USA > Minnesota > St Louis County > Duluth > Duluth and St. Louis County, Minnesota; their story and people; an authentic narrative of the past, with particular attention to the modern era in the commercial, industrial, educational, civic and social development, Volume II > Part 37
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Born at Calumet, Michigan, January 2, 1878, Mr. Harvey is a son of Edward and Mary (Simmons) Harvey, natives of England, where they were reared and married. The family came to the United States some fifty years ago and for a time lived in New York city. During pioneer times Edward Harvey came west to Michigan and helped sink the first shaft at Calumet, in the copper regions, and subsequently went to Iron Mountain, Michigan, where he followed iron mining. Later he engaged in the logging business, also handled fuel and farmed, and became one of the prominent and influential men of his community. He took out his naturalization papers and was active as a citizen, serving as mayor of Iron Mountain two terms. Mr. Harvey died in March, 1916, having survived his worthy wife for some years.
One of a family of ten children, George Harvey grew to man's estate at Iron Mountain, where he received his education in the public schools. When about twenty-six years of age he began his business career on the Mesaba Range of northern Minnesota as a steam shovel operator in the Mountain Iron pit at Mountain Iron. Later on he engaged in the logging business as a contractor, and in this vocation his business interests have been centered to the present.
When the subject of municipal ownership of water and light privileges at Virginia was brought into public view Mr. Harvey was a stanch advocate of city ownership. He was elected an alderman of Virginia from the Sixth Ward, and was subsequently twice re- elected. In November, 1918, he was chosen a member of the Board of St. Louis County Commissioners from the Sixth District, and is
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now filling that responsible position with ability and energy. Socially he is identified with the local Kiwanis Club, and is a Knight Templar of the Masonic fraternity and a member of the Mystic Shrine. He was married in May, 1903, to Miss Lillie Crago, of Iron Mountain, and they have four children living: John, Howard, Joseph and Ralph. Two other children, Dorothy and Raymond, are deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Harvey are consistent members and liberal supporters of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
CARL H. OSTERBERG has been identified with mining operations since his early youth, and in this connection he came to the Virginia dis- trict of the Mesaba Range nearly thirty years ago, before the village of Virginia had been laid out and when its site was known only by the title of Section 8. He has been closely associated with the devel- opment and upbuilding not only of the now thriving little city of Virginia but also with the advancement of the great mining interests of this section of the state. An expert in mine drilling, he now gives his attention to contract work along this line as a member of the firm of Osterberg & Johnson, of Virginia, and he and his partner also conducted a substantial adjunct business in the operation of a weil equipped machine shop.
Carl Harry Osterberg was born in Sweden, March 11. 1863. His father was identified with mining operations in Sweden and later turned his attention to the gardening business there. The schools of his native land afforded Carl H. Osterberg his early education, and as a boy and youth he was employed in the iron mines-first as a wiper and oiler and later as a fireman. At the age of seventeen years. with a full measure of ambition and self reliance, he left his native land and came to the United States, where he felt assured of better oppor- tunities for the winning of independence through individual effort. He proceeded to Iron Mountain, Michigan, where he found employ- ment at surface work and later as fireman in connection with mining operations. In 1883 he took the position of driller's helper, and with increasing experience became a skilled workman at the trade of driller. When the great Gogebic Iron Range was opened he went to that dis- trict, in the spring of 1886, and there he was employed two years. In 1888 he came to Ely, St. Louis county, Minnesota, and found work on the Vermillion Range. After remaining there a year he engaged in drilling work in the mines near Tower, this county, and in 1892 came to the Virginia district, where he gained pioneer distinction in connec- tion with mining operations in this locality. Here he witnessed the inception and subsequent upbuilding of the town of Virginia, and here he did a large amount of important work in connection with mining operations-first in the employ of the firm of Humphrey. Moore & Foley, and later in the service of the firms of Cole & McDonald and Brown & Miller. Finally he returned to Michigan and passed two years as a driller for the Danorra Mining Company, at Negaunee. After the steel corporation took possession of the property he con- tinued in its service at Sudbury, Ishpeming, Negaunee and other points, and he continued his residence in Michigan until 1905, when he returned to Minnesota and became a driller for Corrigan & Mc- Kinney in what is now the St. Paul Mine at Keewatin, Itasca county. In 1906 he formed a partnership with H. O. Johnson at Virginia, and under the firm name of Osterberg & Johnson they have since been associated in the control of a prosperous contracting business as drillers in connection with general machine-shop work.
