History of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan

Houghton County 

Source: History of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan: containing a full account of its early settlement, its growth, development, and resources, an extended description of its iron and copper mines : also, accurate sketches of its counties, cities, towns, and villages ... biographical sketches, portraits of prominent men and early settlers. Publication Info: Chicago : Western Historical Co., 1883. Pages 286-291.

HANCOCK.

This village may be called the twin sister of Houghton, being only divided by Portage Lake, less than a mile in width. Like her sister diagonally across the lake, it lies upon the bluffy slope from the lake, though of a somewhat sharper incline toward the north. The land upon which it stands was originally owned by C. C. Douglas, and by him sold to the Quincy Mining Company, of which he was a member, and the first agent. The village, then in Portage Township, was laid out and platted in 1859, by Samuel W. Hill, then the agent of the Quincy Mining Company, upon their land, on Sections 26 and 35, Township 55, north of Range 34 west. Like the other villages and hamlets of the county, it was the growth of the mining interests. Had no copper mines been discovered in this region, quite likely there would have been no Hancock, nor other villages hereabouts. Hancock was incorporated under a charter in 1875, and amended in 1877.

Among the early pioneers of Hancock were C. C. Douglas, James A. Close, Aaron, Samuel F. and Henry Leopold, Phillip Scheuermann, James Ross, Mr. Boswell, John Ryan, Peter Ruppe, David L. Kendall, Rev Edward Jacker, Edward Ryan, Henry Drittler, Mr Mathew, Dennis Coughlin, A. Ruhl, S. W. Hill, and others whose names were not ascertained.

The first election of village officers under its charter was held at the office of William Lapp, March 10, 1863, at which the following officers were elected: President, Henry C. Park; Clerk, William Lapp; Treasurer, P. T. Tracy; Trustees, Dennis Dean, Samuel F. Leopold, William R. Noble, P. G. Tracy, Thomas Wallace and James D. Reed; Assessors, David Saar, M. W. Fecheimer; Marshal, Patrick Felbey. There were 196 votes cast.

The first assessed valuation of the village, in May, 1863, was $146,875, upon which a tax levy of $1,633.32 was made. This sum was divided into the following funds: Water fund, $1,028.12; incidental fund, $440.63; highway fund, $117; fees for collecting the aggregate tax were $47.57.

The Leopold Brothers erected the first store building in Hancock in 1858. They came from Eagle Harbor and Eagle River as soon as the village was laid out, and started the first store. The first building where Hancock now stands was a log cabin, built in 1846, and stood about midway up the slope toward the Quincy Mine. It was erected at that piont to hold what was known as the Ruggles Mineral Claim. Besides this cabin, there were, in 1852, two other log cabins in the ravine just back or north of the copper smelting works, in one of which James Ross, connected with the Quincy Mine, then lived. Although Mr. C. C. Douglass did not remain a permanent resident of Hancock, yet he was the first individual owner of the land upon which it stands, and, in 1852, made his residence thereon, in a log house on the slope of the bluff, where he remained until 1854.

Another early comer was S. M. Boswell, who, in 1852, made a claim, by pre-emption, to the land where the Pewabic Stamp Mill now stands, east of the village.

On Sunday, the 11th day of April, 1869, Hancock, which had then grown to quite a pretentious size, was almost entirely destroyed by fire. About three-fourths of the entire village, including all, or nearly all, the business houses, churches, residences, etc., were, in a brief space of time, swept away. The fire was caused by a defective stovepipe flue in a saloon standing where Coughlin's livery stable now stands. The business houses were all rebuilt the same year, except that of Leopold & Austrian, who did not rebuild again. The town recovered from this destructive loss within the next two years. As before noted, that portion of Portage Township in which the village of Hancock was located was, April 1, 1861, set off and organized into a new township, called Hancock, wherein the first election of township officers was held at the store of Baer & Brothers, at which F. Leopold was chosen Moderator; James H. Ralston and Nathan D. Potter, Inspectors; and E. J. Northrup, Clerk; thus constituting the Board of Election. The following officers were chosen: Supervisor, Samuel S. Robinson; Clerk, Elijah G. Northrup; Justices of the Peace, Nathan D. Potter, Henry H. Hazelton and Henry G. Chase; Treasurer, Shadrach Gillett; Commissioners of Highways, John C. Ryan, O. K. Patterson and Henry H. Hazelton; School Inspectors, John H. Forster and James H. Mather; Constables, John H. Brown, Peter Kapplekom, William McCallenk and M. Dugan.

