelson W. Eddy
Born December 26, 1894
Father: Nelson M. Eddy
Passport Issued May 9, 1921
Occupation: Instructor
Traveling to France, Spain, and the British Isles as a tourist

Walter Joseph and Helen Gabrysiak
Walter: Born May 17, 1885
Helen: Born Feb 27, 1889
Passport Issued: Feb 24, 1922
Relocating to Kalyshan, Poland (once Germany)
Letter accompanying the passport (click for full size):

Mrs. Ovidia (Larson) Gjorud
Born September 1, 1865 in Christiana, Norway
Father: Ole Larson
Passport Issued May 11, 1922
Traveling to visit relatives in Norway

Archie J. Goodburne
Born on December 16, 1904
Passport Issued March 11, 1920
Traveling to British Isles, France, and Belgium to attend Boy Scout Jamboree

Henry Killmaster Gustin
Born on May 12, 1868
Passport Issued December 14, 1920
Occupation: Attorney at Law
Passport to be delivered to the Honorable F.B. Scott, United States House of Representatives (perhaps they were traveling together?)
Traveling from Nogales, AZ on the Southern Pacific Railway to Mexico for pleasure

Hans Haakensen (Hakens?)
Born on September 12, 1864 in Leer, Norway
Father: Haaken Haakensen
Passport Issued May 14, 1923
Traveling to Norway, Sweden, and Denmark to visit family

Eldred Orland Hall
Born September 18, 1902
Father: William C. Hall
Passport Issued May 1, 1920
Traveling to British Isles, France, and Belgium to attend the Boy Scout Jamboree

Maps, Maps, Maps!

2010-10-01T08:58:00.000-07:00

Part of the fun of history and genealogy, for me anyway, is imagining what life was like for my ancestors and those around them. The census records, death certificates, and other written evidence of our ancestor's lives are great - but I like to have something a little more tangible. So I've gotten into the habit of creating custom Google Maps (marking locations of people and places on a real satellite image) to see the big picture of the world our ancestors lived in. Who were their neighbors? What did their land look like? Where did they attend church and school?

I've already posted a map of the Metz Fire of 1908, which can be found a few posts down.

Another project that is very near completion and has been quite an undertaking, is the schools, churches, cemeteries, post offices, stores, and more of Presque Isle County as found on the 1903 Plat Map.

View Presque Isle County in 1903 in a larger map

The ladies from the Presque Isle GenWeb website, who have contributed so much to the project, went around taking photos of many of the sites on the map so I could add them. A photo will pop up for many of the schools, churches, and cemeteries you click on. A huge thank you goes out to BJ and Janet who helped with this!

Another project I'm just starting which is sure to be a long time coming is actually platting out all of Presque Isle and Alpena Counties - recreating the property lines of 1903 and placing markers on the exact location of the homes. So far, only Sections 1 - 12 of Belknap Township, Presque Isle are complete. Please check back periodically for new additions. On the sidebar to the left, residents are arranged by section, and if you click on a name it will take you to their home on the map. The map works best at about 2/3 of the way zoomed in.

View 1903 Belknap Twp Homesteads in a larger map

If you want to find out where your ancestor lived, but it's not on the map yet, check out Historic MapWorks which has an amazingly good zoomable scan of the 1903 Alpena, Presque Isle, and Montmorency Plat Book I'm working from. Please leave a comment if you have any questions, corrections, or want to find out where your ancestor lived. I'd be glad to help!

Presque Isle Co - 1918 Death Records Transcribed!

2010-09-28T05:51:00.000-07:00

If you check out my post from last week with the records from Alpena, you'll see what I'm trying to accomplish here by transcribing the 1918 death records for Alpena and Presque Isle Counties...for now I'll avoid repeating myself!

To see the database of 148 death certificates for PI County from 1918, please go here. I extracted a lot of good data like first/last/maiden name, death date, age, name of parents, and cause of death, but to see the whole certificate and additional info, visit Seeking Michigan and search. Death certificates are available from 1897-1920.

Here are the stats for Presque Isle County, during the year of the infamous influenza epidemic:

Total Deaths - 148

Accidental - 4 (3%)
Cancer - 5 (3%) *today cancer accounts for over 20% of deaths in the US
Heart Disease - 13 (9%) *today, heart disease accounts for nearly 25% of US deaths
Influenza - 25 (17%) *much lower than Alpena/national averages which were around 35%
Other Diseases (Scarlet Fever, Typhoid Fever, Cholera, Meningitis, etc) - 15 (10%)
Tuberculosis - 12 (8%)
Suicide - 2
Infants - 51 (34%)

In comparing these numbers to those of Alpena County, a few things stand out. First, the dramatically lower number of influenza-related deaths. Could this be because of the lower population density and fewer outside visitors? Perhaps. It could also be that, in the more rural Presque Isle County, fewer deaths were actually reported. One thing I definitely attribute to PI County's much higher rate of infant death is the rural location and lack of medical or sanitary resources nearby.

In the Victorian Age, there was a huge disparity between urban and rural populations, and the difference in available technologies and medical care was great. For example, Alpena and Presque Isle townships didn't even have electricity until the late 1930s, when Alpena Electric Light Company had already been serving Alpena since 1881. Also, very few in the farming community had automobiles at that time, denying them access to McRae Hospital in Alpena. Contrary as it sounds, very few farmers at that time even had horses, which were a luxury. Many farmers could only afford the more practical option of oxen, which could help with farm labor. Unless a qualified medical professional was in walking distance of those in peril, they were usually on their own, in a time when there was no internet, virtually no farmers had a secondary education, and very little medical information was available to the rural public.

Alpena Co - 1918 Death Records Transcribed!

2010-09-24T12:26:00.000-07:00

Over this week I transcribed all of the 1918 death records from Alpena County found on Seeking Michigan and compiled them into a database which can be found here. Presque Isle County is up next and should be completed by the end of next week.

