Native American

The Legend of John Hulbert’s Gold

/ mikelbclassen / Leave a comment
The Sturgeon River Gorge can be seen from the top of Silver Mountain.

The view from the top of Silver Mountain looking east.

From time to time, I come across unusual tales about lost finds of precious metals. The Upper Peninsula of Michigan is well known for its mineral wealth. The same geological processes that make copper also create gold and silver. They are often found together. It is not unusual to read that the copper mines were also producing considerable silver. In the 1800s there was a small gold rush around Negaunee and Ishpeming with over 30 mines producing gold.

Consequently, it is not unusual to hear a tale of a trapper or logger stumbling across nuggets or a vein of rich minerals. Tales of lost gold and silver come to light every now and then.

I came across this story in an old newspaper. It is an interesting story and I decided I should reprint it. This is from a 1917 edition of the Mining Journal.

“Carries Secret to Grave

“Zeba Indian Claimed to Have Found Gold in Baraga County.

“John Hulbert Adams, known as John Hulbert, an aged Indian, died the latter part of the past week at Zeba, the Indian Reservation near L’anse. For a number of years he was employed as a timber cruiser.

“Hulbert is supposed to have found gold in the Silver Mountains and while his story was regarded by persons who knew him intimately as pure fiction, outsiders were inclined to believe him. So far as is known, Hulbert carried his secret to his grave.

“Prospectors endeavored to locate the vein without success. John was fond of ‘firewater’ but no matter how much he consumed he never could be induced to take anyone to the spot. On his excursions into the woods he was frequently followed, but with Indian cunning he would elude his pursuers.”

The Silver Mountains are west of Baraga and are part of the Sturgeon River basin. It is very rugged country. Stories like Hulbert’s keeps the dream of lost U.P. treasure alive.

A misty waterfall in Michigan's Upper Peninsula on the Sturgeon River.

The mist dances above the Sturgeon River Falls in the sunshine. Could it reveal lost gold?

Back to Homepage.

 

Shooting the Rapids with the Ojibwa

/ mikelbclassen / Leave a comment

Sault Ste. Marie’s Whitewater Adventure

Shooting the rapids with the Ojibwa was very popular around 1900.

Riding the rapids with the Ojibwa was a popular pastime around 1900.

Sault Ste. Marie and the rapids of the St. Mary’s River provided an obstacle to Lake Superior. The cataracts of the river cascaded for a mile and no large ships could make it over them. For the local Native Americans, this was no object. Using their canoes, they would fish the rapids. They were able to navigate up and down the river with relative ease. Sault Ste Marie was their home and had been for untold generations and were one with the river. For entertainment they would shoot the whitewater.

Pictured here is John Bouchet one of the Ojibwa Rapids guides.

One of the rapids guides, John Bouchet, a well known and respected Native American was one of several river guides.

When Sault Ste. Marie began to grow and passenger ships began bringing passengers and tourists to the area, The local Ojibway began taking those with stout hearts on a local adventure they would never forget, shooting the rapids of the St. Mary’s River.

The dock where the whitewater adventure starts.

The rapids pilot dock. The canoe Kingfisher is also featured in the top picture front canoe. In the horizon another canoe can be seen racing the rapids.

By all accounts, this was a wild ride. It was a mile of rocks and water, racing and tumbling, the birch bark canoes sliding over and between the rocks that could destroy the vessels in an unpredictable moment.

A view of the canoe ride from the inside.

Shooting the Rapids with a Native American guide poling the canoe through the rapids.

Eventually Soo Locks expansions and a dam built across the river to regulate water levels, riding down the rapids came to an end.

Shooting the rapids.

Shooting the rapids.

To go to the homepage click here.

Native American Ostracized for Revealing Sacred Rock

/ mikelbclassen / Leave a comment
Wabishkee Penas and the Ontonagon Boulder
Thomas McKenney portrait of Native that was ostracized over revealing the sacred rock.

Wabishkee Penas, the guide that led Lewis Cass and Henry Schoolcraft to the Ontonagon Boulder.

In 1820, Territorial Governor Lewis Cass went on an expedition through Lake Superior to the Mississippi River. The Michigan Territory at the time extended to the great river. Accompanied by Henry Schoolcraft and Douglass Houghton, the expedition had determined to discover the validity of the existence of the legendary Ontonagon Boulder, an object sacred to the Ojibwa.

