Manistee County Remember When 2019

ARCADIA

BEAR LAKE

ONEKAMA

KALEVAÂ

BRETHREN

MANISTEE

Manistee County REMEMBER WHEN 2019

A SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT TO THE MANISTEE NEWS ADVOCATE

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REMEMBER WHEN • JULY 2019

MANISTEE COUNTY HISTORICAL MUSEUM 425 River St. Manistee, MI 49660

Open hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday until Aug. 30 (days of the week vary by season) Visit: www.manisteemuseum.org Contact: Mark Fedder at (231) 723-5531 The Farr home - Jessie, Ethel and George on the porch with Mrs. Farr and Mr. Farr standing in the buggy, circa 1895.

The life of Jessie Ella Telford Farr

By Steve Harold Manistee County Historical Museum The following article was originally published in the May 11, 1985, issue of the Manistee News Advocate.

On April 16, 1855, in the mining town of Galena, Illinois, a girl was born who would eventually be called the “mother of Onekama”.

The baby was named Jessie Ella and was the daughter of A. L. and Sarah (Duncan) Telford.

At the age of 18 Jessie Telford would marry Augustine W. Farr and together the couple would be the dominant residents of Onekama for a half century.

Eventually the Telford family moved from Galena to Chicago and there A. L. Telford entered into a contract with a lumbering firm to operate one of their mills in the wilds of northern Michigan at a place known as Portage.

This was a water powered mill located near the Lake Michigan beach on the outlet of Portage

Lake about a mile north of the present channel.

After school was out in 1869, Mrs. Telford and her daughters boarded the schooner GRANT to visit her husband at Portage. Jessie Telford was just 14 years old when she first visited the remote area which was to become her home. She found in reality a logging camp with two mills, a boarding house, a company store, and several other buildings. There may have been as many as a hundred men working in the lumbering operations but only a few women in the camp.

Apparently the Telford family liked the remote area since the women returned each summer from Chicago. In 1871, irate settlers cut the new channel from Portage Lake into Lake Michigan leaving Telford’s water powered mill without water.

A. L. Telford moved his family and much of the mill to Morley, Michigan before navigation closed that year.

However, Jessie had fallen in love with the manager of the

lumbering operation, Augustine W. Farr, and the couple were married on Sept. 18, 1873, at Morley. The story has frequently been told of their wedding trip to Chicago via schooner when the wind refused to co-operate. The schooner took seven days to make the trip and the newlyweds were forced to board it, as it was reloaded to return to Portage. This time with a good wind, the trip was accomplished in one day.

As the Chicago firm cut their timber, they sold the land with the Farrs purchasing the majority of it. By 1880, the good timber was gone and the mill was no longer needed. At that point the Farrs platted the village of Onekama and the old mill town of Portage was abandoned. Over the years, the Farrs were especially active in the Congregational Church. Jessie Ella Farr was a leader of the Sunday School, presided over the Women’s Home Missionary Society, and helped organize the Young People’s Society of Christian Endeavor.

Jessie Ella Farr was very patriotic, proudly displaying the flag on all special occasions. During World War I, she organized a local chapter of the Red Cross, was active in the Clio Club, and taught numerous first aid classes. Music was especially important to her and she frequently sang at church functions and on other occasions.

Three children were born to the Farrs: a daughter Jessie on June 20, 1874; a son George Washington on April 14, 1876; and another daughter Ethel on March 10, 1880. Jessie Ella Farr died on April 29, 1934, at the home of her daughter in LaGrange, Illinois. She had outlived her husband by nine years.

All activity in the village of Onekama ceased for her funeral. Schools and businesses were closed so everyone could attend the funeral. In writing of her death, Ettie E. Kelley expresses the feelings of the community when she said: “One looks in wonder on such a life, beginning at the tender age of eighteen in

Jessie Ella Telford Farr is known as the “mother of Onekama.”

a wilderness land, and in a short half century bringing about so important a part of the present progress the while she was making her own home and rearing her own children. If it be true that ‘She is only half a mother who sees not every child in her own child’ then Mrs. Farr can in all truth be said to be the real mother of Onekama.’”

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REMEMBER WHEN • JULY 2019

Manistee CiviC Players 80th Birthday Gala Tom Richert and others in A Christmas Carol (2011)

Take a trip down memory lane with us

Saturday, September 14th, 2019. at the Historic Ramsdell Theatre, where it all began.

Dominic Naffie and Toni Trucks with other cast members in Fiddler on the Roof (1995)

Tom, Stege, Dixie Sorenson, Dominic Naffie and others in Guys & Dolls (1960)

Jennie Naffie, Blade Gates and others in Pippin (2017)

Footloose (2014)

6:30 – 7:30pm join us in Hardy Hall for cake and punch peruse the items in our silent auction.

Cash bar will be available.

7:30 – 10:00pm join us in the theatre for lots of laughter, some tears and a whole lot of entertainment as we take you through Famed Ramsdell Alumnus; James Earl Jones, our 80 year history. Pictures, videos and live with Peggy Futterer and Anne Wittig entertainment along with a few surprises!

