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 III > Part 25
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I will close these reminiscences of the times 1856 to 1894, and leave to some abler person and younger to take up the thread and carry it down to the present year, 1915.
On February 13, 1886, there was organized a society called the Old Settlers Association of the Head of Lake Superior. I believe that this society has done more to unite the citizens of both sides of the bay than anything else besides. Almost all of the charter members have passed
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over the Great Divide, but few remain. Twenty-five years' residence entitles one to a membership, so the ranks are kept full and on the increase. It is for these, the later recruits, that I am writing. I beg of you not to do anything that would bring disgrace, on the Old Settlers Association of the Head of the Lake Superior, or to cause a split of the members on either side of the bay.
I shall never forget the first time that we met at Old Superior. George R. Stuntz was our first president. As we marched up old Quebec Pier Mr. Bishop, the old baker, led the procession. We all gathered at the Old Superior House, where we had a great visit and a splendid ban- quet. We have had many meetings since that time, and the same good cheer and fellowship prevails.
During the last few years I have tried many times to get someone of the old settlers to write an article covering the early days at the Head of the Lakes. In compliance with this request my good friend Mr. R. B. McLean of Superior wrote a paper covering his early experiences and reminiscences of the Superior side of the bay and of the north shore of Lake Superior from Minnesota Point down. In order that the Duluth side of the bay from Minnesota Point up might have something said concerning it, and not being able to get anyone else to do it, I finally concluded to write the enclosed papers. I have tried to set forth the conditions that existed from the time our family arrived in 1856 until the year 1894. The period from 1894 until the present time I leave for someone else to record.
I have also taken the occasion to set forth the facts relating to the $250,000 bond issue which was granted by St. Louis County to the Duluth, Missabe & Northern Railroad, at the time we were extending the road into Duluth. I was president of the railroad at that time, and in this capacity conducted the negotiations between the railroad and the county regarding these bonds.
If this younger generation will continue the work of building up a city at the Head of the Lakes with the same faith in its future as has been shown by the early pioneers, I doubt not but that a great city will be the result. Yours sincerely,
ALFRED MERRITT.
WILLARD BAYLISS. It may be said that biography is history of the purest type, and to possess a history is what distinguishes man from the lower creatures about him. From age to age they possess the same appearance, unchanging in their instincts and habits, except in so far as they have been modified by contact with man, and therefore the history of one generation of irrational animals is the history of every other. But in the human race there is progressive change which it is the part of history to both record and accelerate and the duty of the living to perpetuate in biographical form for the coming generation. In connec- tion with the development of the Mesaba Range of northern Minnesota it is an interesting part of the history of these times to make mention of the men who have been connected with this mighty work, and one of them deserving of more than passing notice is Willard Bayliss, superin- tendent of the eastern half of the Chisholm District, embracing the Hartley-Burt-Palmer, Chester, Duncan and Fraser mines of the Oliver Mining Company, for he has stamped his impress upon the iron industry and his community in no ordinary manner.
Willard Bayliss was born at Massillon, Ohio, January 9, 1873, a son of Edwin and Cordelia Emeline (Zerbe) Bayliss, both natives of Ohio, where Edwin Bayliss was engaged in the manufacture of farming machin-,
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ery at Massillon, and at one time was a partner of J. F. Seiberling. In later years, after the death of Mrs. Bayliss, his children being then grown, Mr. Bayliss went to Bessemer on the Gogebic Range in Michigan, and was there engaged in a lumbering, insurance and real estate business and was equally successful in it. During the war between the North and the South he served in the Union army, having raised a company for the service, of which he was elected captain, and his organization became a part of the One Hundred and Sixty-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry. The death of this old veteran and successful business man occurred at Bessemer, Michigan, in 1908.