Thiein h. Pay
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Mr. Osterberg is affiliated with the Masonic fraternity, the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He has achieved marked success in his business ac- tivities and is a citizen who has secure place in popular confidence and good will.
In 1893 Mr. Osterberg wedded Miss Matilda Sederberg, and of this union have been born five children-Ernest, Ruth, Florence, Harriet and Merrel. The eldest son, Ernest, was in the nation's aviation service in the World war, was on active duty in France for several months and received his honorable discharge after the war came to a close through the signing of the historic armistice.
PHILIP L. RAY is one of the prominent younger men in financial cir- cles at Duluth, active head of Philip L. Ray & Co., financial agents and factors and dealers in investment securities, with offices in the Alworth Building.
Mr. Ray belongs to a family of bankers and was born at Mankato, Minnesota, July 10, 1890. His father is John H. Ray, for many years a well known banker at Mankato, but now retired and living in Cali- fornia. He was born in Michigan eighty-three years ago.
Philip L. Ray is the younger of two children, and was educated in the public schools of his native state and in 1912 graduated with the A. B. degree from the University of Minnesota. June 10, 1912, with no loss of time, he entered upon his business career as private secretary to Hon. J. L. Washburn of Duluth. He became secretary to several of the Washburn corporations engaged in mining and timber enterprises. In June, 1917, while still continuing his associa- tion with Mr. Washburn's interests, Mr. Ray formed the partnership of Philip L. Ray & Co. to engage in the business of investment bonds. In three or four years he has seen this enterprise grow and prosper and achieve a highly creditable and distinctive place among the financial firms of the city.
Mr. Ray is a member of the Beta Theta Pi college fraternity, be- longs to the Kitchi Gammi Club, Northland Country Club, Duluth Boat Club, Duluth Commercial Club and Kiwanis Club, and is a Republican voter.
WILLIAM E. BURGHER has spent most of his life at Duluth and in the Range country, has achieved his own opportunities, and is now presi- dent and acting head of the Range Office Supply Company, one of the leading concerns of its kind in Northern Minnesota.
Mr. Burgher, whose home is in Virginia, was born at Minneapolis June 21, 1886, and was seven years of age when the family moved to Duluth. He is a son of George W. and Elizabeth (Krieger ) Burgher, still living at Duluth. His father is a carpenter by trade. The family came from Pennsylvania and are of Swiss ancestry. Mr. Burgher's two grandfathers were Union soldiers in the Civil war.
William E. Burgher grew up at Duluth, but attended school only to the age of fourteen, after which he depended upon himself and made actual work the means of his education and the source of his opportunities. His first task was delivering groceries, later he clerked in stores and also served in a clerical capacity in offices. He early became identified with the office supply business, and one of the leading Duluth concerns employed him as a traveling salesman through the Range district. This experience gave him a familiarity with trade conditions in the Range towns, and eventually he made up his mind to embark his capital, skill and experience in a business of his own.
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In 1914 he organized the Mesaba Range Office Supply Company. It was started on a modest scale, with only two rooms in the First National Bank Building at Virginia. The name proving too cum- bersome the word Mesaba was dropped, leaving it simply the Range Office Supply Company. In January, 1917, the business was incor- porated under that title, with Mr. Burgher as president and directing head. The company now has complete stores at Virginia and Hib- bing. The energy Mr. Burgher has put into his business has been rewarded with most substantial results.
His home has been at Virginia since 1912, and he is a member of several civic and social organizations. In October, 1909, Mr. Burgher married Miss Lydia Rozon. Their two children are, William E., Jr., and Edward.
