USA > Michigan > A history of the northern peninsula of Michigan and its people; its mining, lumber and agricultural industries, Volume III > Part 4
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Agassiz's distant expeditions for scientific purposes began in 1875, when he went to South America, studying copper-mines in Peru and Chili, surveying Lake Titicaca, and collecting many objects for the
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Museum of Comparative Zoology and other departments of the Uni- versity Museum, especially the Peabody Museum. From 1877 to 1880 he was engaged during the winter in deep-sea dredging, mostly in the West Indies. For this purpose the United States Coast Survey steamer Blake was lent to him three times-whence the title of his book, "The Three Cruises of the Blake." Every winter he made considerable col- lections as a result of assiduous dredging, and he also added very much to the then existing knowledge of the floor of the ocean in those parts. Thus he began those contributions to oceanography which justified Major Leonard Darwin in saying of him, "He has done more for oceanographic research than any other single individual." In the Fish Commission steamer Albatross he visited in other winters Panama and the Galapagos Islands, and made extensive soundings in the central and eastern tropical Pacific. Then came a series of expe- ditions to the Fiji Islands, Australia, and the Indian Ocean in vessels which he hired and equipped himself. In all his later expeditions he was especially studying coral reefs, and in this pursuit he visited all the principal coral formations of the world. When he began in 1877 these independent oceanographic studies-he had done some previous work on the Coast Survey steamer Bibb in 1867-he was a very bad sailor, but in his later years he was comparatively comfortable at sea, unless the vessel was small or the sea exceptionally rough. In all his earlier dredging expeditions he would lie on deck in misery until the dredge came up, when he would rally all his strength to inspect and sort the contents of the dredge. So soon as this trapper's or hunter's instinct was gratified, he would relapse into utter feebleness ; yet year after year he set forth on these prolonged voyages.
Through all these years Agassiz was steadily issuing a series of scientific researches which covered a large field of invertebrate zoöl- ogy and oceanography. His special subjects were sea-urchins, star- fishes, coral reefs, and the ocean floor, but he also did important work on Corals, Acalephs, and fishes.
Since his annual explorations brought him much new material in the subjects which specially inter- ested him, he became a prolific writer-the list of his published writ- ings now (1910) contains 248 titles; and since all his zoological pub- lications were admirably illustrated and were widely distributed among learned societies, museums, and professors of his own or kin- dred subjects, his reputation as a man of science extended to all parts of the earth, and he received the highest honors of many universities and learned societies both in America and in Europe. The list of these decorations in the Harvard Quinquennial is highly interesting, both from its length and from the variety of the honors bestowed upon him. He never sought for any of these honors, or even put himself in the way to receive them. They were all spontaneous recognitions of his great serviceableness to natural science.
He had a broad and generous conception of the way in which scien- tific collections should be used. They were to be put at the disposi- tion of experts for examination and description, each expert receiving the material in which he was most interested. He therefore distrib- uted the costly material he had collected among many specialists, and printed their reports with the best possible illustrations in the Me- moirs and Bulletins of the Museum. Ninety-eight specialists, living in many different parts of the world, have been engaged upon the material collected during the several explorations conducted by Alexander Agas- siz, and seven others have published their results in the "Contribu- tions" issued from his Newport laboratory. At the time of his death
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forty specialists had in their possession material collected during the explorations under his charge ; and it was his intention to publish their results. In his will he provided for carrying out this intention. The nationality of the experts to whom he entrusted his collections was a matter of entire indifference to him. Ile simply tried to discover in each case the one expert who could make the best use of the material to be placed at his disposition.