When the Cass expedition arrived at the mouth of the Ontonagon River, they asked the local natives for a guide. The Cass expedition consisted of native guides and interpreters. One agreed to take them to the boulder. His name was Wabishkee Penas (White Pigeon) and he expertly navigated the rugged Ontonagon River for Cass and his men. Arriving at the boulder, Schoolcraft and Houghton were underwhelmed with the two-ton copper mass. They thought it would be bigger.

When they returned, Governor Cass gave Wabishkee Penas a silver medal for guiding them to the boulder. They then packed up and proceeded further with their explorations. When Wabishkee Penas returned to the tribe he was met with derision. He had done something unforgivable. He gave away the location of the great sacred boulder to outsiders. In a final insult, he was sent away, exiled, ostracized from his tribe, shunned by all.

Col. Thomas McKenney
Thomas L. McKenney wrote a 3 volume set on Native Americans of North America.

Col. Thomas L. McKenny, Indian Agent in 1826.

Six years later he reappears at the door of Col. Thomas McKenney insisting on seeing Governor Cass. Cass and McKenney was attending a treaty signing in Fond du Lac, (at that time, Fond du Lac referred to the western part of Lake Superior) Minnesota and Mc Kenney was the current Indian agent. McKenny had set up offices in an old hut. Wabishkee Penas was emaciated and appeared to have spent most of his years hungry. Completely friendless, Wabishkee Penas sought the one person that might still greet him with a smile, Governor Cass. Around his neck still hung the silver medal.

Cass met with him. McKenney had his portrait painted. The resulting portrait is the first illustration above where his starvation and silver medal can be seen. McKenny would release a three-volume book called the “History of the Indian Tribes of North America.” Wabishkee Penas portrait as seen above was published within its pages. For better or for worse forever enshrined in history.

For more information on Thomas McKenney, Click here.

To go back to the homepage.

 

 

Santiago, Last Chief of the Chippewas Has Died

/ mikelbclassen / Leave a comment

Last Sachem of the Chippewas Has Gone

Obituary picture of Chippewa Chief Satago from St. Ignace.

Chief Santiago and his wife. He is said to have been 108 years old.

Author’s note: The headline above says it all. I found this obituary in a 1911 copy of the Detroit Free Press. I was fascinated by the writeup of his life. I’ve reprinted this in its entirety.

“St. Ignace, Mich., Sept. 28 – With the death of Chief Santiago, passed away the most noted and historic personage in northern Michigan. From Chief Santiago the poet Longfellow gleaned much material for “Hiawatha.” In the lodge of Chief Santiago the poet spent much of his time more than a half century ago when in this north country in search of material.

A nice color Picture from 1906 of the St. Ignace Ojibwa Chief Santigo.

The last chief of the St. Ignace Ojibwa, Santigo AKA Santiago.

“Santiago was a devout Roman Catholic, his ancestors being converted by Father Marquette. The most cherished event of his life was the fact that he was present when the remains of the great missionary and discoverer were disinterred from the ruins of the old mission church by Father Jacker. From his chieftain father he often heard of the wonderful cortege of 30 canoes that bore Marquette’s body up Lake Michigan to the mission here.”

His full name was Chief Joseph Misetiago, called Santiago. It is said he was born January 1, 1812, but back then records were highly inaccurate particularly towards Native Americans. His descendants are many as it is said his grandchildren were too numerous to count.

Author’s Note: About the last paragraph of the Quoted Paper above, It says that Santago was 108 years old in 1911. That makes his birth year 1803. Most records have his birth at 1812, Father Marquette’s bones were returned to St. Ignace in 1677. It was impossible that SaNtiago was an actual witness to this as the obituary implies.

To go back to the Homepage

Historical Photo – Ojibwa Family – Sault Ste. Marie – Michigan

/ mikelbclassen / Leave a comment
Historical Picture of indigenous family of the Great Lakes.

Photo of Ojibwa Native American family taken at Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.