If you’ve ever volunteered for the MCP on stage or Ben Hengy, Sandy Saylor and others in It’s a Wonderful Life (2013) behind the scenes you won’t want to miss this once in a decade event. Perhaps you’ve had a relative or friend who was part of our long and rich history or maybe you enjoy sharing the live theatre experience with your community. This is a time for fond memories and your chance to show your support of the MCP for another 80 years!

Tickets are $25 and can be purchased by calling 231-723-7188 or at the door the night of the GALA.

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BRETHREN HERITAGE ASSOCIATION 14300 Cart Ave. Brethren, MI 49619

Open hours: 1-4 p.m. Sunday Contact: Janet at (231) 477-5526

C.C.C. Camp #1665 was built in Brethren on the north side of Lake Elinor in the mid-1930s.

Brethren was to host Civilian Conservation Corps Camps

By Janet Stroup Brethren Heritage Association In an unusual press release 10 years ago, the Manistee News Advocate had a headline, “FDR and CCC Camper meet at Brethren High School.”

This surprising release stated that Franklin Delano Roosevelt and a Civilian Conservation Corps member would be dialoguing on a Monday evening March 16, at 7 p.m. in the media center, to be conversing about how the country had been in dire times in the mid ‘30s and how one remedy, the Civilian Conservation Corps, was initiated by various agencies of the U.S. government.

This presentation was to become the first in a series of “Living History” re-enactments provided by the fledgling Brethren Heritage Association to

dramatize significant historical developments in the Brethren area.

In an attempt to encourage attendance, the news release informed a bit concerning the nature of the C.C.C. Camp on Lake Elinor in Brethren. It stated that C.C.C campers learned discipline and cooperation through major projects initiated across the country, plus the campers were the first to be called conservationists. It added that one of the C.C.C. camp’s major achievements was to restore or reclaim land damaged by poor practice of farming, timbering and mining.

Three former teachers of Kaleva Norman Dickson Schools would be the presenters including Judith Minton, “a reporter”, who would introduce Donald Stroup playing the part of President Roosevelt who initiated

the C.C.C. program and David Hoeh, representing a C.C.C. camper of Camp #1665, Frank Pippin, one of the actual former Brethren C.C.C. participants.

Since this would be the first “Living History” presentation, the Brethren Heritage Association planners had no sense of impending attendance, but as the night arrived they were pleased to welcome a packed room of attendees from as far south as Ludington. Two unexpected but welcome attendees were Bill Sedler and Charlie Stendel, former C.C.C. campers who shared some of their experiences.

During the course of the evening the history of the beginnings of the nationwide C.C.C. camps was shared by President Roosevelt while Frank Pippin was able to inform the attendees of numerous happenings of one

particular C.C.C. camp at Brethren, Michigan, Camp Manistee River, #1665.

Much of the following information was gained from and thanks is due to David Hoeh, who’d gleaned considerable information about the C.C.C. Camp movement when he’d formerly prepared to represent Mr. Pippin and he was willing to share it for the reader’s benefit.

Initially the age of participants was set at 18-25, but it was later expanded to 17-28. Participants would receive $30 per month, of which $25 was to be sent home to their families most of whom were not employed.

The program operated from 1933 to 1942, one year less than planned. When World War II came to be, the C.C.C. program was terminated.

When, in the late 1930s at the height of the Great Depression, President Roosevelt initiated the program designed as a voluntary public work relief program which came to be known as Civilian Conservation Corps, he enlisted the aid of the U.S. War Department, the U.S. Forest Service and the Departments of Interior and Agriculture. Its purpose was to economically benefit families and was designed for unemployed, unmarried men.

In the beginning, their housing was in tents prior to barracks being built, so the first winter was a rugged one. The camp included around 160 campers

Some potential campers received their military style training at Camp Fort Custer in Battle Creek, Michigan. However, campers who were scheduled for Brethren went straight to the camp in 1934, during an intense winter. Camp #1665 was one of 57 C.C.C. camps in Michigan.

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REMEMBER WHEN • JULY 2019

The Filer Fibre plant in the early 1920s.

A photograph of American Box Board circa 1950s.

Circa mid 1950s and shows work ers of American Bo x Board moving piles of lumber using cranes.

Ten years ago, people signed a letter that was sent to President Barack Obama, with the suggestion, “We submit to you your consideration of implementing a similar program during this economic downturn.”

and officers, and was composed of four barracks, each housing around 25 campers. Clothing for the campers had been intended for WWI soldiers.

Camp Manistee River campers helped build up the nursery at Chittenden, clearing the land and developing specific seedling beds. One participant in Camp Manistee River shared the experience of clearing land infested with poison ivy. Not a pleasant experience as Hoeh recalled.

Seedlings were needed in the northern area since much land had been cut over for timber and had become subject to erosion. Many seedlings were eventually transplanted in this area near the backwater of Tippy Dam and in state forests.

Altogether 484 million seedlings were sent from Chittenden across the nation to C.C.C. camps. In addition, the first overhead sprinkling system was developed and installed in Chittenden to moisten the seedlings.