Information included in the database is city/township of death, date, name, name of father and mother (when available), and cause of death. Maiden name, if available, is shown in parentheses after the married name. Information is only as accurate as written and transcribed - I tried my best! Additional information, including place of birth, address, spouse, place of burial, and more can be found by visiting Seeking Michigan and searching for the (free!) actual death certificate.

Why only 1918, you ask? 1918 was the year of the great Spanish Influenza pandemic (also known as La Grippe), in which many Alpena and Presque Isle residents, most of them healthy young adults, lost their lives. One family hit particularly hard was that of James Arbuckle, who lost his wife, a son, a daughter, and a grandson to the flu.

The numbers are astounding:

For the year, there were 304 death certificates available (*not all are included, May-August is especially sparse.) Of those 304 deaths, 107 were caused by influenza, making up 35% of the total number of deaths for 1918. This figure may be elevated due to the absence of records from the summer months during the "eye" of the influenza storm, but is generally in line with the national rate of 32%.

Before October, when the second and most deadly wave of the epidemic hit, the death rate for the county averaged 24 deaths per month. But in October, when the epidemic was at its worst, there were 56 deaths - a mind-blowing 233% increase over the January-September average. 78% of the deaths for October were caused by influenza. And November wasn't much better, with 51 deaths.

By December, the flu was still rampant but the worst of the epidemic had passed - the number of deaths was down to 36, with 44% of the deaths being influenza-related.

The second highest percentage of deaths, at about 20%, sadly belonged to infants who made up 61 of the 304 total deaths. Of those 61 infant deaths, 13 were stillbirths, 10 were premature births, 10 were caused by influenza, 6 were caused by cholera (of which there was also an outbreak in October of that year), and 5 were caused by eating/stomach related issues.

Leading causes of death for 1918 (based on the available information):

Influenza - 107 (35%)
Infancy-related - 61 (20%)
Heart Disease - 20 (6%)
Accidental - 17 (5%)
Cancer - 12 (4%)
Tuberculosis - 8 (2%)

Can you imagine living in a time where the flu caused 35% of deaths, and infants made up 20% of deaths, yet heart disease and cancer only made up 10% of deaths combined?

By comparison, here are current US figures, as released in 2002:

Heart Disease - 28.5%
Cancer - 22.8%
Accidental - 4.4% (virtually unchanged)
Infant Deaths - <1%

During the recent H1N1 (swine flu) outbreak, the P&I (pneumonia & influenza) death rate rose to 7% at its very worst. Once you comprehend the full magnitude of the Spanish flu outbreak, it's a little easier to understand why the medical community was so concerned about the swine flu.

I hope you enjoyed learning about this difficult time in our history, and hopefully some of you were able to utilize the records. Have a great weekend!

Treasure Box Thursday!

2010-09-23T09:53:00.000-07:00

Time for another new batch of antique and vintage memorabilia from the Sunrise Side! You can click on the links to find where to purchase, or click on the photos for a larger image.

Half-pint Ox-Bow Farm Milk Bottle

Currently available on eBay, this milk bottle from Alpena's own Ox-Bow Farm is old enough to have been turned purple by the sun.

1907 Postcard - Alpena Harbor

Sure looks different than the harbor of today, don't you agree? Instead of being filled with smaller sporting vessels, the harbor is filled to the brim with large steamers.

Very Old Postcard - Second Ave

It seems there are many postcards of Second Avenue in Alpena floating around, but this is my favorite of all those I've seen. This one seems to date back to pre-1910.

Humorous Postcard - Kissing Couple

Cute postcard from the late Victorian era - I bet this one was seen as quite "bawdy" in those days!

Lumbering Days Postcard

Seeing the millions of logs clogging up the Thunder Bay River back in the lumbering days never ceases to amaze! You can see Thunder Bay Island Lighthouse in the background, dwarfed by the piles of lumber at the mouth of the river.

That's it for now! Visit again soon for more new (old) items found around the web!

Interactive Metz Fire Map

2010-09-17T09:05:00.000-07:00

View Metz Fire in a larger map

With the 102nd anniversary of the Metz Fire coming up on October 15, I decided to create a Google Map for those interested in the subject. The map paints a picture of the events of that day and the widespread destruction caused by the fire. Included are the site of the train car disaster, the depot, homes of those killed in the fire, cemeteries where victims are buried, and more. Photos are included where available and relevant.

To use the map, find the area you're interested in and zoom in, or just click one of the icons. Information, and a picture if available, will pop up for that site, like this.

If you have something to add to the map, or a correction, please let me know and I'll be glad to include your suggestions!

Haunted Alpena Series: Agnes Lau of the John A Lau Saloon

2010-09-14T16:05:00.000-07:00

Probably the most notoriously haunted place in Alpena is the John A Lau Saloon. It is reportedly haunted by John's wife, Agnes, who is said to move glasses and tip over servers' trays, among other pranks. Her tragic life is certainly befitting of a restless spirit as I came to find in my research.

Agnes (Paddock) Lau was born to Franz Patock (Americanized to Frank Paddock) and Veronika Hildebrand in Neustadt, Germany on January 21, 1873. She traveled to the US before her parents and siblings in about 1892 at the age of 19. Her mother and father and siblings joined her 5 years later, arriving in New York on July 11, 1897.

In 1900, Agnes is shown living with her parents Frank and Veronika and siblings Johanna, Martha, Paul, Charles, Mary, and Anton (Anthony) on 729 Riopelle St in Detroit.   Her father worked as a day laborer, and she and her siblings also took on jobs as a dressmaker, cook, servant, butcher, factory laborer, and tailorhand to help the family get by.

Meanwhile, John A Lau, who had arrived in the US from Germany in about 1885, was living in Alpena with his parents, John (Andrew) and Anne (Grozinski) Lau, and brothers Charles, August, John C, and Bernard on 732 Long Lake Ave.