The paternal grandfather of Willard Bayliss, James Bayliss, was born at Stratford-on-Avon, England, and when he was nine years old, about 1812, he immigrated to the United States, and in the coming years pros- pered, becoming the owner of a tract of land in Stark County, Ohio. Subsequently he became a manufacturer of Massillon, Ohio. When gold was discovered in California in 1849 he was one of the first to go to the "Golden" state, making the trip by way of the Isthmus of Panama. After reaching California he found it more profitable to engage in merchandis- ing than to prospect for gold, and his old account books are still in the possession of the family and show that he accepted gold nuggets and dust in lieu of currency. A sister of James Bayliss was married to a man by the name of Royce, and their son, Josiah Royce, became noted as a professor of philosophy at Harvard University, and also wrote the history of California in the Commonwealth series.
Willard Bayliss after his mother's death went to Cleveland, Ohio, to live with relatives of his mother, a sister accompanying him. There he attended school and was graduated from the high school course in 1891, following which he became a student of Yale University, and was gradu- ated therefrom in 1894, with the degree of Bachelor of Philosophy. He subsequently took a post-graduate course in the Case School of Applied Science, in which he also taught chemistry. Completing his course at the latter institution, Mr. Bayliss became assistant chemist for the Otis Steel Company at Cleveland, Ohio, but a few months later, in May, 1895, he came to the Mesaba Range of northern Minnesota, and through the influence of W. J. Olcott his services were secured as chemist of the Mountain Iron Mine, he succeeding E. T. Grise. Owing to the depress- ing financial period of 1895 many of the mines were closed, or practically suspended operation, and Mr. Bayliss was sent to the Gogebic Range in Michigan as a chemist for a group of mines under the same management. Eventually he became chief engineer of the Gogebic Range Mines of the United Steel Corporation. In December, 1904, he was further advanced by being made superintendent of the Myers Mine at Chisholm for the Oliver Iron Mining Company, and later held the same position for the Glen, Clark, Pillsbury and Leonard Mines. From 1914 to 1918 he located at Eveleth as assistant general superintendent of the Adams District, but in the latter year was transferred to the Chisholm District to fill his pres- ent very responsible position.
Mr. Bayliss is a very prominent man in civic matters and has served as a member of the Water, Light, Power and Building Commission of the village of Chisholm, and the Library Board. He belongs to the Kiwanis Club, and is a Mason and Elk.
On October 18, 1902, Mr. Bayliss was united in marriage with Celeste Chamberlain, of Kaukauna, Wisconsin, and they became the parents of six children, namely : Willard Zerbe, who was born in 1904; Dudley Chamberlain, who was born in 1905; Celeste and Mary, twins, who were born in 1907; Edwin, who was born in 1909, and died in 1911;
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and Franklin Gorgas, who was born in 1918. Mr. and Mrs. Bayliss are members of the Episcopal Church.
It would be difficult to find a man more experienced in iron production or more competent to discharge the heavy responsibilities of his position than Mr. Bayliss. Not only has he the technical training, but he has also the practical experience which comes from actual operation, and his judg- ment is recognized as almost infallible with regard to his profession. As a citizen he measures up to the highest standards of honorable American manhood, and although a man of many affairs, never shirks a civic obliga- tion, but gives to matters referred to him the same careful and conscien- tious attention which have marked his career from its inception.
WILLIAM F. ULRICH, chief chemist of the Chisholm District for the Oliver Iron Mining Company, is one of the very capable men of his profession and one who has earned and holds the full confidence of his superiors. He was born at Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, April 1, 1877, which also happened to be Easter morning. His father, William F. Ulrich, was a native of Germany, a graduate of the University of Berlin, a veteran soldier of the war with Austria and the Franco-Prussian war, and immigrated to the United States immediately following the close of the last-named conflict and located at Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, where he founded the Bethlehem Preparatory School for Lehigh University, and of which he continued owner and principal. He was known as "Doctor" Ulrich, and held the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. The death of this scholarly and eminent man occurred at Bethlehem in 1898. The wife of Doctor Ulrich was Mary Michael, and she came of English ancestry. Her death occurred in 1918, she surviving her husband some twenty years.