JOHN F. STAVER. Nineteen years of residence in the Range country of northern Minnesota and a connection of that length with the foundry business have combined to establish for John F. Staver, proprietor of the Virginia Foundry Company of Virginia, a reputation for ability, resource and unflagging industry. He is one of the captains of success who has piloted his own craft to harbor, has worked his way from the bottom, and out of his labors has evolved the belief that industry and straightforward dealing are prime factors in the gaining of position and success.
Mr. Staver was born near Dayton, Montgomery county, Ohio, July 7, 1876, and was five years old when his father, Edward Staver, a farmer, was called by death. His mother, whose maiden name was Mary Ellen Bliss, married for her second husband H. A. Deger, a moulder by trade, and the family moved in the fall of 1900 to Minne- sota and lived for about a year in the town of Mississippi, then going to their present home at Superior, Wisconsin.
John F. Staver was but an infant when he was taken by his par- ents to Douglas county, Illinois, where his father had purchased a small farm, and where that parent died. Mrs. Staver then went back to Montgomery county, Ohio, and John F. Staver grew up there and acquired a common school education. At Dayton he learned the moulder's trade in the plant of the Dayton Malleable Iron Works, a concern with which he remained about seven years, following which he was employed by other firms of a like character for three years. In 1901 he came to the Range country of northern Minnesota, seeking a climate that would better his wife's health, and for a short time resided at Mississippi, following which he went to Superior, Wiscon- sin, which was his home about three years. In 1904 he came to Vir- ginia, which has continued to be his place of residence. Upon his arrival Mr. Staver was made foreman for the Virginia Foundry Com- pany, operated by A. C. Osborn, and continued in that capacity until June, 1920, when he leased the property and has since conducted it. He carries on a general foundry business, and associated with him is his son, Byron E. Mr. Staver is one of the best known foundrymen in this part of the state and few have a more comprehensive knowledge of the business. Through industry, fair representation and good workmanship he has won the confidence of the community, a valuable asset indeed, and one which assures a continuation of his present prosperity. He is affiliated fraternally with the local lodges of the Modern Woodmen of America and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, in both of which he has numerous friends. He has
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discharged faithfully all the duties of citizenship and is always found backing worthy measures.
Mr. Staver married, August 24, 1895, Miss Margaret Newhardt, of a neighboring county of Ohio, and their only son is Byron E., a grad- uate of the Virginia High School, who was a student at the University of Cincinnati three years, and had been in the Officers' Training Camp at Camp Zachary Taylor for two weeks when the war ended.
WILLIAM THOMAS BAILEY was one of the makers of history in north- ern Minnesota due to his prominent associations with the great lum- ber industry centering at Duluth. The business which he founded and of which he was president many years, the W. T. Bailey Lumber Company, is still in existence, and for many years comprised great holdings of timber land and a complete organization of mills and all other facilities for production from the stump to the final market.
The late Mr. Bailey was of English ancestry, and the family in England spelled the name Bayley. His parents were James Joseph and Catherine C. Bailey, the former a native of England and the latter of Canada. James Joseph Bailey came when a young man to Canada, and located at Baylysboro in Ontario, where his son, William Thomas, was born September 22, 1842. After the discovery of gold in Cali- fornia James J. Bailey started for the Pacific Coast, and probably met a violent death, since he was never heard from again. At the age of ten William Thomas Bailey was an orphan. He had to support himself by his own industry and resourcefulness, but in spite of early limited advantages in school he kept his mental horizon broadening with successive years through reading and intimate contact with men and affairs. He eventually took up railroad work, and for a number of years was purchasing agent for the Northwestern Railroad with headquarters in Chicago.
In 1880 he came to Duluth, but it was his resourcefulness as an organizer, as an executive and a shrewd business man that enabled him to achieve prominence in the lumber industry rather than the possession of extensive capital. His operations grew and prospered from a modest scale until the William T. Bailey Company became one of the largest operating in northern Minnesota. While the head- quarters of the company were at Duhuith, its mills and logging opera- tions were carried on over a large scope of country. Some of the most extensive mills and manufacturing operations of the business have long been maintained at Virginia, where Richard Roberts Bailey, son of W. T. Bailey, has had his business headquarters since 1896.