Besides planting seedlings, Camp Manistee campers built roads and a total of 500 bridges. Additionally, campers were enlisted to fight forest fires.

A typical day would start at 6 a.m. with revelry followed by military style calisthenics’ including push-ups and jumping jacks. Breakfast would start at 6:30 followed by 7 a.m. cleaning up of selves, barracks and grounds. Then roll call was done around the flagpole, a central structure in the camp.

Inspection was done followed by flag raising, and by 7:30 a.m. job orders were given out for the day and campers lined up for their assignments. By 7:45 a.m. campers were in trucks and on their way to be on the job by 8 a.m.

Hard work was rewarded by an hour for lunch from noon to 1 p.m. In some cases they had brought sack lunches, and sometimes lunches were delivered by trucks. By shortly after 1 p.m.

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1866: One of the area's 15 sawmills was founded in 1866 by D.L. Filer & Sons in an area now known as Filer City.

1915: Elihu G. Filer agreed to contribute land and $50,000 to the construction of a pulp mill in Filer City.

1916: Filer Fibre Company was organized.

1947: Filer Mill became a part of the American Boxboard Company.

1959: American Box Board Company consolidated with Ohio Box Board Company and Central Fibre Company including their Mapes Molded Pulp Company subsidiary to form the Packaging Corporation of America.

1965: A further consolidation Packaging Corporation of America became a part of Tenneco.

PACKAGING CORPORATION OF AMERICA Manistee, Michigan • 723-9951

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REMEMBER WHEN • JULY 2019

About 10 years ago, members of the community took part in a “Living History” re-enactment at Kaleva Norman Dickson Schools, hosted by the Brethren Heritage Association, to dramatize significant historical developments in the Brethren area

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5 campers were back on their jobs till 4 p.m. then were back to camp for showers or a swim in Lake Elinor.

Dinner (oh happy day) was scheduled for 5:30 p.m., then by 6 p.m. campers had the option for recreation or classes.

At Brethren, recreation included boxing, playing softball or baseball on one of the two diamonds, and swimming with use of a diving tower. Classes included orienteering, forestry, mechanics and English. On weekends if there were enough guys interested, a truck might take a group to Manistee to see sights there.

With generally a day of work ahead, 10 p.m. meant lights out to get ready for another full day ahead.

In a few cases, C.C.C. guys connected with local girls and eventually wound up with a bride. With the discipline involved in the camps, many boys who had lived unstructured and undisciplined lives in the city, learned valuable work habits and were more ready for employment when they left the camps.

Up until recently annual reunions for C.C.C. campers were held in some area around the country.

In the Brethren area, buildings of the

C.C.C. camp remained for some years, and the camp was utilized for various camps and conferences. The Association for Retarded Children held camp there, and the Church of the Brethren in Michigan held their annual district conference there in the mid-’50s. Eventually the buildings were disassembled for other uses and at this date nothing remains from the once much used and active C.C.C. camp. It’s likely that many recent comers to the Brethren area are unaware of a C.C.C. on the north side of Lake Elinor.

Many families were financially aided and work habits established for later employment by young men. At the program at KND 10 years ago, attendees were given the opportunity to sign a letter to be sent to former President Barack Obama indicating that the following signatures are individuals who have learned of the implementation of the C.C.C, program of the 1930s-40s. The letter concluded with the suggestion, “We submit to you your consideration of implementing a similar program during this economic downturn.”

To our knowledge, no such program has been initiated, but since it has been field tested with beneficial results, it might not be a bad idea to institute it again.

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REMEMBER WHEN • JULY 2019

BEAR LAKE AREA HISTORICAL MUSEUM 7750 Main St. Bear Lake, MI 49614 Open hours: 1 to 4 p.m. every Saturday through October Visit: www.bearlake areahistory.org

Contact: Joyce Valentine at (231) 864-3961 or Katherine Schafer at (231) 690-2210​ A view of Bear Lake with the high school located in the center.

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By Katherine Schafer Bear Lake Area Historical Society

The center of each community be it large or small worldwide centers on religion, education and industry. This piece will focus on education and how it unfolded in the small village and surrounding area of Bear Lake. We can salute the Bear Lake High School Class of 1912 with the first commemorative issue of a yearbook, which they gave the title of Sibylite.

The Sibylite, Volume I, is the first set of footprints from Bear Lake High School and was left behind by the Class of 1912 as each of them headed out on their personal journeys.

The Class of 1912 roll call included: Emanuel Christensen (class president), Irma Bowen (vice president), Pearl L.

Butwell (secretary), Ward Norconk (treasurer), Edward G. Norconk (editor), Bessie M. Snyder (assistant editor), Francena Cole, Marguerite Brown, Amy Flink and Ruby M. Chase.

One of the many subsequent constants at Bear Lake High School is the school colors which are identified as “Red and White.” The seniors were labeled as follows by their classmates: dignified Amy, gabby Bessie, pompous Ed, good-natured Emanuel, blushing Francena, smiling Irma, giggly Marguerite, practical advice Pearl, moody Ruby, and yawning Ward.