The present township officers are: Supervisor, A. J. Scott; Clerk, Michael Finn; Treasurer, P. C. Sullivan: school Inspector, S. E. Whitney; Justice of the Peace, M. Finn; Constables, John C. Flynn, Adam Hananer, Jacob Rentenback and B. Schnider; Commissioner of Highways, P. C. Sullivan.

POST OFFICE.

As soon as a settlement was formed, among the first objects of the pioneers was the establishment of a post office, which was established in 1858, with E. L. Mason as the first Postmaster. The office was first kept in the store of Leopold & Austrian, on the northwest corner of Water and Reservation streets, for two years, when it was removed to the store of R. Sheldon & Co., on the southeast corner of Quincy and Tuscuco streets. Here it remained for some six years, under the administration of Charles Heinbeck as the second Postmaster, who was succeeded by Thomas M. Lee, under whose administration the office was removed to Second street, about opposite to the present Masonic Hall, where it remained for some ten years. Lee was succeeded by the present incumbent, M. L. Cardell, who was appointed May 10, 1878, who moved the office to its present location, on Reservation street. The present quarterly receipts of this office are something over those of its sister Houghton, over the lake. They are both salaried offices, with like compensation.

FIRE DEPARTMENT.

The Hancock Fire Department was organized March 1, 1871, and its first purchase was a hand engine from Rumsey & Co., the following summer; and, early in 1873, they purchased a double cylinder steam fire engine, Coles Bros'. pattern. They now have on hand 2,500 feet of hose. The water supply is excellent. Besides the lake front, they have a series of cisterns on the slope, connected with small ones on the corners of the main street; one cistern, forty by sixty feet, and fourteen feet deep, located near the tramway to the Quincy Mine, is elevated about two hundred feet above Quincy street; and about one hundred feet below is another, thirty by forty by fourteen feet. These are both connected with the cisterns at the engine house and small cisterns at the street intersections. Just to the west of Ravine street is another cistern, on the slope, thirty by forty by fourteen feet; and still further west is another smaller one. But the main feature of this supply is a three-inch pipe, extending 3,220 feet on Quincy street, and some 350 feet on Ravine street, connecting with the five-inch pipe leading from a stationary engine at the lake to the Quincy Mine on the hill, an elevation of over five hundred feet. This pipe is also connected with the different cisterns along Quincy street, with fire-plugs and valves so arranged that hose can be directly attached at all necessary points. By connecting this pipe with the steamer in the engine house, when the Quincy engine is not working, water can be forced to any point along the line, and thrown as readily, through hose attached to the fire-plugs, as though the engine was working at the spot.

Thus the village is well prepared for effective battle against fire. It has a well-constructed and ample wooden building, with cupola and bell, located at the east end of Quincy, the main street of the town. The organization is well manned, and effective in the hours of duty.

PRODUCTIVE INDUSTRIES.