This scientific career would have occupied all the time and strength of most men; but beside it from 1865 was going on a very different and equally productive career. He was conducting a great business ; he was developing the most successful copper-mine in the world, build- ing up a large city where but recently there had been nothing but barren wilderness, and setting an admirable example of justice, hu- manity, and success from every point of view in dealing with thou- sands of workman in a rough and hazardous occupation. He paid good wages to men of every class in the mines, looked after the safety and the welfare of their families in every possible way, knew their wants and understood their feelings, provided carefully for prompt and fair attention to all complaints, and defended the humblest work- man against oppression, while insisting throughout the corps on the strict discipline which is the only safety in a dangerous occupation. The Company on his suggestion provided a pension fund for old men. and an aid fund to which the Company and the workmen contributed alike, and these funds were invested in shares of the Calumet and Hecla mines. The Company contributed the ground and a sum of money towards every one of the churches on the Company's estate, which are thirty in number. It built hundreds of houses for its em- ployces. It built a high school, a library, a bathhouse, a hospital, a hotel, and a clubhouse, and promoted in many ways entertainments and amusements for the workmen and their families. I once asked Agassiz to what he attributed the good order which had prevailed at the Calumet and Hecla mines from the beginning, and the absence of industrial strife. He immediately replied, "To the Company's method of dealing with complaints." The abundant "'welfare work" done there undoubtedly contributed to the good feeling which prevailed between the employer and the employed; but in Agassiz's opinion it was habitual justice which had secured the admirable results. The confidence of the workmen in the President of the Company was sol- idly grounded. He made the mines successful at the beginning, and he made the business prosperous continuously, so that work was abun- dant and payment sure. Intelligent men always like to work for an employer who makes the business profitable without any breaks or setbacks which affect the employees, meets emergencies promptly and courageously, and when serious disasters come in spite of foresight, prudence, and sagacity, shares the losses with the men, or bears them all himself. The Calumet and Hecla mines illustrate the enormous industrial advantage which can be derived from good will between employers and employed; but behind all other advantages there lie the keen intelligence and business sagacity with which their opera- tions have been conducted. Agassiz was often accused of extrava- gance in the conduct of the mines, particularly in regard to the ma- chinery used in hoisting, pumping, and stamping; and an example of his extravagance was cited in the purchase of some machinery which had cost over $100,000, and had been delivered at the mines, but was never set up. Being reproached with this waste, Agassiz replied, "It took a long time to construct and deliver that machinery, and before
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it could be set up, better had been invented." It was true economy not to permit the inferior machinery, though new, to be set up. With some insignificant exceptions Agassiz worked himself with real econ- omy of effort, and he carried on the great mines on the same principle. There were some curious contradictions, however, in his habitual deal- ings with employees. In general he wanted and obtained a good day's work for a day's good pay; but with old employees under his own observation he was extraordinarily lenient, if they became habitually, or from time to time, unfaithful or otherwise unsatisfactory. He had the keenest sympathy with persons of narrow income, whether edu- cated or uneducated, who had worked hard and long, and had reached the inevitable period of reduced efficiency. The immediate interest of the mines or the Museum would not prevail in such cases over his tender consideration for the individual.
It remains to describe the personal qualities of this remarkable man. His nature was tender and affectionate, and in all his family relations and his intercourse with his friends these qualities were con- tinually manifested. Nothing could exceed the love he bore his wife and his stepmother. His wife died when he was thirty-eight years old, and from that moment his domestic life was maimed and broken. He found consolation, however, in the affectionate relations he main- tained with all his kindred and with his brothers and sisters of the Russell family, and in intimate companionship with his "mother," Mrs. Louis Agassiz. This affectionate disposition was the more touch- ing, because all his friends and relatives knew that underneath lay a quick and fiery temper. He was himself well aware of this internal fire, and though he could not always control its temporary outbursts, he took precautions against serious results from it. When he felt compelled to express himself warmly to some one who had injured or offended him but could not be spoken to at the moment, he would sit down at his desk in the evening and write a hot and comprehen- sive letter to the offender; but he had acquired the habit of not mail- ing a fierce letter the same evening, and in many cases he would tear it up or re-write it the next morning. He gave me occasional illus- trations of this habit when his ire had been roused against some per- son whom we both knew well and favorably; and his smile was always delightful when he said in answer to my inquiry, what he did with that letter, "Oh, I tore it up the next morning." Even with persons whose services or friendship he highly valued he would sometimes break out with sudden reproof or criticism; but the next day he would have forgotten the outbreak, or would allege that it had never hap- pened. Against a few persons he harbored rather persistent resent- ments, but seldom missed a good opportunity to serve them or con- tribute to their happiness-if possible, without their knowing it.