The administrators and faculty of the high school consisted of only two persons: E. G. Holmes, superintendent, who began teaching school right after his high school graduation — therefore acquired his “formal” education in the

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REMEMBER WHEN • JULY 2019 school of hard knocks; and Madge Herbison, principal, who earned her high school diploma from Ludington High School in 1908 then attended Central Normal in Mt. Pleasant graduating in 1910 — therefore this was her first job.

These two people taught, guided and engaged all of the high school student body which consisted of 59 students.

The Senior Class of 1912 carefully chose the title of their yearbook which is Greek in derivation, and the word comes from “Sibyline” which is the Greek name for a special collection of nine books dated about 500 B.C. The “Sibyline” contained wise sayings and the history of the Greek people.

In Volume II of The Sibylite, Archie Humphrey, BLHS Class of 1914, wrote an article about its meaning and at the end explained why it was chosen as

CONTINUED ON PAGE 10

Bear Lake High School Class of 1915.

Some Things Get Better With Time.

PROUD TO BE SERVING OUR COMMUNITY SINCE 1975

1940

Willys Quad

2019

JL Wrangler

“Our building long before it became Veach & Allen.

Stop in and see if you can spot the original meat coolers from back when it was a grocery store.”

Call or stop in today!

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1-800-968-4647

208 Parkdale Ave., Manistee, MI • 723-6528 • 1-800-968-4647

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REMEMBER WHEN • JULY 2019

Sibylite is the name the Bear Lake High School Class of 1912 gave the first commemorative issue of their yearbook, which continue for several more years.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9 the title for the school annual: “The “Sibylite,” or the title of this our second issue of the high school annual, is of ancient origin and has a meaning, which if known adds to our ability to understand and appreciate this annual. The word Sibylite like many other words of the English language is derived from the ancient Greek languages of centuries ago. In this case the word is derived from Sibyline or the Greek name for a collection of articles or books. The Sibylite like the Sibyline books of yore is a collection of wise sayings, thoughts and the history of not the ancient Greeks but of the students of B.L.H.S. who in publishing this annual

are attempting to unite more closely the home and school by acquainting the patrons with a history of our works and advancements during the year just past and with which this annual is closely associated.”

History of Bear Lake High School — Sibylite, Volume II, 1914 The following history of the Bear Lake High School was found in the second issue of the annual, written by Wilda Richmond, BLHS Class of 1915 (sadly Wilda died in 1916): “The first school held in Bear Lake District No. 2 was in about 1870. The school house was a little log house on the Erb farm, and Miss Jane McKinstry was the first teacher.

“Later the school was moved to what was the kitchen of Cody’s house. The teacher here was Mill Lillian Crowell.

We knew her as Lula Arner’s mother.

“In a short time a log school was build on Anderson’s farm. At this time the teachers “boarded ‘round,” a week at a time in a place. The teachers must have been perfectly lovely then, because the children were always quarreling about with whom the teacher would stay the following week.

“The next building was a frame structure located on the Tilson place. It was in the year 1882 that it was thought best to have the school house in the center of the settlement, so the people built our school house.

Then it only had two large rooms and one small one, besides the cloak rooms. Space would not permit mentioning all the teachers, but this history would not be complete without mentioning one who was a Bear Lake girl and a popular teacher. Many in the high school will remember Miss DuGanne.

“On April 24, 1901, the patrons voted to establish a graded school. In the fall of 1903 E. G. Holmes was engaged as principal. The following summer the school building was enlarged by adding an upper story. Also two more grades were added, making it a high school.

“The next year appeared the first volume of the Sibylite,

which was a success in every way. It was a pleasure to all, the pupils and editors as well as the town people, who bought it eagerly. Class papers were published monthly by each class, which furnished literary work, plenty of fun and material for the annual.

“At the annual school meeting in 1912 it was voted that we should have a library. The most essential books were chosen first. Also a library table and a dozen chairs were placed in the room, which made it exceedingly popular.

“At the opening of the term, agriculture was added to the curriculum as an elective. The high school had a social and bought about thirty chorus

CONTINUED ON PAGE 12

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REMEMBER WHEN • JULY 2019

er Domres Elizabeth Scholarship Winn -H County 4 Manistee

Manistee County 4-H “Magoon Creek Day with Nature” Event

Come and GROW with 4-H! For more information on 4-H programs, please visit: https://www.canr.msu.edu/manistee/index Or contact at our office at:

Manistee County 4-H Ambassador Emily Gardner

MSU Extension – Manistee County 385 Third St., Suite B Manistee, MI 49660 231-889-4277 E-mail: msue.manistee@county.msu.edu

Event, formanceiews, r e P e iv L 4-H Youthnion Animal Interv, Compa stock Education SU, M Live Events at n, ip h s n a m o Show tock Aucti 4-H Lives Clubs 4-H

Visit us at the Manistee County Fair!

August 13 – 17, 2019

Manistee County L A major fuand Atlas & Plat B ook nd the Manis tee Coun raiser for ty 4-H pro gram.