By 1893 or earlier, John had opened his saloon at 414 Dock St (now 2nd Ave) at it's present location. His brother August, a musician, worked as a bartender at the saloon. In 1897, August and his wife Mary experienced a tragedy of their own when their daughter Martha, 5, and son August, 8, both died of diptheria on September 23rd and 24th of that year.

On June 22, 1900 Agnes married John at Sacred Heart in Detroit, and they made their home in Alpena above the saloon. They wasted no time starting a family, and their first child John A Jr was born in April of 1901.

On November 17, 1903, John's brother Bernard "Barney" was struck by a railroad train and killed at the age of 30.

The Laus continued expanding their family - Alfred came in about 1904 and Magdaline in 1907. In February 1909, another girl arrived and was named Agnes, after her mother. Sadly, this baby perished of gastroenteritis (inflammation of the gastro-intestinal tract usually caused by the stomach flu) less than 5 months later on July 11, 1909. The 1910 census states that Agnes had lost another child at some point, though I have not yet found information on him or her. That's two children lost in 10 years, all the while with a hootin' hollerin' party going on nonstop beneath her home in the saloon below. Could this be contributing to Agnes' restlessness?

Agnes herself became sick with tuberculosis and eventually went to live with her family in Detroit. Sadly, she lost her battle on June 24, 1913 at the age of 40 and was laid to rest in Mt. Elliott Cemetery in Detroit. Though local lore says the children were sent away to a convent upon her death, they are shown living with their father, grandfather, and Agnes' sister Mary Paddock above the saloon 7 years later on the 1920 census. Could Mary be the second female ghost rumored to walk about the saloon conversing with Agnes?

John A Lau died in 1922 at the relatively young age of 52. John Jr. married and removed to Detroit, where younger sister Magdalene was living with him and his wife and young daughter Joann in 1930. John Lau Jr died in 1986, and Alfred passed away at Hubbard Lake in 1952. I have yet to find who Magdalene married and what became of her life.

If you are interested in learning more about the haunting at the John A Lau, be sure to visit October 9 for a dinner presentation by Kat and Bev, authors of Haunted Travels of Michigan, put on by Mid Michigan Paranormal. There are two seatings of 40 people each, one at 5:00 PM and one at 8:00 PM. The price of $55 per person includes dinner, a ghost tour, and presentation.

For more information:          Michigan's Other Side
Also see:                         John A Lau Saloon
For more spooky Fall Fun: Fall in Alpena

John A Lau (on the left)

image from official saloon website

Funny Friday: What is Going on Here?

2010-07-16T08:37:00.000-07:00

I'll let this photo do the talking while I ponder why this man is posing wearing a long skirt and holding what appears to be a large pumpkin in the air. Enjoy this silly postcard from Alpena!

Postcards to Pearl French

2010-07-15T14:23:00.000-07:00

An online postcard shop is currently selling several postcards addressed to Pearl French, born December 4, 1892 to William Charles and Jane French of Dafoe, Long Rapids Twp. They document a span of years and chronicle the times in which Pearl lived.

Postmarked Jan 17-1908

Miss Pearl French
RFD #2
Dafoe, MI

Dear Pearl,

How are you anyway? I heard you were not feeling very good. I hope you will soon be able to come down and stay for awhile with us. Answer soon,

From Katie Friend

This postcard was send to Pearl when she was a young lady of seventeen.

July 8, 1910

Miss Pearl French
Point Aux Pines, Mich

Hello candie kid, I am enjoying myself, am going to Hillman on excursion Weds, and Gladys also.

Ans(wer) soon,
A.L. Friend
Jean Shell

This postcard is from Pearl's mother, Jane French - likely right after Pearl left Alpena for Detroit.

Miss Pearl French
74 Adams Ave West
Detroit
Michigan

Jan 6 1915

Hello Pearl we been looking for a letter every day hope you are not ill again how is your neck Richard is able to be out but his legs bother him some. We are all about the same as when you were home hoping you are well. I got a letter from Ethel she got her ? but Elmer has not any work yet she says there is 10,000 men out of work in Portland.

from Mother

The "Ethel" Pearl's mother Jane is referring to is Pearl's sister Ethel French who married Elmer George Hibbs in 1910.

Pearl later followed her sister out west and married Ralph K Smith in Vancouver, Washington on August 9, 1918.

This postcard is from Pearl's friend, Mrs. Thomas Coombs

Dafoe, Mich July 14 (1916) -

Dear Young Friends,

Got home 10:30 Monday evening stayed at your mother's had supper was very tired but felt better after supper. Rich & Lizzie & Helen came down. Never was so happy to hear Alpena called out for I was so tired but I am feeling good now. Thanking you and Myrtle for your kindness. As ever your friend,

Mrs. Thomas Coombs

This postcard is postmarked October 11, 1918 at the onset of WWI.

My Dear Pearl

You will think I am ? answering your own ? Postal but I have been busy curing fruits and vegetables and I have a girl boarding with me and going to school. What do you think of the war? Is it not dreadful? William my son has enlisted from Pontiac. At present he is in Camp Robinson Military Barracks Wisconsin. I may never see him again. Ever your friend, E A Ward

Biographical Series: David Daniel Hanover

2010-07-15T11:31:00.000-07:00

This is the first of an ongoing series of biographies of some of the area's prominent residents. Please contact me if you would like me to feature one of your ancestors or someone you're curious about. Guest bios are welcome and will be posted!

Today's featured person is David Daniel Hanover, a prominent Alpena businessman. He was born in Canada in June 1861 to James Hanover of Connecticut and Hannah Brereton of Ireland. He arrived in the United States in about 1868.