 

I recently came across this photo of an Ojibwa Family. Like so many, there is no identification of who they were. This was taken by photographers from Sault Ste. Marie around 1888 – 1898.  I’ve placed a close-up of the family below. It might make it easier to possibly recognize one them. The traditional cedar wigwam can be seen in good detail. This is likely a one of a kind picture.

Other Historical Photos

 

Historical photo of an Ojibwa family from Sault Ste. Marie in close-up

This is a close-up of the Ojibwa family in this rare picture.

Historical Photos – Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan

/ mikelbclassen / 1 Comment
This is a picture of a pair of unknown homesteaders near Sault Ste Marie, Michigan

Unknown homesteaders from near Sault Ste. Marie showing off their horses.

Two Homesteaders with Their Horses

Here are several historical pictures from the Sault Ste. Marie area, The first one is two homesteaders with their pair of prize horses. There are no names attached to this picture so we don’t know who this is. I do like the dog in front of the woman. Also, the front door seems to be covered with blankets or some kind of fabric. This is a great example of early homestead life.

Native Americans fishing on the St. Mary's River with canoes and nets.

Sault Ste. Marie Native Americans fishing in canoes in the St. Mary’s River.

Soo Native Americans Fishing St. Mary’s with Canoes

Taken from the Canadian side of the St. Mary’s River, these Soo native Americans are out fishing the Rapids. This was taken from an old stereoview. This was probably taken in the late 1800s. Though it is hard to tell, I think the Native on the left side is Jack Lapete, a well-known Lake Superior guide.

Years ago there was a railroad depot next to the locks at Sault Ste. Marie.

The train depot that used to be at the Soo Locks exchanging ship for rail passengers or vice-versa.

Sault Ste. Marie Train Depot at the Soo Locks

Back when trains were abundant, a railroad depot was located at the Soo Locks. This allowed passengers to embark and debark from train to ship in one location. The depot was located west of where the locks observation platform is now. From an old postcard image, with the car next to the ship, it shows three modes of transportation for the era, 1920s or 30s.

A Steamship called the Athabasca is captured by photographer Allan Fanjoy.

The ship Athabasca as it sails into the Soo Locks. Photo by Allan Fanjoy.

The Steamship Athabasca

Allan Fanjoy, a Sault Ste. Marie photographer captures the S.S. Athabasca as it heads down the St. Mary’s River. The Athabasca was built in Scotland in 1883 and then sent to America for passenger use on the Great Lakes. She sailed between Thunder Bay, Ontario on Lake Supeerior and Owen Sound on Lake Huron. It was one of three ships in a fleet that also included the Algoma and the Alberta.

Trout fishing along the river in Sault Ste. Marie.

A fisherman baits is line after pulling in a prize trout on the St. Mary’s River.

Trout Fishing on the St. Mary’s

Trout fishing has been a time honored tradition throughout the U.P. One of the reasons the Native Americans lived in the region was because of the abundance of fish. Even former governor Chase S. Osborn was known to enjoy pulling a big one out of the river. He even had a local guide come an get him if he had something special on the line and he would drop whatever he was doing and go pull in a big trout. The picture above shares a fishing tradition that continues to this day.

If you enjoyed these pictures you would probably enjoy my book – Faces, Places, and Days Gone By. 

Reverend Abel Bingham’s Journey of Near Death – 1842 Lake Superior – Sault Ste. Marie to Grand Island Through Pictured Rocks

/ mikelbclassen / Leave a comment

Reverend Abel Bingham Lost in Pictured Rocks – 1842

Author’s Note: Every once in a while I come across a first person account of the early days of the Upper Peninsula that takes a bit of my breath away. Some of these accounts are so vivid, that I leave the story original and in their own words. That is the case with this account of a journey from Sault Sainte Marie to Grand Island by Rev. Abel Bingham. Bingham is quite articulate and to try to paraphrase this would be wrong.

Portrait of Abel Bingham in his older years.

Rev. Abel Bingham, one of the early settlers of Sault Ste. Marie, a Baptist minister sent on a mission to spread his religious message to the Native Americans and anyone else that would listen. His fervor for his mission will nearly get him killed within the wilderness of Pictured Rocks.