Prominent among the productive industries of Hancock is the Detroit and Lake Superior Copper Company—copper smelting works. This is now one of the largest copper smelting and refining works in the world, and is the first in the production of refined copper, the company operating works on Portage Lake and at Detroit, both of which are now under the management of Mr. James R. Cooper. The works were originally started in Detroit, through the efforts of Mr. John R. Grout, who was one of the early pioneers and operators in the Lake Superior copper region, and has been closely identified with its interests and progressive development, much of which is really due to his energy and perseverance. In 1850, he became associated with some capitalists of Waterbury, Conn., and, with them, organized the Waterbury and Detroit Copper Company, with J. M. L. Scoville, President; John S. Mitchell, Secretary, and John R. Grout, Superintendent and Manager, and the works were erected in Detroit, and a little copper smelted that year. The products of these works were readily increased as the mining developments were advanced, and the product of refined metal in 1855 was 2,895 tons. The rapid increase of the quantity of raw copper produced by the extended mining operations, stimulated by the impetus given them by the smelting works, soon made it apparent that smelting works must also be placed in the vicinity of the mines to accommodate more fully the expansion of the copper interests. In 1860, the erection of the present extensive works was commenced by the Portage Lake Smelting Company—E. D. Brigham, Secretary and Treasurer, and John Williams, Superintendent—on the north side of Portage Lake, between Houghton and Hancock. In 1867, a union was formed by the Waterbury and Detroit Company, under the name of the Detroit and Lake Superior Copper Company, and the management of both works was placed under the control of Mr. Grout, which he supervised up to the time of his death. Mr. James R. Cooper, the present Manager, commenced with Mr. Grout in the spring of 1851, and, in the fall of 1854, became foreman and Superintendent of the Detroit works under Mr. Grout, and has also had the superintendence of the works at Portage Lake since 1873, in which capacity he continued until the decease of Mr. Grout, in January, 1882, when he was elected as Manager of the united works, with which he has been so long identified.

Their furnaces are an improvement of the Welch reverberatory air furnaces. The coal, being converted into gas and carbon vapor, is mixed with currents of heated air at the bridge, and maintains an even and steady heat throughout the furnace. They have at Portage Lake three large buildings, with four air furnaces in each; another large building, with four blast furnaces or cupolas for melting the slag and reducing it to a matt to use in the refining hearth along with the fresh ore, besides buildings for engines and machinery, smithshops and assay works, large cooperage works for making and repairing barrels, with platforms, docks and yards, covering about ten acres of ground.

They are now working the products of nearly all the mines in the copper region, studying closely the nature of the products of each mine, to enable them to work them in such a manner as to produce the highest grade of refined copper.

The annual product of these works has increased steadily from the commencement, the united works producing 28,000 tons of refined copper during the last year. Mr. Cooper is ably assisted in the conduct of the works by D. B. Cooper, foreman; Robert Middlemiss, assistant foreman; Z. W. Wright, financial clerk; C. Smith, clerk; M. B. Patch,
chemist and assayer, and Joseph Curnow, assistant assayer.

The Lake Superior Iron Works, on the north bank of Portage Lake, were built in 1869, by Mr. S. F. Hodge, as a branch of the Riverside Iron Works at Detroit. They were burned down in 1875, involving a heavy loss, but were immediately rebuilt. They employ from fifty to eighty men, and manufacture from 500 to 600 tons of castings annually, running two engines. S. F. Hodge, sole proprietor; Harvey S. Hodge, Manager.

Shelden Foundry is located on Portage Lake, about one mile east of Hancock, at a hamlet called Ripley. It is under the careful management of Mr. Carlos D. Shelden, of Houghton, and is doing an extensive and thriving manufacturing and jobbing business.

The Sturgeon River Lumber Company was organized December 23, 1872, by J. A. Close, E. L. Wright, J. N. Wright, F. D. White, S. D. North and O. W. Robinson, with a capital of $50,000. The mill, located on the north bank of Portage Lake, at the western end of Hancock Village, was built in 1873, with a capacity for working up 8,000,000 feet of lumber a season, employing fifty men. It is run by an engine 20x30 inches. They also organized, January 27, 1875, the Sturgeon River Boom Company, building heavy stone piers and placing booms at a bend of the river nearly six miles above its mouth, from which they have cut a canal over thirteen hundred feet across the marsh to Pike Bay, where their logs are stored. This company have about one thousand acres of land, and control six miles of water front, on Sturgeon River and Pike Bay. They now have facilities for handling 50,000,000 feet of logs, with a capacity, when improved, of 200,000,000 feet. Capital stock of boom company, $25,000, divided into 250 shares F. G. White, James A. Close and J. N. Wright, Directors; F. G. White, President; and E. L. Wright, Secretary and Treasurer.

