13th Annual Pioneer Day – Saturday June 24th, 2017

Come and enjoy the 13th Annual Pioneer Day and Craft Show featuring the Great Lakes Timber Show with events at 11:00 am., 1:00 pm. and 3:00 pm. There will also be a historical lumbering exhibit in the Harbor Master building. The Whiskey River Black Smith and Forge will pay a return visit this year. Music will be provided by the Birdsley Sunshine Band and the Angry Beavers. 

WWI Remembrance – First Lieut. Harry A. Williams

First Lieut. Harry A. Williams. Photo courtesy Lynne Williams Miller.

FIRST LIEUT. HARRY A. WILLIAMS    

     Harry Williams was born on a farm in Cooks, Michigan, February 7, 1887 and was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Milton Williams. For six years prior to entering the service he was employed as a government clerk in Washington, D.C. In the fall of 1917, he entered an officers’ training camp near Chattanooga, TN., and was sent overseas in the spring of 1918.

     First Lieutenant Harry A. Williams, 7th Infantry, was posthumously issued a Silver Star Citation for action near Fossoy, France, on July 15, 1918. During an intense artillery preparation by the enemy, Lieutenant Williams voluntarily took command of a platoon of the company to which he was attached for the purpose of liaison. Through absolute disregard of personal danger and high qualities of leadership these men were safely conducted from their support position, through Fossoy, under terrific shell fire, arriving at the front line in time to assist in stopping the enemy’s advance. Read More...

WWI Remembrance – Paul & Charles Redeker

Charles Redeker (left) with his older brother Paul who is shown wearing the Distinguished Service Cross and the French Croix de Guerre. Photo Courtesy Don’a Nelson.

PAUL W. REDEKER

     Paul W. Redeker was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Redeker of Manistique. He was born in Manistique in March of 1897 and attended area schools.  In May of 1917, Redeker enlisted in the 33rd Michigan Infantry which was later federalized and became part of  Company M, 125th United States Infantry. The Distinguished Service Cross was awarded to Paul W. Redeker, Corporal, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action near Sergy, northeast of Chateau-Thierry, France, July 31, 1918. Corporal Redeker twice volunteered to carry messages from company headquarters to the battalion post of command through heavy machine gun fire and artillery barrage. He assisted in gathering the elements of the company together after the assault. He volunteered for every dangerous duty and in broad daylight, in full sight of the enemy, dragged wounded to places of shelter. The French government also honored Redeker with the Croix de Guerre medal. Redeker survived the war and graduated from the Michigan College of Mining and Technology in Houghton in 1926. He passed away in July of 1956 at age 59 and is buried in Fairview Cemetery. Read More...