Background: Abel (Abilone) Bingham was a Baptist minister  that lived in Sault Ste. Marie as one of its earliest settlers. He established a mission there and began a school for local Ojibwa natives. Bingham frequently traveled into the wilds of the U.P. preaching the bible to the different tribes. The Reverend helped create the first bible in the Ojibwa language. Abel and his wife, Hannah, were well known and well liked among the Sault community.

Abel Bingham arrived in the Sault in 1828 on a mission to convert and baptize the Ojibwa natives of Lake Superior. He was ordained as a Baptist minister. He had been a veteran of the war of 1812 and was shot in the head. Fortunately he lived and when the wound had healed he went back to the war.

He then spent time ministering to Native Americans in New York. Because of this experience, he was appointed by the Baptist Board of Foreign Missions as Missionary to the Ojibwa Indians of Lake Superior, then sent to Sault Ste. Marie. Bingham was instructed by the Board to “establish religious services and extend the benefits of the mission to all within reach of his influence.”

Bingham enthusiastically went to work as soon as he arrived. He set up a Christian school to educate the native children. He established a Baptist mission that held services for Native Americans and the European community. They would be separate sermons. For the first year, he left his family behind, but in 1829 he brought them to the Sault. On the first of April he set out on snowshoes through the woods to Mackinac so he could meet a ship. He returned in July with his wife and children.

Hannah Bingham wife of Abel Bingham ran the Indian School

Hannah Bingham, Rev. Abel Bingham’s wife. She kept the school and ministry running while Bingham was away on his missions.

His wife was reputed to be a good doctor and often attended to wounds and ailments that would crop up in the Ojibwa community. The couple had at least three daughters. They would all take over for the Reverand when he was away on his missions.

Bingham also began a campaign of intemperance and started a temperance society. This was aimed at both European and native people. The Sault it was noted, was full of vice and needed to find its way to righteousness.

Abel Bingham would frequently set out on expeditions at all times of the year in his efforts to bring the word of God to the Ojibwa. From the Sault to Marquette, Bingham would travel summer or winter to fulfill his directive. One year he did a 300 mile mission along the southern shore of Lake Superior. He was so determined that he worked with a man named John Tanner and Dr. James, a surgeon at Fort Brady, to create an Ojibwa version of the bible which Bingham would carry with him and distribute to the natives.

He knew many of the Ojibwa chiefs of the day including Shingwauk and Shingaba W’Osssin, Kawgayosh and Shegud son -in-law of Shingaba W’Ossin. Shegud would work with Bingham as a guide and interpreter replacing John Tanner.

A quick note here. John Tanner and Bingham would have a falling out that would devolve into Tanner losing his wife and child to Bingham who helped them get away from Tanner’s temper. Tanner, who was raised by an Ojibwa tribe, would later be accused of murdering the brother of Henry Schoolcraft, James Schoolcraft. He then disappeared without a trace.

 

In January of 1842, Bingham set out for Grand Island a trip of about 150 miles along the Lake Superior Shoreline. There was a small band of Ojibwa residing on the Island that he regularly preached to. There was a theory at the time that if the natives weren’t regularly taught religion, they would fall back to their old ways and they would have to be reindoctrinated. He had with him as a guide and interpreter, Henry Shegud, a companion and interpreter who accompanied Bingham on many of his trips. Bingham’s  account of that journey follows:

“Spent two days with the Indians at Tahquamenon holding services as usual. Snow had fallen during our stay, making heavy travelling for the dogs, who could go but a short distance without stopping. Did not reach White Fish Point the first day; feared our provisions would give out and felt almost inclined to return. But next morning, after taking a portage across the Point which lessened the distance, we found the traveling better, took courage and pressed ahead. Third day, came to a beautiful bay, at the mouth of Grand Marie River, ninety miles from the Sault. Being rainy the ice was covered with water, through which we had to wade the whole distance across. Next morning, passed the Grand Sable or great sand banks, stretching along the shore some eight or nine miles, nearly perpendicular, and from fifty to one hundred and fifty feet in height. The curious stacks of ice that had been formed by the restless motion of the great Superior on one side and the huge banks on the other side, presented as grand and sublime a view as imagination could paint. The heavy surf from the broad lake rolled in with awful majesty and dashed with tremendous force against the massive rocks.