By 1887, David owned a "saddle, harness, glove and mitten, and sporting goods" store on the corner of 2nd and Chisholm and lived above it. By 1889 he had partnered with his sister Elizabeth Hanover Barlow, and together they owned a dry goods store at 118 S 2nd Ave (current location of Country Cousins) called E.H. Barlow & Co. In 1891-2, their store had moved to 104 S 2nd (current location of Traveling Ladders.) In addition, he owned a second business at 101 S 2nd (now the JC Penney catalog store) listed as "Harness Mnfr and Dealer in Turf and Sporting Goods" in the city directory.

On November 5, 1891 he married Miss Clara Lehndorff, daughter of R.L. and Loretta Lehndorff, in Detroit. They made their home together at 212 S 3rd Ave in Alpena. Their one and only daughter, Myssel Katherine Hanover, was born in Alpena on January 26, 1893. Myssel was named after David's favorite racing horse, Missile, as I found out in one of Bob Haltiner's books. Sadly, Clara passed away at the age of 33 on September 20, 1895. David would never remarry.

In 1900, David and his daughter Myssel were living with his sister and business partner Elizabeth Barlow, who had married Edward Fisher the previous year, at 211 S 3rd Ave across the street from his former residence. Edward died before 1910, and after that Elizabeth and David continued to live together at that house until at least 1930.

David's only child Myssel married Stanley Wilson on October 11, 1914 in Detroit.

By 1920, David had retired comfortably at a young age. He appears to have remained with his sister Elizabeth for the rest of his years, perhaps too saddened by the death of his young wife Clara to ever remarry - especially when the close partnership with Elizabeth already provided companionship, financial strength, and someone to do the "womanly duties" around the house. In those days many men remarried simply because they could not take care of themselves, their children, and their homes without a woman around.

David passed away on June 4, 1945 at the age of 85 and is buried in Evergreen Cemetery.

His daughter Myssel had at least three children with her husband Stanley in Detroit, was back in Alpena living at 730 State Street (currently the Ferguson residence) in the 1950s. She passed away in 1987 at an old age.
(According to the State Treasury, there is unclaimed property of hers transferred from Comerica Bank in their possession, so if you are a direct relative you may want to check it out. It could be a safe deposit box containing precious family heirlooms)

If you would like to share something about David, please leave a comment! Hope you enjoyed learning about him and his family.

Update: In September, I visited John Henry's Antiques in Alpena and found a postcard addressed to Myssel and her aunt, "Mrs. Fisher" and couldn't resist buying it after learning all about the family!

Treasure Box Thursday: Photo Postcards, Alpena People

2010-07-14T14:50:00.000-07:00

Since there is a plethora of Alpena-related items available for purchase online, I have decided to share new finds every Thursday for "Treasure Box Thursday." This week, several new photo cards featuring Alpena people are available on eBay.

1. Girl Mowing Grass Postcard

This postcard features the beautiful smiling Pearl Chapman "mowing the grass on the campus." I believe this woman is Pearl (maiden name Male) Chapman who was born in 1902 to George A Male and Amelia Soper in Long Rapids Twp. She married John L Chapman on Mackinac Island on September 21, 1921, son of A.C. Chapman and Sophie Belanger. In 1930 she is shown on the census living in Alpena with her parents and her two children Betty L, born in about 1923, and John M, born in about 1924.

Also on the postcard are Majis Skeen and Byron Broadbooks in the background with the depot? further back. Unfortunately I cannot locate information on these two.

2. "The Brothers" Postcard

There is no name on this photo, but perhaps someone will recognize these two very handsome brothers from Alpena. They were cute enough to get their own postcard!

3. Alpena Baseball Team 1920s-30s Postcard

There are no names on this photo of an Alpena baseball team circa 1920s-30s. If you click on the picture you'll get a supersize image - see if you recognize anyone!

4. Moslem Temple Fraternal Card - David Hanover

This was an 1890s "calling card" of David D. Hanover, who belonged to the Moslem Temple in Detroit. The Moslem Temple i housed within the Masonic Temple in Detroit, which is a spectacular gothic structure and the largest Masonic Temple in the world. The fraternity seems to be an early version of the Shriners.

David was the very first owner of what is now the Center Building on 2nd Ave in 1903.

David is quite an intriguing character, so I decided to do some research and give him his own post here.

5. 1920s "Sun Bath" at Long Lake Postcard

This fun postcard features children with their mothers sunbathing at Long Lake. Do you recognize anyone?

Hope you all enjoyed the latest batch of fun things for your treasure box!

Wordless Wednesday: The "Alpena Flyer"

2010-07-14T08:13:00.000-07:00

Image from American Automobiles

(Click image for full size)

Tombstone Tuesday: Daniel and Sarah Carter

2010-07-13T08:04:00.000-07:00

Photo by Myra Herron

Daniel and Sarah Carter and their daughter Mary were the first permanent white settlers in Alpena, arriving on November 26, 1856, according to Bob Haltiner in "The Town that Wouldn't Die." This beautiful marker is a fitting tribute to these "pillars" of our community.

Maritime Monday: The Fate of the FAME

2010-07-12T08:40:00.000-07:00

In the book "My Recollections of Early Grand Lake," George H. Kauffman tells the tale of how his grandfather (and most well-known pioneer of Presque Isle Township) John Kauffman sailed from Germany at the age of 14 for the United States. Once arriving in Detroit, he got work on a bark called the FAME, and the ship headed north on Lake Huron. The year was 1854.

A storm hit, and upon rounding the point at the Old Presque Isle Lighthouse, the ship capsized and John floated ashore near one of the only structures in the area, a long wooden dock owned by Frederick Burnham. As the old story goes, though he escaped with his life, all of his money and possessions were lost in the wreck. With no money to continue his journey, he decided to stay put where he was and earn money bringing lumber down to Burnham's dock, where steamers would stop and pick up wood for fuel. John would settle in the area and remain there for the rest of his life, other than his time of service in the Civil War.