The saw-mill and lumber establishment of Matt M. Moralee is located on the north shore of Portage Lake, in the west part of Hancock. It was rebuilt in 1881; is operated by steam power, with a working capacity of 30,000 feet of lumber per day of ten hours. He employs thirty men. This mill was first built in 1860, with a capacity of 12,000 feet per day only, which was destroyed by fire in 1865, and rebuilt at once on a larger scale, and thus operated until 1881, when it was rebuilt as above noted. Mr. Moralee was associated in business with J. H. Olds from the first until the death of the latter, in August, 1872, caused by the explosion of a steam tug boiler belonging to this firm. They also owned a saw-mill and sash and door factory at Ripley, a hamlet a mile east of Hancock, in which they employ fifty men, and operated for seven years. They also built a grist-mill opposite the Atlantic Stamp Mill on Portage Lake, which cost $20,000, but was never operated as such, for the want of grain to grind. Hence it became dead property. Mr. White is the junior associate of the Ripley works.

The Hancock Ashery is owned by Fred Boss, and makes about one hundred barrels of potash annually, worth about $25 a barrel, using about ten thousand bushels of ashes a year.

M. J. Gement's wagon manufactory and blacksmithing was established at the foot of Reservation street in June, 1880. Averages about $15,000 a year.

COMMERCIAL INTERESTS.

The mercantile interest in its various branches is well represented in Hancock by old and well-established houses. Edward Ryan, Peter Ruppe & Son, A. J. Wertin & Sons, H. L. Hennes, Peter Holman, Max Bear and William Condon are the leading dealers in general merchandise, clothing, etc., adapted to the mining population of this section. In the grocery and provision line are William Mason, James Manley, James Dennis, Stephen Carkett and William Roberts. In the hardware are William Kerridge and M. L. Crandell. There are also two well-appointed drug stores, by A. J. Scott and Dr. P. H. Gallagher; and G. Deimel, an extensive dealer in jewelry, watches, etc.

As an auxiliary of the productive and commercial interests of a community are its money institutions, in 1872, W. H. Streeter opened the first bank, a private institution, which only continued until the close of the next year.

In November, 1872, E. H. Towar also opened a private bank, with a capital of $28,000, which, in May, 1874, was converted into the present First National Bank of Hancock, with a capital of $100,000. Its present officers are: S. North, President; James A. Close, Vice President; and H. Toman, Cashier. They own its building, located on Reservation street, built of brick. It does a healthy business.

EDUCATIONAL INTERESTS.

Hancock has a thoroughly organized and well-conducted union school. It was first kept in a frame building up the slope on Franklin street, from 1869 to 1875. In the latter year, a new, ample and elegant school building was constructed on Quincy street, at the west end of the village and outside of the corporate limits, at a cost of $29,050. It is veneered with brick over frame, except the basement, which is solid wall. They have eight departments, including the high school, and employ eight teachers, including one for music. There are 1,100 scholars of school age in the district, with 400 enrolled, and with an average attendance of 314 daily.

Besides this, the Catholics and Lutherans have each a sectarian school for their denominations, which are managed at their own expense. The first school on this side of the lake was opened at the Pewabic Mine, as a mining school, and was attended by six or seven scholars. The wages of teachers range from $35 to $135 per month, averaging $51.43.

RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS.

The First Congregational Church is located on the southwest corner of Hancock and Tezcuco streets. The first steps toward the organization were taken December 5, 1861, at a meeting of the citizens held for that purpose. In the spring of 1862, the society was organized by Rev. Thos. Bliss, and the church edifice was completed and dedicated in January, 1863; cost, $4,500. In 1869, the building and furniture were burned. It was speedily rebuilt, and at a cost of $14,000, and was again dedicated June 5, 1870. The Sunday school increased from forty, in 1861, to 450 at present. The church was organized without the aid of a council, and has remained independent, having no form of fellowship with the churches of the denomination until August, 1879. It has now 184 members. Edward L. Wright is the present Superintendent of the Sunday school. First membership of the society was but sixteen. The church edifice is a neat and ample frame structure, standing on the slope and overlooking Portage Lake. The society is in good financial condition. The pastors since the organization have been Revs. Thomas E. Bliss, from 1862 to 1863; Fayette Hurd, from 1863 to 1864; C. B. Stevens, from 1865 to 1868; P. H. Hollister, from 1868 to 1876, the date of his death; W. W. Curtis, from 1876 to 1877; E. R. Stiles, from 1877 to 1881, when the present incumbent, Frank N. White, was installed, who was born in Lyons, Iowa, in 1858. The Deacons are G. W. Rider and A. C. Patterson, appointed January 23, 1863.