He became a rich man, but was never in the least luxurious or self- indulgent. His sons and some of his friends used to laugh at him because his horses and carriages were never "smart;" but he accepted their criticism with good-natured indifference. For science or in hos- pitality he never hesitated to spend money freely, but on the whole his life was very simple, as well as very laborious. He was reserved and reticent: but this was in part because his feelings were quickly stirred, and he found it impossible to control his emotion if he spoke of anything touching or pathetic. He had a keen appreciation and love for things beautiful; so that his houses at Cambridge and New- port were filled with beautiful objects brought from all parts of the world. A few years ago during one of his frequent passages through
Honnan Harminichs
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London, he bought at a high price a magnificent Manchurian tiger, which was superbly mounted and proved to be far the handsomest animal in the Museum. He advised me to go and see it as soon as it was set up, remarking that it was the most beautiful animal he had ever seen in its manifest power, its grace, and its coloring.
Although he was clear-headed and resolute in pursuing and pub- lishing his own researches and the results of his own explorations, he seldom said anything about them even with friends and intimates. He was as silent about his scientifie plans as he was about his pro- jects and purposes for the mines. No man ever more completely exe- cuted his own plan for his intellectual life, or showed greater single- ness of mind or constaney of aim in spite of the variety of his occupations, or worked more incessantly and systematically. So he found in all his studies and administrative work profound satisfac- tions, though not content. He was too cager to do more to be thor- oughly contented with what he had accomplished. As life drew to- wards its close, he could look back on its course with quiet satisfac- tion, notwithstanding some occasional disappointments and misgiv- ings. He saw the results of his own scientific labors set forth in a long series of printed volumes. He saw developed the great Museum which his father had planned on paper and started, and he knew that he could endow it effectively. He saw a great mining industry built up successfully, through which he had enriched many relatives and friends, and brought comfort and content to thousands of humble homes. He knew that he had set a high example of the way to con- duct humanely and successfully a great business enterprise. He knew that he had also set an example of the comprehensive, generous, effec- tive way of conducting scientific research on a large scale. He won the joy of doing great work, the respect and admiration of many fel- low-men, and the love of all who were in any way near to him.
HERMAN HEINRICHS .- The sterling character and distinctive ability of Herman Heinrichs have gained to him a secure place as one of the representative business men of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, and in the city of Menominee he conducts an extensive and prosperous en- terprise as a broker of Herring-Hall-Marvin safes and vaults, and a dealer in heavy hardware, mill and mining supplies, typewriters and numerous specialties which will be duly noted in another paragraph of this sketch.
Mr. Heinrichs was born at Manitowoc, Wisconsin, on the 16th of July, 1864, and is a son of Peter and Rosalie (Eckhardt) Heinrichs, both of whom were born in the kingdom of Saxony, Germany. The father died at the age of forty-one years, at Colorado Springs, Colo- rado, and the mother was forty-four years of age at the time of her death, which occurred in Manitowoc, Wisconsin. Of the seven chil- dren only two are now living,-Bertha, who is the wife of Charles Smalley, a successful manufacturer in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, and Herman, who is the immediate subject of this sketch. Peter Hein- richs was a mere boy at the time of his parents' immigration to Amer- ica and here he was reared and educated. He became a successful farmer in Manitowoc county, Wisconsin, and later was engaged in the insurance and agricultural implement business at Manitowoc. He went to Colorado at the time of the gold excitement in that state and there his death occurred, as has already been noted. He was the first to operate a stage line at Manitowoc and was one of the honored pio- neers of Wisconsin, where he was held in high esteem by all who knew
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him. He was a Republican in his political proclivities and was a com- municant of the Catholic church; his wife held membership in the German Lutheran church.