Fast forward to 1887. After escaping a series of over 10 other accidents, a ship called FAME flounders and is driven ashore at the Old Lighthouse. Finally incapable of sailing again, the ship is disassembled and her timbers are incorporated into the Old Lighthouse Keeper's House as well as rumored other structures.

Could this be the same FAME that had almost met her doom at this same place 33 years earlier? I believe so. According to the stats found at boatnerd.com, the FAME that wrecked in 1887 was built in 1853, one year before John Kauffman was shipwrecked. This accident is not, however, mentioned in the long list of close calls found on the site:

Lengthened 24 feet over the winter of 1853-4.
Stranded at Goderich, Ont, in Oct, 1854 and pulled off the following spring.
Stranded at Thunder Bay, MI in May, 1856
Struck by lightning in June of 1856 while all of her crew were trying to take in sail. All 10 injured, some seriously.
Collided with the bark SUNSHINE in Nov, 1856, on Lake Erie, with significant damage.
Collided with another vessel in Chicago harbor in 1857 with significant damage.
Capsized in a squall on August 17, 1858, 6 miles off Monroe, MI, Lake Erie. Her crew were rescued, but the owner’s nine-year old son floated off into the night on a plank. He was finally picked up 70 hours later, alive but suffering from exposure. Out of Sandusky, OH, at that time, owned by William Blosier.
Ashore at Eagle Harbor. Lake Superior, in August of 1863, and struck by lightning while being towed back to her homeport, Detroit. Owned by E.W. Hudson.
Sunk in a collision near Chicago in November, 1865.
Ashore on S. Manitou in May of 1866 with heavy damage. At least three other damaging accidents including a collision during 1866.
Damaged in a collision on Lake Huon in Sep, 1867.
Rerigged as a lumber barge in 1871.
Sprang a leak and sank at Sand Beach, MI, in 1885
As many as three other accidents.
Sources: mv,slh,nsp,letter,lhdc,hgl,usls,ledc

It seems very plausible that the "John Kauffman incident" could easily be one of those in the "as many as three other accidents" category. If one believes in such things as fate, this is certainly a stunning example. A ship which should have sunk in 1854 fights its doom - surviving accident after accident until it ends up in the same place it should have been in the first place - 33 years later.

A great man (well, boy at the time) traveling around aimlessly, finds his destiny when he is stranded alone in a place with next to no people and nothing but trees around him. And anyone who knows the history of Grand Lake knows it was his destiny - it is hard to imagine a history without John Kauffman in it.

The timbers of this ill-fated ship end up in the Old Lighthouse, which seems to be where they belonged. They became a part of the very fabric of the place, just as John was a huge part of the community. This beautiful "false island" seems to be where they were both destined to remain, and they did.

I have yet to verify if these two FAMEs were indeed the same ship - I've heard Bill Lewis is "the authority on all things FAME" so perhaps he has some conclusive evidence.

Hope you enjoyed the forever-intertwined tales of a man, a boat, and the place they both eventually called home.

John Kauffman Homestead

Old Presque Isle Lighthouse (by Flickr user jackdk)

Our Civil War Heroes - Presque Isle

2010-07-09T13:27:00.000-07:00

Because the lists are so long, I decided to create two separate posts for our area Civil War Soldiers. Here are the veterans from Presque Isle County.

PRESQUE ISLE COUNTY -

Presque Isle Township

John H Fulton, William Isaacs, Albert Edwin Dynehart, David Rowell,Henry Lee, Dorithe Gauthier, John Westrope, John Kauffman, John Millholand

John Fulton suffered gunshot wounds to the neck and shoulder, was completely deaf in his right ear, and was imprisoned in the notorious Libby Prison for over 5 months. William Isaacs was shot in the thigh and was completely deaf in both ears. David Rowell was shot in the thigh and was a prisoner for 3 months.

Allis Township

Joseph P Wickershaw, Robert Jones, Jarvis B Smith, John M O Smith, Charles H Johnson (widow pensioner Elnora), Royal J Taylor, Hiram J Hodges, Isaac VanHorn

Joseph Wickershaw suffered an injury to his left breast. John Smith contracted impaired hearing and rheumatism, Royal Taylor had "falling" of the mumps, and Isaac VanHorn had chronic diarrhea (often a permanent complication of diseases contracted during the war)

Belknap Township

Eli Crackett (widow of),? Sack (widow of), Henry Jacobs, William Schlaeger, and Christopher Adrian

Eli was shot through the right leg and discharged on surgeon's certificate. Henry had multiple (but unfortunately illegible) injuries, and William Schlaeger was shot in the left leg. Christopher Adrian had a back injury.

Case Township

Joseph F McNall or McFall, John Caldwell, and Ernest B Schmidt

Ernest Schmidt was receiving a pension of $16 per month because he was wounded by cars (train cars?) wrecked while in US service. "Shoulder broke and otherwise hurt."

Moltke Township

James Fitch, uninjured

Rogers Township

Paul Carnwin, Captain/2nd Lieutenant, Henry Platts, Corporal, William H Kitchen, Sergeant, David J Canant, John Bruning, Horse Farrier, William Dueltgen, Musician, Harvey L Parris, Sergeant, Robert H Pelo? (widow of), and William Hunter

Bruning and Parris were both discharged on general disability.

Metz, Bearinger, Posen, and Bismarck are missing from the census, though another list I found lists William Rose - Bismarck, Charles Meyers - Metz, Louis White - Posen, and Henry C Fuller - Bearinger.

Our Civil War Heroes - Alpena

2010-07-09T10:09:00.000-07:00

There were several old Civil War soldiers residing in our area in 1890, when the government took a census of the veterans. 25 years after the war, most still had severe complications from injuries sustained during the war, which are documented in these records. Those who escaped serious injury certainly still suffered the emotional scars of the death, starvation, disease, and cold that was their life during their time in the war. Please join me in remembering the courage and sacrifices of these men and their families as you read over their names and the casualties sustained.