The Methodist Episcopal Church, located on the northeast corner of Hancock and Ravine streets, is the outgrowth of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Houghton. The initiatory steps for the erection of the present church edifice were taken in the winter of 1860, under the direction of Rev. Robert Bird. At this time, twelve members constituted its membership. The corner-stone was laid with proper ceremonies July 7, 1861; Rev. F. A. Blades, of Ann Arbor, orator. Under the able management of its pastor, Rev. John M. Van Every, who is now in the latter part of his third year in this place, the church edifice was moved, in June, 1881, to make room for the fine parsonage since erected. At the same time, a large basement was made to the church. By these improvements, about $2,000 has been added to the value of the property. They have also added a large bell, purchased new pulpit furniture, and built new walks and fences. The society now numbers about one hundred Has a flourishing Sunday school, and is out of debt.

The St. Ann Catholic Church, on the northeast corner of Quincy and Ravine streets, was built in 1861, by Rev. Edward Jacker, who organized the congregation in that year, and remained its pastor until 1866, from which time until 1880 the congregation was under the charge of Revs. Edmund Walsch, James Sweeney, William Dwyer and Fred Eis, when Father Jacker was again installed as pastor. They have a large school and dwelling house for the Sisters, who are the teachers, and have about four hundred pupils in attendance. There are eight teachers, including the music teacher. Boys are only admitted until twelve years of age. The adults and children in this congregation number about thirty-nine hundred.

St. Peter and St. Paul's German Lutheran Church, on the northeast corner of Hancock and Montezuma streets, was founded in 1866, by Rev. J. E. Wuebben. At that time, there were eight members. The building was erected at that time, which is now the pastorate and main school building of the society. In 1873, he was succeeded by Rev. Ebert, who erected a separate school building, now used for the primary classes, the membership at this time being twenty-two. In 1878, Rev. Phillip Wambsganss, the present pastor, was called to the charge. In 1881, a new church building was erected, at a cost of $4,000. They have now a congregation of sixty-two members. Mr. Wambsganss also preaches once a month in the Methodist Church at Torch Lake, and in the schoolhouse at Atlantic.

BENEVOLENT SOCIETIES.

There are a good number of this class of societies in Hancock, all of which seem to be well patronized and supported. Of these, Quincy Lodge, F. & A. M., No. 135, commenced work under a dispensation in 1861, and was organized under a charter from the Grand Lodge of the State of Michigan, January 10, 1862. It has a membership of about seventy. Regular meetings every third Tuesday in each month. Hall, southeast corner of Hancock and Ravine streets.

Gate of the Temple Chapter, R. A. M., No. 35, was instituted January 10, 1865. Has about one hundred and twenty members. Regular meetings fourth Wednesday in each month, in Masonic Hall.

Mystic Lodge, I. O. O. F., was instituted August 8, 1867. It has ninety members, and is in a flourishing condition financially. Meets in Masonic Hall building every Monday night.

Foster Encampment, No. 24, I. O. O. F., was instituted January 13, 1868. Has forty members, and is in a flourishing condition. Regular meetings, third Thursday of every month, in the same hall as the subordinate lodge.

German Benevolent Society, organized in 1860, hold regular meetings the first Sunday in every month, at their hall on Quincy street. They have a membership of about one hundred.

St. Joseph's Society was organized in October, 1877, and has a membership of 180. It is an incorporated society, and has $1,800 in its treasury, and banners and regalia worth $500 more. Regular meetings, the last Sunday of every month, in Germania Hall. It belongs to the Central Verein, a union of all the German Catholic societies in the United States.

Ancient Order of Foresters, Court Rising Sun, No. 5,960, was organized April 9, 1876, under a charter from the High Court of the Order, Worcester, England, granted to John Stapleton, John Martyn and Thomas Bates. It is an incorporated benevolent association; has 126 members, and $1,700, in the treasury, and some $600 in furniture and regalia. Regular meetings at Foresters' Hall, on Quincy street, every Saturday except the last in each month.