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REMEMBER WHEN • JULY 2019

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10

District #5 (which was in the Village) had made plans to build a fine large school house.

books for use during recreation hour.

The Sibylite, Volume IV, reported, “At long last in 1882, the new schoolhouse was completed on the present site.

This building has been added to and improved, to make our present schoolhouse.”

“During the summer of 1913 the School Board decided to have three teachers in the high school so as to give longer class periods and to admit of several elective studies. Also two more weeks were added to our term of school, making it nine and one-half months, which gives us more time to complete our work.

“When the high school was started in 1905 the enrollment was twenty-two. This year (1914) there are sixty-five in the high school alone. The large increase is largely due to the non-resident pupils.

The law that gives tuition to students from rural districts has done much toward this increase as well as to bring the advantages of the high school to some who otherwise would not have it. We need these pupils in our school, for they made it possible for more subjects to be taught and more teachers. The greater number makes more competition, enthusiasm and interest. The total number of graduates from Bear Lake High School is thirty-two, and of these twelve are non-residents.

“The first laboratory was established in 1905 in the small room adjoining the high school room. The equipment was small at first, but was sufficient to enable the pupils to electrocute frogs, dissect cats and such rainwater and flies through a rubber tube to start the siphon. When the laboratory was moved downstairs, more apparatus was bought each year and several collections, such as grains, woods, moths, bugs, etc. were collected by the pupils and Mr. Holmes. Dr. George Kennedy, of Florida, has sent several curios of much interest.”

Volume IV of The Sibylite was published by the Class of 1922 and, of course, Bear Lake High School was experiencing a bit of growth. The administrators and faculty of the high school now counted three

A journal of income, expenditures and meeting notes from school board meetings in District #4 (Pleasanton area country schools) began by John W. Allen in 1878 and was followed by other transcribers.

In 1878, a male teacher earned $120 each half school year and a female teacher earned $100 for the same period. By the 1890’s male teachers were paid $45 each month and female teachers were paid $40.

Finally in 1902, both male and female teachers earned $35 each month.

Bear Lake School

persons: Earl J. Finch, superintendent and taught Science, Agriculture and Manual Training; Edna H. Wolfe, principal and taught Latin, History and Mathematics; and Mrs. Ethel D. Chase, assistant and taught English and Sewing.

The student body numbered 65. The Class of 1922 included Latin whiz Elsket Baumler, chemistry whiz Ruth Bowling, conscientious Mary Burkett, sincere and sedate Lloyd Clouse (president), basketball star, singer, ladies man “Buck” Lloyd Conklin, good humored James Connelly (vice president), jolly fun loving Hugh Conway, serious practical “Boots” Nathan Freeman (business manager), quiet Jessie Goodman, organizer Dorothy Huntington, willing worker Russell Keillor, diligent and timid Cecil Lingg, modest Thomas Maker, trustworthy Clarence Mallison (editor), achiever Mary Marshall, friendly Pearl Nichols, virtuous Alvina Nurnberger (secretary-treasurer), proper pleaser Albert Olson, and popular with the women “Red” Lewis Wolfe.

The editorial in Volume IV was written by Clarence Mallison, editor-in-chief, and he writes: “Six years have now passed since the publishing of the third volume of the Sibylite.

During those six years many changes have taken place in the school; new students have come, and old ones have gone; the course of study has changed and the school has entered a new age. We, the Seniors of ’22, consider this an ideal year for the publication of the fourth volume of the High School Annual.

we are indebted also to our superintendent (Earl J. Finch) and our English teacher (Ethel D. Chase) for their valuable time and untiring efforts. And to those who have advertised in these pages, and to our subscribers we express our sincere thanks.”

The following comment was added by the Sibylite secretary, Alvina Nurnberger (who later became Mrs. Clarence Mallison and served the Bear Lake School as an elementary teacher):

“Owing to the fact that we have published no Senior class paper this year, the Sibylite has assumed a different character than it would otherwise have had. It is essentially a year book, and the departments are necessarily summaries of what has been accomplished by the year’s graduates.

“In all life’s days no others are so bright as high school days. Their golden memories enhance the radiance of sunny days and lighten the clouds when days are dark. That the friends, achievements and traditions of our happy days are Bear Lake High School may long be remembered this volume of the Sibylite is presented to you by the Senior class of 1922.”

“The success of the Sibylite we owe largely to the loyal support given the editorial staff by the class members,

In the March 19, 1881, issue of the Manistee Times & Standard newspaper it was reported that Bear Lake School

In 1891 a school bell was added on top of one of the schools in Pleasanton at a cost of $15.

In 1920, Mason, Allen and Bear Lake districts consolidated. We now have six up-todate school buses carrying the country students back and forth. By this consolidation, many improvements were made possible in our school.

The out-of-town students now have as good schooling as those in town, though a few people fail to see this point, as yet. A Hot Lunch Club provides the country students with warm lunches during the winter months.

This information presented was acquired from various sources and I must say a special “thank you” to Mark Fedder and Steve Harold for their assistance in guiding me to discovery of the Bear Lake area history. We are blessed to have the many resources found in the Manistee County Historical Museum.