ALPENA COUNTY -

Alpena - 1st Ward
Alfred W Smith, John H Ansell, William M Keand, Bowman Marsh (widow of), John J Clark, Frank White, Cephus C Miller, John L Cook, Charles F Neff, William D Rose, Edwin Wyman, Hugh Alexander, Herman A Kimball, Samuel Metcalf, John A Smith (enrolled as Andrew Smith), Charles A Lester, Chester M Denning?, Thomas C Lester, Thomas G Spratt, Albert C Rice, Charles L Maltz, Wallace F Wilshire, Daniel Wentworth, Frank Emerick, Don A Hecox, George L Robinson, Robert J Kelley, James M Rice, Thomas H Hunt, James Lewis, James J Plunkett, Nelson J Miller, William P Maiden, John A Kelley, Charles B Greely, Daniel M Coy, Fred A Barlow, Charles L Babcock, Monroe Klock (past mayor of Alpena)

No disabilities reported

Alpena - 2nd Ward

John D Patter, Amarossa? M Chaffer, Andrew Simmons, Arthur Irwin, Louis Partridge, Thomas Hardy, Dyer Wilson, James Whalen, James M Clifford (widow of), Edward A McDonald, _ Ashe (widow of), John McCash, Thomas Belknap, Robert Halloway, James H Hughes, corporal, James J Patter, 1st Lieutenant, William Demons, Hendrick Yigeon?, corporal, Rheuben W Platt

James Clifford suffered from prolapsus ani (prolapsed rectum) and Ashe disappeared during service. James H Huges had a crippled left leg. James J Patter was a prisoner for over a year but escaped.

Alpena - 3rd Ward

John Carr, Moses Charbonneau, Joseph Glennie (widow of), Martin Tyler, corporal, Frank H Northrup, George A Robinson, William J Hoey, sergeant, Philip Embry, Thomas Phillips, corporal, Courtance? Demerese, 1st sergeant, Daniel Carr (widow of), Denton Selleck, William H Phillips, Yeb Knight, Edward A Avery, Daniel Barker (widow of), George Johnson, William W Kennedy, David Reddick, John C Wallace, Thomas White, Lewis White

The bones in John Carr's left leg were shattered. Joseph Glennie died in Chattanooga Hospital 4 weeks after being fatally injured.

Alpena - 4th Ward

David Kindt, William Hamilton, Mark Andrews, John Troquor, Conrad Wessel, Louis VanSype, William Smith, Edward H Sine, John C Sheahy, William Whitlin, James Trodden, Henry C McKenzie, Albert W Wheeler

William Hamilton was shot in the right foot, Mark Andrews had a hernia or rupture, John Troquor had chronic rheumatism, and Conrad Wessel had an injury to the right side, making him physically incapable of labor. Louis VanSype abandoned his regiment. William Smith was injured in the right side, disabled and poor with a large family. Edward Sine lost 2 fingers on his right hand and was old, feeble, and in indigent circumstances (impoverished). John Sheahy was in poor health and incapable of hard labor and "of steady habit." Henry McKenzie was industrious but poor with a large family.

Green Township

Thomas Mc?, James L Shearer?, James Norolan, James Kimball, corporal, Simon Hawley, Horatio? A Green, George W Rose, Cornelius Spain, engineer/mechanic, Samuel J Nichols, Charles H Davis, John P Wentworth, Richard Scot, Ambrose Bryant

Thomas ? had chronic bronchitis, James Shearer had malanal poisoning (from malaria or typhoid fever), James Norolan had resulting liver and spleen disease, James Kimball had chronic diarrhea and injury of right leg, and Simon Hawley had chronic diarrhea. Horatio Green had pneumonia of the lungs, George Rose had heart disease, Cornelius Spain had chronic diarrhea, and Samuel Nichols had chronic diarrhea, malarial poisoning, and rheumatism. Charles Davis suffered from chronic constipation received while in prison at Bell Island, VA. John Wentworth had chronic diarrhea and Richard Scot was shot in the head and left shoulder.

Hubbard Lake Township

Simon Noble, Hiram Bennis, Warner Willsworth, John Ellsworth, Martin Begumin?, John Suefaul?, John Gooley

Simon Noble had inflammation of the lungs, Hiram Bennis had weak eyes, Warner Willsworth had chronic disease 8 years, Martin Begumin had a gunshot wound in the hip, John Ellsworth had weak eyes and throat.

Long Rapids Township

Benjamin D Atwood, John Samhain? alias John McClure, Gilbert A Smith, Thomas C Adams, David R Martindale, Daniel Hibner, George W Brown, John Snyder

Benjamin Atwood suffered a dislocated ankle and a gunshot wound to the hip, and Gilbert Smith had chronic diarrhea. Donald Hibner had piles (hemorrhoids) and chronic diarrhea. George Brown also had chronic diarrhea.

Maple Ridge Township

Peter Degloppa?, Lorenzo D Wyman, Joseph Kurtz, Soloman Erens

Soloman Erens had an injured back.

Sanborn Township

Robert A Tolan, George Plud?, Charles Bellmore, Oliver W Bressette

All four men had chronic diarrhea, and Robert Tolan also had kidney disease.

Wilson Township

Jacob Mushafer?, William M Barney, Oliver Hines, James Benson (Mary King, widow, remarried), Joseph Bartrow, John Ash, James Chamfrie?, Noble M Breckinreed, Anthony Kizar?

Jacob, Oliver, Joseph, James, and Anthony all suffered from rheumatism and William had chronic kidney disease.

If one of your ancestors is one of these men, be proud and grateful for the sacrifices they made to keep this great country together. I'd be glad to find more detailed records for you on any of these men - just ask!