The Ancient Order of the Shepherds constitutes the second degree lodge, and is working under dispensation in concert with the former.

The Order of Hermann's Sons was organized in the city of New York in 1840; established in Hancock in 1865. Meet every other Wednesday, in Masonic Hall building. They have a lodge also at Calumet and at Lake Linden, with a total membership in Houghton County of 140. Henry Drittler, of Hancock, is the Representative to Grand Lodge from Michigan. They have $600 to $700 in the treasury for benevolent proposes. The society numbers about twenty-seven thousand in the United States.

The Soldiers' and Sailors' Association of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan was organized in September, 1879, for holding re-unions and social gatherings. It now numbers about eighty-five members. August 27, 1882, they held a re-union at Lake Linden, which was greatly enjoyed by the veterans and their friends.

St. Patrick's Society was organized in 1860, with seventy members. Their first hall was burned down in 1881, and their new hall was completed and used July 4, 1882, and is valued at $10,000. They have expended for benevolent purposes since their organization over $30,000. At the time of their incorporation, in 1874, they had a membership of 180. Hall, southeast corner of Quincy and Ravine streets. The first officers were: Wm. Ryan, President; Capt. James H. Quinn, Vice President; Secretary, J. H. Kerwin; Treasurer, E. Ryan. Present officers are P. Cudihy, President; J. B. Looney, Vice President; M. Redmond, Secretary and Treasurer. Their hall is a high frame structure, 40x80 feet, well arranged and finely furnished inside, and is used for theaters, lectures and other public purposes.

The Ancient Order of Hibernians of Hancock is one of the oldest divisions in the State, and had been instituted two or three years before the State society was incorporated by special act of the Legislature in 1879. They hold regular meetings in St. Patrick's Hall the last Sunday in every month. Have 110 members, and from $1,600 to $1,700 in the treasury as a beneficiary fund.

Robert Emmett Young Men's Benevolent Society was organized March 4, 1880, by Peter S. Harrington, John J. Sullivan, Dennis Riley and Cornelius Harrington. Is an incorporated society. Has about one hundred members. Regular meetings in St. Patrick's Hall second and third Sundays in each month. They have about $600 in the treasury, and are in a flourishing condition.

LITERARY SOCIETIES.

The Young Men's Literary Association of Hancock was organized in March, 1875, by E. L. Wright, C. Wright, C. A. Stringer, W. B. Anderson, R. O. Davidson and E. A. Mack, who established a reading room, and lecture courses for literary advancement. It now has a membership of sixty-five. Its first officers were: President, E. L. Wright; Vice President, E. A. Mack; Secretary, W. B. Anderson; Treasurer, C. A. Stringer; Librarian, F. W. R. Berry. The above officers constituted the Board of Management. This society was started mainly through the instrumentality of Rev. R. H. Hollister, of the Congregational Church, which gave it free room until 1878, when it moved into the Masonic Block, where it remained until December, 1881, when it moved into Scott's Block, its present quarters. It is kept up at an expense of $300 a year, and was designed to promote a healthy moral and literary influence with the young men of the town. Has course of lectures each winter, and maintains a good reading room. Its present officers are: President, A. S. Whitney; Vice President, James Pierce; Secretary, Miss Ella E. Dean; Treasurer, R. O. Davidson; Librarian, A. W. Lord. Ladies are now also admitted to its membership.

The Emerald Literary Society. Through the efforts of Dr. P. H. Gallagher, a debating and lecture association was formed in 1874. On St. Patrick's night, 1876, a social gathering was held at the hall, and addresses were made by Dr. Gallagher, Thomas M. Brady, John C. Flynn, James Looney and Dr. Scallon. Through the united efforts of the organizers, a library of nearly three hundred volumes has been founded, and they now have about $500 in the treasury, and twenty-five members in good standing. Meet in St. Patrick's Hall.

HOTELS.