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REMEMBER WHEN • JULY 2019

l e s m o S

Lumber Co.

Serving Manistee County Since 1925

In about 1919, three brothers, Harvey, Hurshel & Raymond began a logging salvage on the Manistee River using oxen, horses, steam machinery and manpower. In 1925 they named their business Somsel Brothers and operated a sawmill at 3 locations on the Manistee River.

Several years later, Hurshel purchased this 1927 Chevrolet truck to aide in the logging operations at the river and in 1931, Somsel Brothers opened their first retail lumberyard in Kaleva. In 1956, Somsel Brothers incorporated to form Somsel Lumber Company and is still serving Manistee County and surrounding areas as a 4th generation family business.

The truck eventually retired until 1999 when it was brought out of storage and restored to its original condition.

14261 Nine Mile Rd • Kaleva

231-362-3103

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REMEMBER WHEN • JULY 2019

OLD KIRKE MUSEUM

304 Walnut St. Manistee, MI 49660

Open hours: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on first two Saturdays of the month from July to October; 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursdays in July and August Contact: oldkirkemuseum@gmail.com; John Hanson at (231) 7232744 for tours outside open hours

The Earl Madsen Lumbering Camp dioramas are on display at the Old Kirke Museum.

Madsen Dioramas tell lumbering history in creative way

By Ruth Cooper Old Kirke Museum The Old Kirke Museum in Manistee is proud to have the Madsen Lumbering Dioramas created by Earl Norman Madsen on permanent display in its lower exhibit hall. Thanks to Earl’s grandson Eric Madsen, the following details of Earl Norman Madsen are known.

105th

ANNIVERSARY

John Wahr, right is pictured above with his sons Barney and Frank in the hardware section of Wahr Hardware

1914-2019

87 Division Street

723-8335

Earl was born Aug. 23, 1899, the third child of Hans Jorgensen Madsen and Ellen Nilsson-Dahlvig Peterson, who were wed on Aug. 31, 1895, at the Danish Lutheran Church, now the Old Kirke Museum, by the Rev. K.C. Bodholdt.

Earl Norman was only one of 12 siblings born in in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

The others — Peter, Elsie, Irma, Agnes, Leonard, Gladys, Everett, Elda, Clayton, Robert and Merlee — were born

in the Manistee area then known as “the brickyard” that became part of the village of Eastlake, Michigan, in 1912.

Earl spent much of his youth outdoors, hunting and fishing in what became the Manistee National Forest.

As a teenager he went to northern Minnesota to work in the logging camps. For wages of no more than $30 per month, Earl had to work hard and hold his own against men who did not respect him because of his young age.

The men came from many walks of life and many parts of the world.

An incident occurred when Earl had had enough of a Frenchman, who constantly picked on him. Without knowing who delivered the first punch, Earl and the Frenchman fought for close to 30 minutes one afternoon as the rest of the camp watched. In the end, and with both men exhausted, their differences were settled. Later

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REMEMBER WHEN • JULY 2019 that evening when both men arrived in the chow hall for the evening meal, every other lumberman stood aside and let Earl and the Frenchman go to the head of the line, showing their respect for the events that unfolded earlier in the day. Earl and the Frenchman never had another issue with one another.

When Earl returned to the Eastlake/Manistee area, he met Agnes Jarka. Agnes’s family owned and operated the Jarka Warehouse and Feed Store located on Arthur Street in Manistee. Earl and Agnes were married and had three sons, Joseph, Charles and Alvin. The family lived in Eastlake and then later moved to Manistee.

Earl was self-taught in the art of painting landscapes and portraits. He was also experienced at cartoons and many other styles of painting. His subject matter was his real-life adventures working in the

logging camps or other adventures of which he dreamed.

Earl worked as an industrial painter at Dow Chemical and also worked for the Michigan Highway Department. After he retired in the 1960s, Earl decided to carve, paint and build the dioramas. Considered his memoirs, they are a tribute to his youth and the lumbermen with whom he worked. His wife Agnes sewed the clothes for the figures based on Earl’s descriptions.

Earl painted the background scenery of the dioramas and hand-carved each of the figures and horses. He also built the sleighs, tools and all the lumbering accessories in the scenes. When he discovered that some of his horses were not to perfect scale, he carved new solid blocks of wood to ensure the correct scale. And he created horse’s manes using real hair he collected during his family’s and his dogs’ haircuts.

The men in the displays represented real men Earl worked with in the logging camps including the Frenchman, with whom he had fought, and Earl himself.

The displays were sturdily built for traveling to various logging shows and events.

They never traveled to any show and only ever traveled from the Jarka Warehouse in Manistee to their storage place in Onekama for the last 43 years. Two of the three dioramas were completed and were on display in the Jarka Warehouse until the mid-1970s. The dioramas were then taken to and stored in Onekama until June 2018 when they were moved and delivered by Alvin Madsen’s sons to The Olde Kirke.

Earl Norman Madsen died on Nov. 4, 1972, at West Shore Hospital in Manistee.