Herman Heinrichs was afforded the advantages of the public schools of his native county, and at the age of thirteen years he ini- tiated his business career by securing a clerkship in a general mer- chandise store at Manitowoc. Later he was employed as a salesman in the extensive hardware establishment of Morley Brothers, at Sagi- naw, Michigan, where he remained imtil 1887, when he came to Me- nominee, where he became one of the interested principals in the Menominee Hardware Company, which he organized and of which he was manager and a director for a period of eighteen years. In 1905 he removed to Green Bay, Wisconsin, where he organized the Morley- Murphy Hardware Company, of which he became treasurer and gen- eral manager. In the following year, on account of impaired health, he resigned the active management of the business and made a trip to California, and in July, 1906, he organized the Dudley Tool Com- pany, of Menominee, Michigan, of which he became president and general manager. He resigned his dual office at the expiration of one year, but retained an interest in the business until August, 1907, when he sold out and removed to Duluth, Minnesota, where he became presi- dent and manager of the Duluth Corrugating & Roofing Company, manufacturers of corrugated iron and steel for roofing and ceiling purposes. In November of 1908 he disposed of his interest in this en- terprise and returned to Menominee, where he established his present business enterprise, as a broker of heavy hardware, mill and mining supplies and other specialties. In the handling of safes and burglar and fire-proof vaults he has built up an extensive business, under the title of the Heinrichis Safe & Vault Company. He handles typewriters, vacuum cleaners, electric washing machines, fire-proof specialties for buildings, steel filing devices and office furniture, metal window frames and metal latlı, ceilings, roofing, sidings, awnings and tents, leather and rubber belting, fire and mill hose, lubricating oils, iron lawn furni- ture and vases, spray brushes, etc. Mr. Heinrichs is known as a man of splendid initiative and executive ability and his career has been one of consecutive endeavor along normal lines of business enterprise, through which he has achieved a worthy success. His course has ever been such as to retain to him the confidence and respect of all with whom he has come in contact in the varied relations of life.
Liberal and progressive as a citizen, Mr. Heinrichs takes a loyal interest in public affairs, and while he has never been a seeker of politi- cal office he accords an unwavering allegiance to the Republican party. He is affiliated with Green Bay Lodge, Benevolent and Protective Or- der of Elks, and holds membership in the Travelers' Protective Asso- ciation and the Brotherhood of American Yeomen. He and his wife are zealous members of the First Presbyterian church of Menominee, in which he is serving as a trustee.
On the 16th of March, 1886, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Heinrichs to Miss Margaret Waessner, of Wausau, Wisconsin, where she was born and reared. She is a daughter of Carl and Julia (Zim- mer) Waessner, the former of whom was born in Prussia, Germany, on the 31st of May, 1833, and the latter of whom was born in Hessen- Darmstadt, Germany, on the 21st of April, 1842. The father died on the 7th of July, 1908, and the mother now resides in Menominee, Michi- gan. Of the nine children eight are yet living. Mr. Waessner came to America when a young man and located at Stevens Point, Wiscon-
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sin, whence he later removed to Wausau, that state, where he engaged in the clothing and merchant tailoring business and where he later conducted a general merchandise store. He there continued in busi- ness for many years and after his retirement he removed to Menomi- nee, where he passed the closing years of his life.
DR. GEORGE BJORKMAN, one of the leading physicians of Gladstone, Michigan, is a native of Sweden, born March 5, 1867, a son of Hampus and Maria (Liedholm) Björkman, who still reside in Sweden. Dr. Björkman spent his youth in his native country, where he attended Kalmar College, and graduated from same, with degree of B. S. He decided to try his fortunes in America, and came in 1884, locating first in the city of Washington, working at such employment as he could find. He removed to St. Paul, Minnesota, where he graduated in phar- macy at the hospital and medical college, in 1888; he engaged in the drug business at Ottumwa, Iowa, and later in Lincoln, Nebraska, being very successful in this line. He studied medicine at the University of Nebraska, from which he graduated in 1895, afterward serving one year in Emanuel Hospital at Omaha. He entered upon the practice of his profession first at Ottumwa, Iowa, where he remained a number of years, and in 1902 located in the city of Gladstone, where he has since resided. He has been successful in building up a fine practice and a good reputation for medical skill, and is the official physician and sur- geon for the Cleveland Cliff Iron Company, also for the Soo Railway. He is well known in the community and takes an active interest in public affairs. Dr. Björkman is a member of the County and State Medical Associations, and the American Medical Association. He stands high in his profession and is well liked for his many fine qualities.