Native American Ojibwa village on Grand Island in Lake Superior

The rare picture of the Native American village on Grand Island. This was Abel Bingham’s objective when he left the Sault.

“After passing the Pictured Rocks, we ascended the ledge and camped in a small ravine. We were within twelve or fourteen miles of the island, but could pass no further on the ice or beach, the lake not being frozen at this point, so must take to the woods. The travelling was so rough and uneven we were obliged to leave our dog-train, oil-cloth, buffalo robe and oil-cloth overcoat, let the consequences be what they might, strapped our provisions on our backs and continued our march till we came upon a hunter’s camp, so recently deserted that the embers were still alive and found by our compass that we were lost. I felt much uneasiness and concern; took my Bible and read the 41st, 42d, and 43d Psalms, which were the first that presented themselves. The word both reproved and comforted me. Spent the Sabbath here and held divine service, preaching to an audience of one. Monday, retraced our steps, descended a ledge of rocks into a deep ravine and made two or three unsuccessful attempts to climb the opposite bank. If we could not find a pass up this precipice, we must return without visiting the island, which would be very unfortunate, as we were now limited to one meal a day. My interpreter cast off his pack and snowshoes, commenced climbing and in a few minutes, sang out, ‘Here is a place I think we can pass.’ This was a small protuberance somewhat resembling a man’s nose, with perpendicular rocks on both sides of great height. Here we descended the ledge by letting ourselves down from bush to bush and found ourselves on Lake Superior again, within three miles of the lodges. It was excessively cold, with a severe headwind, so that, with my ear-caps and handkerchief both tied over my ears, I froze one of them going that distance. At 2 o’clock, found ourselves comfortably seated in Wazawwadon’s lodge, who was expecting us Saturday. Mr. Williams, an American living on the island, received us with great kindness and fed up our dogs, which were nearly starved while going through the woods. He also furnished us with provisions and everything necessary for our return journey. While there, held meetings at the lodges and at Mr. William’s house. Arrived at home much fatiqued; was absent twenty-seven days; preached fourteen discourses, camped sixteen nights in the woods and was detained one day by severe weather.”

 

Bingham would call Sault Ste Marie home for many years. His mission would flourish but the grueling pace would take its toll. In 1853 he wrote “As the white population of our place has increased, the Indians have decreased; numbers by death, and others by withdrawing from the place and going to other parts. And when the number was considerably reduced at this place I commenced travelling among them to bear the gospel message to them; and for several years I travelled somewhat extensively, visiting them at their distant locations; in the winter on my snowshoes, and in the summer in my boat. As both these modes of traveling required much labor and caused much fatigue, the chills of 67 winters have so far enfeebled my system that for two years past I have traveled but little. Yet I remain at my station and keep up my school and my religious services both with the white population and Indians as in former years.”

In 1855, he would retire and close his missionary school. After attending the opening of the Soo Locks, he boarded a ship and sailed to Detroit and then traveled to Grand Rapids. The land on which his missionary school and his home stood was sold. The Chippewa County Courthouse now stands there.

William's Landing on Grand Island in Michigan is one of the oldest places on Lake Superior

William’s Landing, Grand Island. The Williams family began a trading post there near the small Native village that also occupied the Island.

For more information on this story follow these links:

https://www.jstor.org/stable/23169601

https://www.pccmonroe.org/audio/abel-bingham-missionary-to-the-seneca-and-ojibwa

https://quod.lib.umich.edu/b/bhlead/umich-bhl-851002?view=text

 

 

New Release! Faces, Places & Days Gone By, a Pictorial History of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula

/ mikelbclassen / Leave a comment

My newest book, Faces, Places, & Days Gone By, is now available. The book contains over 100 historical pictures from my personal collection of Upper Peninsula images. The book is similar to what I’ve done over the years on this website with the historical pictures featured here. Each picture in the book features commentary and a look into Michigan’s past. Through the use of Stereoviews, cabinet cards, postcards and photo prints, there are photos from all corners the U.P.  I will be carrying copies at my upcoming events including this weekend in Escanaba. This is one you won’t want to be without and it is suitable for all ages.