There are several public houses for the entertainment of travelers. Among these the Lake View House stands conspicuous. It was purchased in 1872 by Thomas Smart, then a frame structure 36x40 feet, two stories high, who kept it as a boarding house until 1881, when he enlarged it to 50x64 feet and three stories high, it now having a capacity for sixty guests. It is now the leading house of the town.

The Northwestern Hotel is centrally located on Quincy street, a frame structure of moderate size, two stories high, and kept by Fred Gettling. It was built since 1869.

The Pacific House is a quiet retreat for the traveling and boarding public, a good-sized frame structure, three stories high, located on Second street, and kept by John H. Thomas. It is one of the oldest houses in the village.

The Hancock Hotel is located on the northwest corner of Quincy street; is frame, two stories high, somewhat ancient in age, and kept by James P. Pearce.

There are two or three livery stables, wagon, blacksmith, paint, boot and shoe, tailor and other industrial shops, equal to the necessities of the people, besides moderate boarding houses and saloons, fully if not more than equal to the needs of the community.

Be it said the legal profession is not represented in Hancock by a single full-fledged practicing lawyer, while the medical, profession is represented by several physicians —Drs. Teiman, Flanner, Rhodes, Jennings.

THE PRESS.

The newspaper press of Hancock dates back to 1870 only, when Archy J. Scott and Alex Hamilton started the Hancock Times. The first number was issued November 12, a small sheet, eight by twelve inches, with four three-column pages. It announced at its head, "Published semi-occasionally, by Hamilton, Scott & Co."

Among the business cards of the first number in existence were those of W. W. Perry, M. D., Condon & Close, M. H. Mandlebaum; Morales, Olds & White, lumber; Holland & Patterson, hardware; T. D. Meads, jewelry for Christmas and other days; John Gibson, clothing; E. Ryan, dry goods; William Washburn, books, etc.; and Hocking & Trescott, telling where the inner man can be stimulated with the "ardent." Marriages were announced under the head of "Slaughter of Innocents," the first being "Mr. Stephen Nichols, Assistant Postmaster at Calumet, and Miss Hannah James, slaughtered by Rev. P. H. Hollister, October 5, 1870. No cards."

It was a spicy, plucky little paper, exhibiting no mean order of talent and enterprise. But it closed its brief but brilliant career February 17, 1872, with a "Personal Tale of Blasted Hopes."

The next paper started in Hancock was the Northwestern Mining Journal. The first number was issued May 1, 1872, by E. B. Kibbie and John Wilson, publishers and editors. It was a twenty-four by thirty-six inch sheet, folio form, six columns to the page, devoted to the mining interests of this region and to local affairs. After a year or two of existence, Mr. Wilson retired, and the paper was enlarged to a twenty-eight by forty inch sheet, eight columns to the page, folio in form, with Mr. Kibbie as its sole publisher and editor. The Journal has always been regarded good authority in mining matters. For some time, Mr. R. P. Tuter, an efficient newspaper man, has rendered editorial assistance on the Journal. The establishment occupies its own building, a substantial stone structure on the northwest corner of Reservation and Quincy streets, equipped with steam-power presses, etc. The Journal is now the only paper published in Hancock.

However, in January, 1877, another paper was started in the village as a candidate for public favor, by William and Patrick Harley, called the Lake Superior News. Like most of the Upper Peninsula papers, it was neutral in politics, religion, and everything else except mining and local interests. It was a folio sheet of seven columns to the page. It was established in connection with the Harley Bros'. book-bindery, which was started in September, 1874, and stopped October, 1878, but was found to be a non-paying venture, and therefore was discontinued after six months' existence.

The assessed valuation of the property of Hancock Village for the present year, 1882, is $226,700, which the law requires to be made at full cash valuation. The levy upon this assessment was $3,400.50, apportioned to the general, highway and fire funds.

The present officers of the village, 1882, are: President, Edward Ryan; Recorder, M. Finn; Treasurer, A. J. Scott; Assessors, Henry Drittler. Michael Doyle; Marshal, J. C. Flynn; Trustees, P. Ruppe, W. H. Roberts, Thomas Smart, Jacob Baer, M. M. Moralee, Adolph Rhul.