*** Please leave a comment if you have any additions or corrections. With many of the entries misspelled and poorly written, they can be very hard to decipher.

Follow Friday: Seeking Michigan

2010-07-09T08:23:00.000-07:00

***"Follow Friday" is a theme where the blogger posts about another blog, website, or other resource that may be valuable to other readers of their blog.

Today, I'd like to share a wonderful source of information for those interested in Michigan history and genealogy. The government-sponsored website is called Seeking Michigan and contains millions of documents and photos chronicling our state's rich past.

Perhaps the resource most useful to genealogists is the large collection of millions of death records from the years 1897-1920. These are actual images of the death certificates themselves, which are a wealth of information such as birth date, death date, name of parents, cause of death, place of burial, and more. Doing a general search can be a bit tricky but the "advanced search" tool is very helpful.

Also useful to genealogists are enlistment records, manuscripts, and photos of Michigan Civil War soldiers. I have yet to explore these, but the images look great. There are also early photos, maps, and WPA (New Deal Program) Property Details.

Great resources for those interested in Michigan's history are oral histories, early documents, a collection of 400 pieces of sheet music by Michigan composers, information and photos of the Governors of Michigan, architectural sketches and photos,photos and postcards of the Lighthouses and Lifesaving Stations of Michigan, and a "Main Streets" postcard collection featuring postcard images of Michigan's downtown areas.

There are several pages worth of printable historic photos and postcards from our area lighthouses available.

Or, if you're feeling nostalgic, check out the "Look" section which has pleasant pictures and stories of days gone by by the archivists of the State of Michigan. (That will be me someday!)

I hope you have as much fun exploring this site as I do! Happy Friday all!

The Resort Days

2010-07-08T13:03:00.000-07:00

Our area is well-known as a tourist destination, and many of our outlying areas and lakes were exclusively resort areas long before permanent, year-round, settlement. Here are some postcards of the early resorts of our area. Some of them are long gone and forgotten, and some are still around.

ADRIAN RESORT HOTEL - Long Lake

Doesn't this place look grand? I can find no mention of this place in any of my books or online. There are no Adrian property owners along Long Lake in the 1903 Plat Book. Since this photo was taken in summer 1908, I can only guess that Mr. Adrian dumped his life savings and months of back breaking labor on this beautiful place, just in time for it to be destroyed by the Metz Fire a few months later in October.

BIRCH HILL HOTEL - Grand Lake

This hotel was built in the late 1890s and opened in 1901, owned and built by Joe Kauffman, brother of George F Kauffman who built the Fireside Inn. It was in operation until the 1960s. I'm not sure of the exact location on Birch Hill though I would assume it's on the site of the current Birch Hill Resort.

FIRESIDE INN - Grand Lake

This resort was built by George F Kauffman in 1908, at the pleading of his wife who had saved up $350 to build it. He was at first reluctant because his brother Joe already owned the Birch Hill Hotel and he did not want to compete with him, but eventually he caved in. They used their $350 along with the unlimited free timber around them and their own labor to complete the hotel. This resort is still in operation today, and I worked there every summer during my high school years.

PRESQUE ISLE LODGE - Grand Lake

This hotel was built in 1920 by Newell A Eddy, Jr - partially as a place to showcase the family's handmade furniture which fills the Lodge today. It was the 4th resort to be erected at Grand Lake. Despite being closed for a number of years, the resort re-opened several years ago and is a very popular inn for tourists and event venue for locals.

Two other resorts I can't find much information or any photos on are the Grand Lake Hotel and the Colony Bar. The Grand Lake Hotel was owned by Bliss Stebbins, and was eventually split up, then converted into a private residence. I know nothing of the Colony Bar other than it was one of the 4 original resorts on Grand Lake.

Treasure Box Thursday: Metz Fire Newspaper

2010-07-08T08:11:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, while surfing eBay for old objects from our area, I came across this October 16, 1908 edition of the Fitchburg Daily News in Massachusetts. It's a real, over 100 year old newspaper from across the country, and the devastation that had hit our area was the main story. This would be a great add to someone's treasure box!

Alpena's Red Light District?

2010-07-07T13:55:00.001-07:00

In searching for information about someone else I was posting on, I stumbled across Alpena's own little red light district...in 1910! I was always under the impression that such things would have been outlawed by those times in our small moral community, but apparently I was wrong.

On the 1910 census, two neighboring houses can be found in which the occupation of all the ladies is listed as "prostitute." The first home was located at 410 River St, very near the Civic Theatre. The madam was Belle A.(Salt? Sath?) She was born in about 1880 in Michigan and had previously been married for 6 years with no children born. Her "soiled doves" were Marie E Driscoll, 22, and Stella Tower, 22.

The next home on the census was 115 N 5th Ave, owned by madam Edna M Arman, 26. Her girls were Anna G Lemire, 22, Grace E Morrison, 27, Anna M (Heins?), 25, and Florence L Dawson, 21. Anna and Florence had both been previously married with no children born. This home is still lived in today.

Another place of business for the "ladies of the night" was at 202 Minor Street, which is also currently occupied. (I am so curious to see if the current owners of these homes know anything about their home's interesting past!) The madam at this house was Francis Moran, 35, of Canada. Her girls were Mildred Springs, 24, and Mabel Howard, 29.

If there were this many cathouses still in operation in Alpena in 1910, I'm very curious to know how many were around back in the town's boom-iest, in the 1880s and 90s. I'll definitely be checking that out next.

UPDATE: In scouring the 1880 and 1900 censuses for all Alpena females between the ages of 20-30 who were single, I could find no record of any soiled doves residing within city limits...or perhaps they were just better at hiding it in those days. It's also a possibility they all remained out at the lumber camps, and the practice hadn't made its way into town yet. I know they were around - any place filled with young single men who spend all day working hard in the woods and their nights getting liquored up is bound to have a few questionable ladies about.