William F. Ulrich was one of five children born to his parents, two of whom died in infancy. Until 1901 he resided at Bethlehem, where he was reared and educated, being graduated from Lehigh University in 1899 with the degree of Bachelor of Science and Analytical Chemist. For eighteen months following his graduation he was chemist for the Bethlehem Steel Company, and then for six months held the same posi- tion with the New Jersey Zinc Company. In November, 1901, he went to Chicago and was chemist for the Western Electric Company for six months, when, in April, 1902, he became chemist for the Oliver Iron Min- ing Company at Duluth, Minnesota, remaining in that city until Janu- ary, 1903, when he was transferred to Hibbing. In 1905 he was again transferred, this time to Chisholm, where he has since remained as chief chemist for the Chisholm District of the Oliver Iron Mining Company, and is one of the most efficient and thoroughly trained men in his pro- fession.
On July 15, 1912, Mr. Ulrich was united in marriage with Clara Bro- gan, of Ironwood, Michigan, and they have one daughter, Ruth May. Mr. Ulrich is independent in politics, and during 1915 served as a mem- ber of the council of Chisholm, but aside from that has not held public office. In religious faith he is an Episcopalian. Well known in Masonry, he has attained the thirty-second degree, A. A. S. R., and is also a Mystic Shriner. He belongs to the Knights of Pythias and the Benevo- lent and Protective Order of Elks, and is a member of the Chamber of Commerce, the L. S. M. I. and the Engineers' Club of northern Minne- sota. Mr. Ulrich is not only a thoroughly practical man, having gained a vast knowledge of his work from actual operation, but he has the technical training as well, and in his responsible position is making a record in his profession that it will be difficult to equal and impossible to
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excell. While he is very much occupied by professional responsibilities. he is never too busy to give the intelligent co-operation of the good citizen to municipal affairs, and is recognized as a very constructive factor in his community.
FINNISH DAILY PUBLISHING COMPANY. Among the forces working for high ideals of American citizenship none exceed in beneficence the influence exerted by the Fourth Estate. In this connection a splendid work is being done by the Finnish Daily Publishing Company of Duluth, publishers of Paivalehti, known as the Finnish Daily, the oldest Finnish daily newspaper in the United States, which was established in 1898 and first found a reading public at Calumet, Michigan, coming to Duluth in 1912.
Politically independent, with a circulation of 8,000 readers, and sub- scribers from coast to coast and in Canada and Finland, this publication is recognized as the leading Finnish newspaper in the United States and Canada. Its publishers, realizing that America is a country where every man is given an equal opportunity for success, and believing that the immigrant will find chances here that he could not even dream of in his native land, have assumed it as their responsibility to present the ideals of the country in cogent form and, while discharging the normal duties which lie within the province of a newspaper, to foster and develop also a loyal and patriotic spirit. It has stood behind the affairs of the United States Government and has given strong support to such men as the late Theodore Roosevelt and his followers.
Through the influence of Paivalehti, Americanization work among the Finnish people is progressing rapidly, and many thousands of those of Finnish descent, residents of the United States, who cannot read the English language, have gained their preliminary knowledge fitting them for American citizenship through its columns. This publication is also recognized as a valuable instructor in economical questions, as it is its practice to give useful information to new settlers in farming communities and to men who take part in business life.
During the war period Paivalehti took a very active part in protecting this country against the menacing pro-German and other un-American elements. Its editorial staff and numerous agents and correspondents throughout the country gave valuable assistance to the United States Government in many issues during the period of the World war, in sell- ing Liberty Bonds and War Savings Stamps and in aiding the Red Cross, as well as in urging men to enlist in the fighting forces of the country. Its columns were constantly open to issues concerning the welfare of the country and its government.
The Finnish Daily Publishing Company maintains its plant and office at No. 31 East Michigan street, Duluth. The editor and publisher exerts a wide influence for good among his people in this country, and is held in high esteem and confidence by those who have had occasion to come into contact with him either in a business or social way.