William Thomas Bailey at the age of seventy-two, and with many mature achievements to his credit, died on March 31. 1914. He was a Republican in politics, a faithful member of the Presbyterian Church, was affiliated with the Masonic Order and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and was deeply devoted to home and family. Many recall him for his deep interest in blooded horses, and he had one of the finest stables around Duluth. June 25, 1873, he married in Michigan Miss Rebecca Roberts, daughter of Richard and Rebecca (Roberts) Roberts, of Ottawa county, Michigan. Her father was a prominent lumberman. The three children born to their marriage were William Thomas, Jr., Richard Roberts and Rebecca.
RICHARD ROBERTS BAILEY, a son of the late William T. Bailey. of Duluth, has been a resident of Virginia since 1896 and in a large and important degree has been the executive successor of his father in the lumber industry of St. Louis County.
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He was born at Grand Haven, Michigan, February 23, 1875, and his parents moved to Duluthi in 1880. He attended the grammar and high schools of that city, and served his apprenticeship in practical business under his father. He removed to Virginia to look after his father's lumber milling interests, and for a number of years has been secretary and treasurer of the W. T. Bailey Lumber Company.
The welfare of his home city he has always regarded as a personal responsibility. He is a member of the Kitchi Gammi Club of Duluth, a Scottish Rite Mason and Shriner and Elk. In 1906 he married Miss Berniece Lee, of Lakota, North Dakota. Their three children are Rebecca Lee, Richard Roberts Bailey, Jr., and Berniece.
LEWIS A. SIMONSON is one of the citizens of Duluth whose career has been shaped to some extent by his environment through a period of thirty- five years, and many who know and esteem his splendid qualities will assert that he also has been a factor in moulding the destiny of the community.
Mr. Simonson, who is manager of the Head of the Lake Agency of the Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York, has been out in the world of action doing for himself and others since early boyhood. He was born at Booneville, Dallas county, lowa, January 28, 1869, son of Claus and Bertha Simonson. His parents were natives of Norway and came to the United States in 1866, locating in Reedsburg, Iowa. Lewis A. Simonson was left an orphan at the age of four years, being one of three children. After the death of his parents he was adopted into the family of Eric Erickson, and lived with them at Yankton, South Dakota. until he was thirteen. His earliest recollections are of the great prairie country of the Dakota territory, and all his education during that time aggregated only seven months attendance at school. He had ample train- ing in the work and duties of a Dakota farm. During his fourteenth year he started out to see the world and carve his fortune therein, his possessions being the clothes he wore and seventy-five cents in money. Work as a farm hand for three years preceded his entrance to Duluth.
Mr. Simonson reached Duluth in 1886. His first employment was on the Ohio coal docks unloading coal from boats. From there he went into a small village in the woods, Washburn, Wisconsin, and subsequently for several years before reaching his majority he represented a Chicago pub- lishing house as a canvasser, an experience that many eminent men have pronounced as invaluable to them in their road to success, and which Mr. Simonson also found valuable in supplementing his meager schooling. He also traveled in many districts in northern Wisconsin, Michigan and Minnesota.
After his return to Washburn he was for a year assistant postmaster and then became a member of the Washburn Supply Company, selling goods on the installment plan. He grew into controlling responsibilities with this business subsequently became its sole proprietor, prospered. and greatly enlarged the scope of his business. After selling out in 1901 he became a member of a retail grocery concern at Washburn, and was president of the Board of Education from 1903 to 1908. While in busi- ness at Washburn he took up the study of life insurance, and in 1906 returned to Duluth as an agent of the Mutual Life under Waite H. Squire. manager of the Head of the Lake Agency. Since then Mr. Simonson has become one of Duluth's foremost insurance men, and in 1911 succeeded to the management of the Duluth Agency and has built up a business sec- ond to none in that line in the city.
Xdw. W. Grochau
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December 26, 1888, Mr. Simonson married Hannah Olson, who was born in Norway, a daughter of Terber and Martha Olson. Four chil- dren were born to Mr. and Mrs. Simonson: Charles T .; Benjamin, who died in infancy ; Mabel B. and Loyed H. The son, Loyed, was a wire- less operator at the Great Lakes Naval Training Station, also on the transport Puritan and was at Boston when the Armistice was signed.