Alpena Memorabilia on eBay

2010-07-07T13:42:00.000-07:00

You'd be surprised at the amount of Alpena memorabilia floating around on eBay. Pages and pages of historic items in great condition, and many times at great prices. If you're like me, and love to fill your home with old treasures, maybe there's room in your house for one of these nostalgic pieces.

Glass Beer Bottle from John Beck's Brewing Company

John Beck operated a Brewery in Alpena from about 1885-1918. From 1891-1918, the brewery was known as "Beck Malting & Brewing Co" so this bottle likely dates back to pre-1891.

LaPine & Cook Cabinet Photo - Victorian Woman

eBay is a great place to look for old photos of your ancestors. Maybe somebody will recognize this pretty young lady from the Victorian era.

Red Rose Dairy (Richard Weise Farm) Milk Caps

This listing is for 20 unused vintage bottle caps from fresh milk straight from Richard Weise's farm! Richard was a lifelong Alpena resident, born in about 1896. These milk caps are likely from the 30s-50s.

J Chas Wood Druggist Bottle

J Charles Wood was a druggist from Canada who came to the United States in 1883. In 1910, he was living at 404 Chisholm Street with his wife May. This bottle likely dates sometime between the late 1880s and early 1920s.

I'll share some more cool Alpena finds again soon! Hope you enjoyed these little treasures from the past.

Wordless Wednesday: Twisted Tracks

2010-07-07T08:50:00.000-07:00

If you live in the area, there's a good chance you know what happened at this site. Share your thoughts!

Using Maps to Paint a Picture

2010-06-29T13:47:00.000-07:00

One of the things I've been doing to better visualize what our area used to look like is using the 1903 Plat book and current day Google Maps to find where the homes/schools/post offices, etc of the day were on a modern day map. It helps to paint a picture of which people were neighbors, which landmarks they lived near, and where they would have gone to school and conducted business.

This week, in my Bell frenzy, I started a map showing what Presque Isle Township looked like in 1903. I will publish the link when I have more done, but here's the basic idea:

The colored rectangles are the acreage owned by the residents and the house icons are their homes. When you click on an icon, the description will pop up - the Bell School is selected for example. Upon zooming in, you get very detailed aerial shots and are able to see the exact locations of homes, outlines of old roads, and clearings where buildings used to stand. This tool has proven most useful in providing me with a picture of what the community was like over 100 years ago.

I'm also working on a broader map of Presque Isle County which includes churches, cemeteries, schools, lumber mills, and other landmarks. The focus of this one is more on landmarks and less on land ownership because it is so big. The map does however include photos of almost every schoolhouse, church, and cemetery left standing among other landmarks, thanks to BJ over at Presque Isle County GenWeb who is taking photos for me in my absence. I hope someday to plat out the entire county.

The process of creating these maps can be tedious and time-consuming, but it's well worth it to me because it makes it easier for us to relate to the people and places of the past when we're able to compare them against modern-day landmarks.

The Village of Bell: As if it Never Existed

2010-06-29T11:13:00.000-07:00

Many people in our area have heard of, or visited, Besser Natural Area off of Grand Lake Road in Presque Isle Township. Jesse Besser bestowed this land to the public in 1966 because it was the only virgin pine stand in the area that had not either been cut down in the old logging days or destroyed by the Metz Fire of 1908.

Most people know there is a trail, the old road that used to loop around the small peninsula at the edge of the bay, which is a popular destination for tourists and locals alike. Along the trail are a few reminders of civilization including a lonely stone chimney, a sign, and other scattered debris.

(images in this post from Flickr user bmcirillo)

There is also a cemetery, with only one remaining original grave, which was lovingly restored in the 1980s and given fences and one stone with the names of some of those known to be buried there. I am currently working with the current keeper of Presque Isle Township history to provide her the dates of death of these people and find the unknown burials. More about that later!

It is a very common misconception that the village of Bell existed entirely within the Besser Natural Area. That couldn't be further from the truth, as I discovered this week. In comparing the 1903 Plat Map against a current-day aerial Google Map, I found that most of Bell was actually found along the stretch of Grand Lake Road between the Township Hall and the Hide-a-way! The school, the post office, and most of Bell's known residents can all be found along that stretch of road. This is great news, because it means there's actually a lot more left of Bell than we realized. It means that those who built the historic farms along the road were citizens of Bell, and some of their homes are still intact!

When I decided to do something to find out more about these lost residents and the logging town they called home, I was very surprised and disheartened to find out that there is only a very small amount of information available on the topic. It has become clear that many people are interested in knowing more about the lost village of Bell, and I am very excited to participate in helping find and share information with the public.

Look for many more posts on Bell and the people who once called it home. I'm currently pouring a lot of my energy into the subject and will be posting my findings here. Follow me and be the first to know when new info is available!

Welcome!

2010-06-29T10:45:00.000-07:00

Thanks for visiting your brand new source for the history of Presque Isle and Alpena Counties of Michigan! I spend a great deal of time researching our area's rich history and am excited to be able to share with others who are interested in the subject. The current historians of our area are aging, and it's time for a new generation to step in and start caring about and preserving our past before it's too late.

I hope to form partnerships with the current keepers of our history and help bring it to a new generation through a new media, the internet. Combining the stories and knowledge of our elders with new records and technologies of today has so far proven fruitful and I can't wait to see what we'll discover.

Please, contact me if there's a subject if you're interested in and would like to see here on the blog! I love a good mystery! I am willing to help do genealogical searches online or refer you to someone who can help. Live in an old house or farm and want to know who lived there before you? Just ask! I can usually find out who lived at which address. Want to know where your French Canadian ancestor was born? Let me know!

Thanks again for visiting, make sure to "follow" my blog so you can learn along with me!

Katie