JAMES J. HAYES. The history of Chisholm as one of the most impor- tant towns of the Iron Ranges involved no one personality more fre- quently and at more vital points than James J. Hayes, who came upon the ground the first year that Chisholm took form as a community and has remained through good times and bad, in favorable fortune and in mis- fortune, and in point of years of continuous residence is Chisholm's oldest citizen.
farmer of Hayes
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Mr. Hayes was born at Collingwood, Ontario, June 10, 1865, and his life has been one of work and effort from an early age. His father, James J. Hayes, Sr., was born in Ireland in 1834 and was brought to Canada by his parents. At the age of ten he was left an orphan with two brothers, and had to assume responsibilities far in advance of his years in providing for his own living. At this early age he found a berth on a Great Lakes fishing boat, and in subsequent years developed all the skill and knowledge of a fisherman. He finally secured the facili- ties and equipment and entered the fishing industry for himself. James J. Hayes, Sr., in 1863 married Bridget McGrath, a native of Ireland. They were married in Collingwood. The father died in 1875, at the age of thirty-four, and the widowed mother survived him nearly half a cen- tury, passing away in 1916.
Oldest of four children is James J. Hayes, and two others are still living. He was only ten years old when his father died. Soon after he was born his parents moved to Port Arthur, Ontario, or Prince Arthur's Landing as it was then known. He lived with his widowed mother, and she was able to provide him with the advantages of the common schools, though as early as possible he began assisting her in the fishing business left by his father. Then some years later Mr. Hayes entered the teaming and contracting business, owning one or two teams and having other facilities. These facilities were employed by him and he drove a team which turned the first sod for the initial steps in the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railroad, which began building the Transcontinental route westward from Port Arthur, Ontario. Along with this modest effort as a contractor he also continued the fishing industry during the season, and that work necessitated spending much of his time on the lakes.
Mr. Hayes had only recently passed his twenty-first birthday when on July 6, 1886, he arrived in Duluth with the intention of making that city his home. He first made his acquaintance with the city some five or six years earlier, while on board some lake boats. The first work he did after coming to Duluth was delivering coal for the Lehigh Coal and Iron Company. After two years at that he engaged in the retail coal and wood business for himself with offices at 27 West Superior street. He built up a considerable business, and at times had as many as eleven teams working at delivering coal. In March. 1894, with John Lloyd as a partner, he left for the Rainy Lake country. They took with them the first steamboat ever upon those international waters, also equipment of teams, wagons and other facilities and started a general transportation service from the railroad at Tower to International Falls, combining both boat and stage coaches. The line ran from Tower to Vermilion Dam, a dis- tance of eighteen miles, then to Crane Lake, twenty-six miles further, then to Kettle Falls, thirty-two miles, and on to International Falls, forty- eight miles. At International Falls the service branched off to the gold mines on both sides of the boundary. With this pioneer transportation enterprise Mr. Hayes linked his fortunes and energies for about six years.
In 1900 he returned to Duluth and for a time was a lake captain, first for the Independent Ferry line and later for the Stevens line. It was in 1901 that the first village corporation was established at Chisholm, and he was on the ground at the same time. Mr. Hayes built the first resi- dence in Chisholm and for a short time was in the restaurant business, later conducted a drug store and also again did contracting in teaming. In 1902 he began furnishing the mines around Hibbing and Chisholm with mining timber. Mr. Hayes lost all his buildings and other property in the big fire of September 5, 1908, but quickly returned and undertook
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the rehabilitation of the village. In 1912 he platted the Hayes Addition, and soon afterward organized the Park Addition Land Company, and for the past eight years has been its president and is still active in the real estate business. For a number of years he also conducted the first sanitary dairy farm in this section.
June 2, 1884, at Port Arthur, Ontario, Mr. Hayes married Miss Hannah Campbell, of Toronto. She died in 1891, and her only daughter, Gertrude, is now living at Detroit, Michigan. November 14, 1893, Mr. Hayes married Miss Margaret Shannon, of Duluth. The children born to their marriage are Arthur, Winifred, Wilbur and Marie. Marie died when only two months old. Both sons trained as soldiers during the World war. Arthur graduated with the degree of Doctor of Philosophy from Notre Dame University, and was a young man of brilliant qualifica- tions. While in the university he distinguished himself for his literary gifts and won a prize for his literary efforts. His genius bore fruit in literary productions that soon became recognized for their merit and were eagerly sought and published in magazines. The young author while just entering upon a career of great promise accepted the call to the colors and went into training as a soldier at Camp Grant, Illinois, where on April 16, 1918, at the age of twenty-three, he died of pneumonia. The other son, Wilbur, was a student in the Officers' Training School at Camp Pike, Arkansas, when the armistice was signed, and is now sales manager for the Minnesota Utilities Company at Chisholm. The daugh- ter Winifred is a graduate of Northwestern University at Evanston, Illi- nois, and is teaching music.