He was 73 years old. He rests beside his wife at Oak Grove Cemetery in Manistee. Their

Earl Norman Madsen worked in logging camps as a teenager in Minnesota.

son Charles is buried nearby, their son son Joseph in Spring Lake, Michigan, and their son Alvin near Bar Lake in Manistee County.

It was always Earl Norman

Madsen’s wish that the displays be made public for all to enjoy. That wish came true thanks to his grandchildren when they presented them to The Old Kirke Museum.

We have been happily serving Manistee County since our Grandfather Harlen Linke opened in 1941.

Linke’s Body Shop

423 Parkdale Ave. Corner of M-55 & US-31 Manistee • 723-7206

1941 1941

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REMEMBER WHEN • JULY 2019

Kaleva’s Log Cabin Theater has long history

By Cindy Asiala Kaleva Historical Society

BOTTLE HOUSE MUSEUM

The Paavola family, one of the first Finnish settlers in Kaleva, lived in the Log Cabin around 1900.

14551 Wuoksi Ave., Kaleva, MI 49645

It was located along Cedar Creek about a half mile south of Nine Mile Road. The Carl Asiala family of six moved into the cabin in 1908 and lived there for two years until their home was completed. The cabin is 20 feet by 16 feet with a main floor and loft, and is built in the typical Finnish style. The cabin was moved to the Siltanen farm around 1917 and was enclosed as part of their home.

In 1979, the cabin was purchased by descendants of Carl Asiala and moved to the Ponderosa, the families’ vacation farm. The cabin was never restored as intended and deteriorated there until 1997 when the family donated the cabin to the Kaleva Norman Dickson Service Learning class.

The Asiala family is pictured at a reunion at a the log cabin.

The cabin was moved to a lot owned by the village of Kaleva. Over the next two years, students from the high school class restored the cabin. The students, with mentor Doyle Eckhardt, took the logs apart, replaced the bottom tier and stacked the logs in order to rebuild the cabin. They hand cut cedar shingles, caulked the logs, replaced door and windows to the original.

The salt block of Buckley & Douglas at the east end of Sixth Street burned in 1920.

Ruggles & Rademaker Salt Company built their beginning in 1921.

In 1927, Ruggles & Rademaker built a new grainer block.

On December 22, 1930, the Manistee News Advocate announced that Morton Salt Company had bought Ruggles & Rademaker at a public auction.

1956 1956

Today Today

1941

MORTON MORTON SALT SALT

Sixth Street • Manistee • 231.723.2561 mortonsalt.com 180180 Sixth Street • Manistee • 231.723.2561

1956

When the question came up of how to use the cabin, the students remembered what they had heard during an interview of Kaleva elders. That is in Finland older structures often serve as the back drop for concerts and entertainment. This idea became reality in 1999 when the first series of Friday night concerts in August was held.

A deck had been constructed and the students built portable benches that were placed on the lawn for the concerts.

Today

Visit: kalevami.com/ Historical_Society.html Contact: Cynthia Asiala (231) 299-4484, Doreen Yonkman (231) 362-3471, Sandra Asiala (231) 362-3249 about the early settlers of Kaleva, jokes, music and Finnish folklore.

A committee of the Kaleva Historical Society arranges for the entertainment each season. They strive for a balance in the genre of music and attempt to meet requests from concert-goers and groups who ask to perform.

Myllarit, a group from Karelia, Russia, kicked off the centennial in the year 2000. In 2013, Satuma, a father, son and daughter quartet also from Russia was a hit. There have been groups from town who have performed, and others from Traverse City and Ludington, Manistee and Benzonia.

MORTON SALT

Local business sponsors and “passing the can” for donations have sustained the Log Cabin concerts for the past 20 years. The entertainment has ranged from local groups to a duo from Ecuador. The original drama, Songs of Kaleva, written by Micheal Asiala, was performed more than once due to popular demand. This play included poems written by students

When it rains, it pours®

Whenit itrains, rains, When ® ® pours it itpours

Open hours: Noon to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday from Memorial Day to Labor Day; noon to 4 p.m. through end of October

Today there are summer concerts in most of the surrounding towns almost every night of the week. However, outdoor concerts at the Kaleva Log Cabin have the distinction of being the first to be held and therefore the longest running. The community and village support as well as loyal sponsors are to be commended.

180 Sixth Street • Manistee • 231.723.2561

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REMEMBER WHEN • JULY 2019

The Painted Lady Saloon is the oldest operating saloon in town. FAMOUS BROASTED CHICKEN AND HOMEMADE SOUPS.

Students from the Kaleva Norman Dickson Service Learning Class restored the cabin after it was moved to a lot owned by the Village of Kaleva.

7 A.M. - 10 P.M. MONDAY - SATURDAY SUNDAY 7 A.M. - 9 P.M. SERVING BREAKFAST TILL 11 A.M. SERVING OUR LUNCH & DINNER MENU TILL CLOSE DAILY. CLUB KENO AND PULL TABS DAILY SPECIALS AND HAPPY HOUR

231-723-2487

The Kaleva Historical Society celebrated 20 years of concerts at the log cabin theater in August 2018. The Duo from Ecuador kicked off the season.