Outside of his business Mr. Simonson is distinguished by long, self- sacrificing and able efforts to promote the cause of temperance and not less his efforts in behalf of good citizenship in general. His genial and courteous manner has been a factor in his business success and has also brought him the good will of every individual in Duluth. He helped organize several Good Templar Lodges in Minnesota, and has been a lecturer on temperance subjects over the state. He was elected grand chief templar of Minnesota in 1915, and again similarly honored in 1920. On the Prohibition ticket in 1912 Mr. Simonson was a candidate for state railroad and warehouse commissioner, and polled the largest vote ever given a candidate of his party in the state. He was again a candi- date on the Prohibition ticket in 1916 for lieutenant governor. Mr. Simonson has been active in Odd Fellowship, has filled various chairs in his home lodge, also in the Grand Lodge and is the present grand warden of the Grand Lodge. For five years he was president of the West End Commercial Club and is a member of the Commercial Club of Duluth.
EDWARD A. GROCHAU is widely known as one of the honored citizens and successful business men of Duluth, having for a number of years been prominently identified with the commercial interests of this com- munity. His well-directed efforts in the practical affairs of life, his capable management of his own business interests and his sound judgment have brought to him prosperity. In all the relations of life he has com- manded the respect and confidence of those with whom he has been brought into contact, and he is well worthy of representation .in a work of this character.
Edward A. Grochau was born in Duluth, Minnesota, on the 4th day of February, 1872, a son of Augustus and Justina (Guth) Grochau, both of whom are natives of Germany. the father having been born June 30. 1834, and the mother January 22, 1843. Augustus Grochau, who became a sailor, remained in his native land until twenty-one years of age, when. in 1855, he came to the United States. He took out citizenship papers in 1867 and soon afterward returned to the Fatherland, where he was married in 1868. On his return to the United States he took up his residence in Chicago and engaged in business. In 1870 he came to Duluth and engaged in contracting and building, in which he was so successful that after a few years he was enabled to retire from active business pur- suits. Of the five children born to Mr. and Mrs. Grochau, Edward A. is the third in order of birth, and four of them are still living. The parents are members of the German Evangelical Church.
Edward A. Grochau secured his education in the public and high schools of Duluth, and then entered the University of Michigan, where he took the course in pharmacy and was graduated in 1894, with his degree. For a time he was then employed as a drug clerk, but in 1910 engaged in the drug business on his own account, first being located on Fifth avenue. West, but eventually removing to his present location at the corner of Fourth avenue, West, and First street. He carries a large and complete stock of high-grade drugs and does a large prescription busi- ness, in addition to which he also carries a full line of druggists' sun-
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dries and such side lines as are usually carried in an up-to-date drug store. By strict attention to business and courteous treatment of his customers he has built up a large and representative business, being one of the leaders in his line in this city.
Politically Mr. Grochau is a Republican. He is president of the Retail Druggists Association of the Head of the Lakes and president of the Minnesota State Pharmaceutical Association. Fraternally he is a member of the Masonic Order, and has been honored by passing through the degrees of all the bodies of the York and Scottish Rites and belongs to the Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He is also a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Modern Samaritans and the Camels of the World. His religious faith is that of the Congregational Church, of which he is a member and a liberal sup- porter.
On June 20, 1900, Mr. Grochau was married to Bessie Jones, who was born at Neilsville, Wisconsin, and was reared and educated in Duluth. To them have been born two children, Dorothy, born August 6, 1905, and Maurice, born July 14, 1907. The family moves in the best social circles of the city and are well liked by all who know them. Mr. Gro- chan has not only been successful in his own business affairs, but has . given earnest support to all movements for the betterment of the city along all lines.
AL BLEWETT. To the man of average success the varied and sub- stantial results achieved by Al Blewett seem out of all proportion to the comparatively brief tenure of his career and in no wise remarkable advan- tages or opportunities. Richly endowed with the qualities of initative and resource, concentration and enthusiasm, and with the city of Duluth as the setting for the working out of his ambitions, his varied responsi- bilities at the present time include his position as head of a job printing concern, leader of the Blewett Orchestra and a partner in the Duluth Burnall Company.
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