The numerous associations of Mr. Hayes with the development of Chisholm can be noted only briefly. In 1903, in order to help the com- munity, he carried the mail from the Great Northern Railroad to Exmore, about a mile distant. He also started the move and was elected by the Commercial Club as chairman of a committee of four to induce the Duluth, Missabe & Northern Railroad to extend its line to Chisholm, and it was largely his personal exertions and persevering influence that brought success to this endeavor. Mr. Hayes has long been active in local affairs, served as justice of the peace from 1902 to 1906, for nine years was a member of the Water, Light and Building Board, was a street commissioner in early days and was appointed to similar office in 1919, served one term as president of the Commercial Club, was president of the Farmers' Club five years, has been a director of the First National Bank, and is a member of the Kiwanis Club, Knights of Columbus at Hibbing, Modern Woodmen of America, and in politics is an independent Democrat. Mr. Hayes and his family are members of St. Joseph's Catholic Church.
CHARLES B. WOODRUFF, president of the Woodruff Lumber Company and one of the veteran lumber operators in the Duluth district has been known to the trade as a manufacturer and dealer for over thirty-seven years.
Mr. Woodruff was born in Detroit, Michigan, and in 1884 came to Duluth with the Barnhart Lumber Company and entered the lumber busi- ness, manufacturing lumber from the logs and selling their output of white pine to the trade in Minnesota, Dakota and the southwest for three years, when he succeeded the Barnhart Lumber Company by himself, under the firm name of C. B. Woodruff. With his own capital he con- ducted mill and yards and sold and shipped lumber to the trade in North Dakota and Minnesota.
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Finally, in 1907, his business interests were incorporated under the title of the Woodruff Lumber Company, with himself as president and his nephew, Arthur W. King, as secretary and treasurer. This company is engaged in the manufacturing of interior finish, doors, sash, millwork of all kinds, along with the general lumber business, handling and selling all kinds of lumber, pine, hardwoods, California and Washington Coast fir lumber and timbers. The Woodruff Lumber Company employ about one hundred men, and has a model plant and factory extending from 800 to 925 on Garfield avenue (Rice's Point) where their offices are located. They also have a large distributing warehouse and yard at 22nd avenue, East, and the Duluth & Iron Range Railroad tracks in east end of the city.
F. P. STEVENSON, manager of the Stevenson Motor Sales Company, has become a prominent figure in the automobile industry at Duluth, though he also gained a name in local business circles during his years of association with the laundry business.
Mr. Stevenson was born in New Brunswick, Canada, April 29, 1876, and was eight years of age when his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Steven- son, came to the United States and located at Duluth. His father was for many years employed by the Zenith Dredge Company and died in 1917. Of the family of ten children F. B. Stevenson is the sixth in age and six of them are still living.
He was educated in the public schools of Duluth and at the age of twelve began in a measure to support himself as water boy for the laborers engaged in building the city docks. Subsequently for two and and a half years he was clerk in a local grocery store, and then became driver of a laundry wagon. In 1912 he invested his capital in a laundry business of his own at 20th avenue, West. and continued it for five years. Since 1918 Mr. Stevenson has been in the automobile business as manager of the Stevenson Motor Sales Company, handling both new and secondhand automobiles, operating a large garage and repair shop at 302 East First street. The company handles the Westcott and the Moore 30.
Mr. Stevenson is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows, the Modern Samaritans, the Modern Woodmen of America, the Scottish Clans, and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, while politically his support is given to the Republican party. October 16, 1907, he married Miss Miriam Gregory. Mrs. Stevenson was liber- ally educated and is a talented musician, and for several years was a teacher of piano. She is well known in musical and social circles of Duluth. They have three children: Virginia, born in July. 1908; Dale, born in August, 1910; and Grace, born in November, 1917.
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