In 1888 Dr. Björkman married Emma Kendall, of Ottumwa, Iowa, and to this union have been born four children, namely : Carroll, Con- rad, Maria and Elizabeth, the two last-named being twins.
F. W. FOLEY .- One of the very important industries of the Northern Peninsula is the Tamarack & Osceola Copper Company of Dollar Bay, for the manufacture of copper wire, and acting as superintendent of this enterprise is F. W. Foley, sole proprietor and lessee of the plant. By his own efforts has this large and prosperous business been built up and he must be accounted a public benefactor, furnishing as he does em- ployment to some fifty or sixty men. The business was started in 1889 by the Tamarack & Osceola Mining Company, which continued under that name until 1905, when the business was closed up. In the same year Mr. Foley leased the plant and engaged in the manufacture of cop- per wire. The mills produce a very superior variety of copper wire, varying from the coarsest to that of fine wire, which is shipped to every part of the United States and is already making the name of its manu- facturer celebrated among those to whom his commodity is necessary.
Mr. Foley was born in County Leitrim, Ireland, in 1859, his parents being Franeis and Mary Foley. In 1861 when he was about three years of age his parents emigrated to the "Land of Promise" as someone has pertinently called this republic. The family located in Massachusetts and Mr. Foley attended school in Worcester and Middlesex counties. At an early age he left school and found it expedient to join the grand army of wage earners, his first position being like Andrew Carnegie's in the woollen mills. This was in Maynard, Massachusetts, and at this work Mr. Foley continued for five years. At the end of this time he removed
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to Lester, that state, and was employed in the woollen mills there for three years, or until the great flood which swept the mills from their foundations. For the next two years he served as foreman for James Smith, the proprietor of the ruined mills. Mr. Foley then returned to Littleton, Massachusetts, stayed there three years, and then went to the Worcester, where he was again engaged in the work in which he had had no small amount of experience.
Some time thereafter he found employment with Washburn, Moen & Co., at Worcester, manufacturers of steel and copper wire, and this turned his thoughts in another direction. He remained in this associa- tion for five years and made the first telegraph and telephone wire as well as the first trolley wire installed in Massachusetts. He removed to Michigan and was employed by the Tamarack and Osceola Manufactur- ing Company, and acted for a time as superintendent. In August, 1905, he leased the wire mills and has experienced a remarkable success, hav- ing the advantage of being a practical wiremaker and being in every other way master of the situation.
In 1892 Mr. Foley took as his wife Miss Mary A. Slattery, daughter of Joseph and Winnifred Slattery, of Hancock, Michigan. To them have been born seven children : Mary, Francis, John, Agnes, Margaret, Iraline and James. Mr. Foley is a Republican in politics, takes a lively interest in the election of his friends and is a loyal worker in their behalf, but he has never sought office himself. Although he left school when very. young, he has himself remedied any deficiency in his education, being a lover of good books and possessing a retentive memory. He is an excellent conversationalist, expressing himself brilliantly.
THOMAS WALTERS .- For a period of nearly forty years has Captain Thomas Walters been identified with the great mining industry in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, and in connection with the same few have held more responsible positions or gained so distinctive popular esteem and confidence. He is one of the essentially representative citizens of this section of the state, has long maintained his home in the city of Ishpeming and is now superintendent of the Pittsburg Lake Angeline Iron Company and general manager of the Jones & Laughlin Ore Com- pany. He has fought the battle of life for himself since his boyhood days, and through worthy means has gained a place of independence and prosperity, the while he has so ordered his course as to eminently merit the high regard in which he has at all times been held by his fellow men. He is familiarly known as Captain Walters, by reason of his service as mine captain for many years.
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