To order click here: Amazon

Here are some early reviews of the new book:

“With his book Faces, Places, and Days Gone By, historian Mikel B. Classen has achieved a work of monumental importance. Drawing from his collection of archival photographs, Classen takes readers on a journey in time that gives rare insight into a vanished world.” —Sue Harrison, international bestselling author of The Midwife’s Touch“

Mikel Classen’s Faces, Places, and Days Gone By provides a fascinating and nostalgic look at more than a century of Upper Michigan photography. From images of iron mines and logging to Sunday drives and palatial hotels, you are bound to be in awe of this chance to visit the past.” — Tyler R. Tichelaar, award-winning author of Kawbawgam: The Chief, The Legend, The Man

“Mikel Classen’s new book, Faces, Places, and Days Gone By, belongs in every library in Michigan. And when I say every library, I’m talking about every public, high school and college storehouse of knowledge.” — Michael Carrier, MA, New York University, author of the award-winning Jack Handler U.P. mystery series.

To order click here: Amazon

NEW BOOK!! True Tales, the Forgotten History of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula now on Amazon!

/ mikelbclassen / Leave a comment

I just received notice that my new book, True Tales, the Forgotten History of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula is now live on Amazon. It is available in hardcover and softcover currently with the e-version in a few days. There will also be an audiobook. I know a lot of you have been waiting for this, so here’s your opportunity. As it settles into catalogs, it will also be available to order through bookstores.

Here are some of the reviews:

“Romantic ideas of the pioneer days in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula will fade quickly as these true tales of lawless, rugged, wild-weather, difficult times before about 1900 are perused. Laws were few, enforcement was scarce, violent events were often, and shipwrecks were many. However, opportunities to be a hero were as numerous and wonderful life-saving deeds of kindness and compassion are recorded in these pages as well. Classen does history an excellent service by revealing the truth. Sometimes we think humanity has advanced little. An attitude quickly challenged in these pages. Readers will feel gratitude for all they have today after finishing these tales.” –Carolyn Wilhelm, MA, Midwest Book Review

“Classen accomplished what he set out to do-provide readers with interesting and true tales about the U.P. He did not romanticize the history and told bold facts to enlighten the reader. The U.P. was uncharted territory with harsh beginnings. Captains battled terrible storms while sailing on Lake Superior. Corrupt entrepreneurs made money off the suffering of young women. Classen rang bells for unsung heroes. Much can be learned about Chase Osborn’s efforts-the man who became the first governor of Michigan from the U.P. and Peter White, founder of Marquette. So much can be learned by reading Classen’s book. It is highly recommended.” –Sharon Brunner, U.P. Book Review

Here is the link to order on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/True-Tales-Forgotten-Michigans-Peninsula/dp/1615996354/

 

Coming Soon! True Tales – The Forgotten History of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula

/ mikelbclassen / 1 Comment

I have just finished the rough version of my new book. It is off to the publisher awaiting publication. Whew! It always feels like a long haul when you finish a book. Though I feel all of my books are worth a read, this one is special. If you are a fan of this website, then this book is for you.

In this book the romance is gone. It tries to show many of the true hardships and facets  of trying to settle a frontier that was sandwiched between three Great Lakes. There are stories from across the Peninsula from first hand accounts to revelations from the news of the time. As always there are heroes and villains. There are feats of great good and dirty deeds of the worst kind. There are adventures of the most extraordinary men as they struggle for the riches of the U.P. well before gold was discovered in California. There are accomplishments of those that braved the wrath of the Great Lakes in leaking ships and frozen waters. The intensity of storms killed thousands on land and lakes. Over 200 died in one season just between Marquette and Whitefish Point. Often the Edmund Fitzgerald is memorialized, but few remember the hundreds of wrecks before it. You will find some here.

These pages are populated by Native Americans, miners, loggers and mariners that consisted of Germans, Italians, Finns, Swedes, French and English. People came from everywhere looking for their personal promised land. Some to raise families, some to avoid the law or to start a new life. Some to get rich no matter what it took. The Upper Peninsula frontier called to all.

This book is the first installment in what will be a larger work that chronicles the rare and forgotten stories that make the history of the U.P. what it is. Through research and investigation I hope to bring back many of the tales that time and historians forgot.