723 Kosciusko • Manistee

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REMEMBER WHEN • JULY 2019

The 1918 version of Arcadia Days

By Lyle Matteson Arcadia Area Historical Society When people hear “Arcadia Days,” they think of the annual three-day festival with music, food, beer, arts and crafts, an auto muster, a parade and more.

The program for Arcadia Days is a four-page document identifying the event’s topics, schedule and speakers. It also lists the prizes awarded at the event’s conclusion on Friday night. (Program courtesy of the Arcadia Area Historical Museum)

Program Agenda — Day 1 — Note the mix of lectures with musical interludes and readings. What we know about the speakers: E. M. Gerred was the county school commissioner. Henry Mauntler was on the Arcadia school board. Frank Sandhammer was the county agricultural agent. G. H. Coons of Arcadia was a plant disease expert. The rest were probably local except for Dr. A. F. Hess of Manistee.

Arcadia Daze, which will be held this year on July 26-28, is a community-wide entertainment event that also serves as a homecoming and fundraiser for several groups in town.

Arcadia Days in 1918 was very different from today’s Arcadia Daze.

Back then Arcadia Days was an educational event held on Thursday and Friday, April 4-5 primarily at the Arcadia High School.

An article in the Manistee News Advocate dated April 6, 1918, described the event as a “farmers’ convention” with local speakers and experts from Manistee and Michigan Agricultural College (M.A.C), now known as Michigan State University.

Program Agenda — Day 2 — The program continued like day 1 with lectures mixed with breaks. Then the event ended with awards, followed by an auction for the prize food items (not shown in the agenda), and finally an organizational meeting.

After two days of lectures and presentations, cash prizes were awarded in three divisions: School Contests, Farm and Home. Most prizes were less than $1. The top prize was $2.50 for the student with the best rural school exhibit. After the awards were given, entries in the Home Division were sold to the highest bidder.

Arcadia Days included lectures on agriculture, citizenship and self-improvement.

Music by the school band and the glee club, readings and flag drills provided breaks between lectures. Cash prizes were given for the best examples of schoolwork, farm produce and food. Except for the cash prizes, which were small by today’s standards, the program was free to the community as it was part of the M.A.C. extension service offered many times throughout the state.

The topics and awards give us a glimpse into the issues and attitudes in America during WWI, when Americans were rationing and patriotism was

ARCADIA AREA HISTORICAL MUSEUM 3340 Lake St. Arcadia, MI 49613

Open hours: 1-4 p.m.

Thursday through Saturday; 1-3 p.m.

Sunday Visit: www.arcadiami.com Contact: (231) 352-5029 or (231) 889-4103 at a peak. A dollar was the prize for the “Best Prepared Substitute for Mixed Wheat Flour.” A high school student could win 50 cents for the best penmanship or the best composition on “Doing Our Bit.” Home economics subjects taught nearby at the Methodist Church included “War Bread” and “Meat Substitutes.”

Not listed in the agenda was the “food conversation exposition” given at the Methodist church by Miss Cora Evans of M.A.C extension.

According to the April 6, 1918, edition of the Manistee News Advocate, “The school program consists of the actual mixing and cooking of war foods before the audience while the demonstrator explains every process.”

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REMEMBER WHEN • JULY 2019

Portage Lake Association

Summer 2019 MONDAY NIGHT

Concerts in the Park July 22

Scottville Clown Band

Millions of Smiles from the Famous Clown Band

July 29

Elvis Tribute by Jake Slater

You’ll know that it’s true, ELVIS LIVES!

August 5

Awesome Distraction

Acoustic Sound with Beautifully Blended Voices

August 12 August 19

August 1-5

Benzie Playboys

Authentic Cajun Music to Make You Clap and Dance

Jim Hawley and the Piano Man:

music of Elton John & Billy Joel by Our Favorite Troubadour

Onekama days Sponsored by the Onekama Lions Club & the Portage Lake Association Bell’s Brewery tap takeover at the Blue Slipper Tavern on Thursday, August 1st. Other events include two Pancake Breakfasts at the Lions’ Den as well as a Grilled Steak dinner. The Lions will also host a 5K run & 1 mile walk as well as the Arts and Crafts show. M-22 Grill is sponsoring a Road Rally & Scavenger Hunt. Also, throughout the area - Church Bazaars, Bake Sales and Luncheons, and Township-wide garage sales. PLA will sponsor the popular Classic Car Show, “Pig Out for Onekama School” Pig Roast and Craft Beer Tasting. Fireworks, sponsored by PLA and community donors on Saturday night, weather permitting. The weekend will culminate in the Sunday parade.

Concerts start at 7 PM in the Onekama Village Park* and are free Donations are welcome & encouraged Bring Lawn Chairs, blankets, picnic baskets, children, etc.

Visit our website: www.onekama.info and on FaceBook, 1,- Onekama, Michigan *Rain Venue: Onekama Consolidated School Auditorium

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REMEMBER WHEN • JULY 2019