Walter Ottosen – Manistique Light Keeper

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Walter Ottosen circa 1920. Photo courtesy Carol Dixson

           Manistique’s longest serving light keeper, Walter Ottosen, was born at Washington Island, Wisconsin on July 18, 1876. He was the youngest of three surviving children born to Danish immigrants, Lars Peter Ottosen and Marie (Nielson) Ottosen. Walter’s siblings included eight year old George and four year old Morris. Walter never knew his mother who died when he was a small child in October of 1878.

            Lars Ottosen worked as a cooper, making barrels for fishermen to preserve their catch in salt brine. Unable to both care for his young family and earn a living, Ottosen sailed to Rowley’s Bay on the Door Peninsula. There he found Christine Pedersen and convinced her to return with him to Washington Island to care for his three young sons. Christine and the boys bonded almost immediately, forming a loving and nurturing relationship. Lars and Christine were married less than a month later on July 4, 1879. Read More...

The Chicago Lumbering Co. Mill Fire – December 14, 1907

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The Chicago Lumbering Company Mill built in 1876 and destroyed by fire on Dec. 14, 1907.

The Chicago Lumbering Company mill built in 1876 and destroyed by fire on Dec. 14, 1907.

           During the evening hours of Saturday, December 14, 1907, a fire broke out at the Chicago Lumbering Company mill. The cause of the fire was the overheating of the friction feed and was quickly spread by the belts to all parts of the mill. The timbers which had for years been soaked with black oil provided a ready fuel for the fire. In less than ten minutes, the entire structure was engulfed in flames. The timing of the fire was ironic, as the mill was scheduled to be shut down for the winter season at midnight on the evening that it was destroyed. The plant was one of the oldest landmarks in the city, dating back to 1876 when the population numbered only a few hundred people. Read More...

The Spanish Influenza of 1918-1919

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On December 6, 1918, the third floor of the Cookson-Leroy Hardware building was converted to an emergency hospital to care for those suffering with influenza.

On December 6, 1918, the third floor of the Cookson-Leroy Hardware building was converted to an emergency hospital to care for those suffering with influenza.

           During the fall of 1918 the arrival of “flu season” was closely monitored by public health officials in Schoolcraft County. The so-called Spanish influenza pandemic had begun simultaneously in Europe, Asia and the United States and quickly spread around the globe. An estimated 25 percent of Americans came down with the flu and 675,000 Americans died.

            The Pioneer Tribune reported that the influenza cases experienced here in October and early November of 1918 were relatively few and quite mild.  Meanwhile, the end of the war in Europe on November 11th was cause for a euphoric celebration in Manistique. The factory whistles blew and church and fire bells tolled throughout the city. Mayor William Middlebrook declared a public holiday with businesses and factories closing for the day. Citizens thronged the streets to watch a parade featuring local bands and the Red Cross. Read More...

Will Montgomery and the “Sunday Sun”

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William F. Montgomery, Editor of the “Sunday Sun” Photo courtesy of Susan Cucchiarella

William F. Montgomery, Editor of the “Sunday Sun”
Photo courtesy of Susan Cucchiarella

           During the late 1880’s Will Momtgomery and the Sunday Sun, provided an alternative newspaper voice to that of the more established Semi-Weekly Pioneer. The spirited newspaper rivalry between the Sun and the Pioneer lasted just four years, but was one of the strangest ever recorded.

           Will Montgomery was born on August 31, 1857 in Kokomo, Indiana—the eldest of four children born to Seymour and Elizabeth Montgomery.  Montgomery’s father was a respected newspaper editor in Mishawaka, Indiana. By age 11, Will had joined his father’s business as a typesetter at the Mishawaka Enterprise. Read More...