The U.P. of today was created by individuals that rose up to meet challenges that broke lesser folks. Their mental and physical stamina was that of finely honed athletes accomplishing feats unheard of in the modern world. They hacked homes out of a dense wilderness and raised families with danger at every turn. Many of these feats have gone unsung throughout history and through this book many come to light.

It is my hope that the stories contained within this book not only celebrates the struggles of the individuals that first braved this formidable and raw land , but honestly portrays their efforts to overcome the incredible obstacles that stood in the way of the beloved peninsula we now know. It was once a very different place.

Now available, True Tales, the Forgotten History of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula

Historical Photos – Homesteads of U.P. Settlers

/ mikelbclassen / Leave a comment

Pictures of homesteads past – early – mid 1800s

Historical pictures from the Mikel Classen Historical Pictures Collection

 

Early engraving of a first homestead.

Pictures of early settlers trying to tame the wild country of Upper Michigan is always interesting to me. I don’t have many of these early settler pictures but I thought I could put up a few of my favorites. Some have focus issues as with many old cameras, but they are still glimpses into that rough and rugged past.

This is an old homestead that was near Marquette.

Some of these old pictures show some form of home life. We are so used to modern conveniences and technology, seeing these old pictures shows just how rough life was. It is good that the days of mud, muck, and manure are past. Some things of the modern age are not over-rated, hot water, lawn mowers, garden tillers, all products of trying to ease this harsh life.

This was located near the Sault on the Michigan side. It is the home of an Ojibwa family.

Often we over-romanticize the past, casting aside the many realities of life on a homestead. Everyday was a chore laden struggle for survival.

This picture was from an old stereoview. This was another from somewhere near Marquette.

The brutal environment, the bugs, the dampness from the marshes, the endless preparation for the next winter, all made living from day to day, an amazing feat.

This is a picture from Manistique that shows an early family. Yes, that is a child sitting among the chickens.

I hope you enjoyed these little windows of settling the U.P.

Charlotte Kawbawgam, Native American Rights Icon

/ mikelbclassen / 1 Comment

Charlotte Kawbawgam – Marquette County – Michigan

A True Tale of the U.P.

Charlotte Kawbawgam who is pictured above is a U.P. Woman in History. This Marquette area Native American changed the rights of Native Americans in a profound way and has become nearly lost in time. I expect few have heard this story. 

Marji-Gesick, a Chippewa chief, was hired in 1845 by Philo Everett to locate valuable iron ore deposits near Ishpeming, Michigan. The ore was found exposed under an uprooted tree and the Jackson Mining Company was born. He was paid with a certificate of interest entitling him to stock in the company. 

After Marji-Gesick’s death, his daughter, Charlotte Kawbawgam, who was married to Charlie Kawbawgam, the new Chippewa Chief, found the certificate. Charlie and her met in Sault Ste. Marie and were married by the Catholic church. When the Jackson Iron Company refused to recognize her ownership interest, she took the company to court.

The Michigan Supreme Court considered the company’s claim that Charlotte Kawbawgam should not be recognized as Marji-Gesick’s lawful heir because she had been born to one of the three women to whom her father had been married simultaneously. Polygamy was prohibited under Michigan law, but permitted under tribal laws and customs.

The Court decided that since the marriage was valid under Chippewa law, it must be recognized by Michigan’s courts. Charlotte Kawbawgam was declared Marji-Gesick’s lawful heir, inheriting his ownership interest in the Jackson Iron Company. This was a landmark Michigan Supreme Court decision acknowledging that tribal laws and customs govern the legal affairs of Native American families.

Charlotte, who eventually went blind, remained married to Charlie for over 50 years and they lived in a house on Presque Isle in Marquette. The pair are buried in Presque Isle Park and their gravesite is still marked there.

The story of Marji-Gesick, Charlotte Kawbawgam, and the Jackson Iron Company is immortalized in “Laughing Whitefish,” a book authored by former Michigan Supreme Court Justice John Voelker under his pen name, Robert Traver.

To learn more about Charlie and Charlotte Kawbawgam, the recently released “Kawbawgam,” by Tyler Tichler explores their life much more in depth. It is a U.P. Notable Book.

If you would like to see more pictures from my historical photograph collection, go here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikel_classen/sets/72157630887269582/