History of Bessemer Michigan
History of Bessemer Michigan
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Link to Nelson Jesmer documents Biographical letter by Jesse Johnson How the Jesmers came to Minnesota Link to Joseph A. Jesmer (Nelson’s Dad)
According to Ted Jesmer (grandson), “Nelson A. Jesmer, came to Bessemer Michigan, I believe in 1885. He was married in November 1885 and was listed on the marriage certificate as a hotel keeper. According to the book on the history of Bessemer 1885-1894, there was a major financial disaster in mining regions of the area in 1893. Many mines were closed and declared bankruptcy. I believe that the Jesmer family left Bessemer in late 1893 or early 1894. This can not be fully verified, as all newspapers, prior to the middle of 1894, were burned and no copies exist.
The Catholic church:
Founding. In 1886, just two years after the founding of the city of Bessemer, Father John Hennessy was sent to look after Catholics settling in the community. He held services in a hall above a store, but also purchased two lots, at the corner of Iron and Case streets.
Father Hennessy’s successor, Father Edward Bordas, oversaw construction of the first church. A steeple was soon added. Upon completion of the building, Bishop John Vertin dedicated the new church to St. Sebastian on Feb. 3, 1889. A rectory was also built in 1889. Membership and support of the parish plunged as the mining industry hit a decline in the 1890s, causing a long list of priests to serve short stints at St. Sebastian over the next 10 years.
Pastors. Fathers John Hennessy, 1886; Edward Bordas, 1886-1887; John Henn, 1887; Fabian Pawlar, 1887-1889; Joseph Kunes, 1889-1893; J. B. McGowan, 1893; William Joisten, 1893; Philip Erlach, 1893-1894; Martin Kehoe, 1894; Fredrick Eis, 1894; Joseph Haas, 1894-1895; Antoine Rezek 1895; Anthony Hodnick, 1895-1897; Adam
Bessemer is located on US-2 and was founded back in the 1880’s when Iron Ore was discovered on the site of the current city. The Colby mine was the first operating Iron mine on the Gogebic Range and soon additional mines were dug. In addition to Iron mining, logging was a major industry in the area. The town which was later incorporated as a city in 1889 was named after Sir Henry Bessemer who had been the inventor of a iron and steel manufacturing process.
Today the mines no longer operate, but Bessemer has survived with the many businesses that the community takes pride in. The residents of Bessemer are well known for their civic pride and the town is home to many events such as the U.P.’s largest 4th of July celebration which draws crowds of several thousand people every year and Octobers Pumpkin Fest – also a popular attraction.
GogebicCounty is located at the far end of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, bordering Wisconsin. The county was named after the Chippewa word “agogebic,” which means ‘a body of water hanging on high’. This is an apt name for this area, which includes part of the southern Lake Superior coastline, 315 named lakes, (including the largest lake in the Upper Peninsula, Lake Gogebic), many inland rivers with 32 waterfalls!
Civilization came to the area around 1871 when iron was discovered near the Montreal River. The 1880’s turned the area into a cauldron of mining activity: The Gogebic range was the last U. P. iron range to be opened and at the peak of the mining era in 1920 produced 7 million tons annually. Mining activity ended in 1966 when the Peterson mine closed. Today tourism, including water recreation and winter sports like skiing and snowmobiling, remain the county’s top attraction.
Interesting places to visit include Ironwood, the westernmost city in Michigan,Bessemer, the county seat and Wakefield, on beautiful SundayLake. CopperPeak, once a functioning ski jump, is located about 12 miles north of Bessemer. From there, one can see Minnesota, Canada, and Wisconsin on a clear day. A waterfall guide can be obtained at various tourist information points.
HISTORY OF BESSEMER Michigan
as written in the 1888
Business & Mining Directory
Bessemer, the county seat of Gogebic County Michigan, is one of the liveliest and most substantial places on the range. It is the oldest town and its growth since first platted has been phenomenal
A few explorers settled here in 1884 but the real growth did not begin unfil the following year. The spring of that year, 1884, witnessed a rapid development. The Milwaukee Lake -Shore & Westen Railroad had pushed into Bessemer late the previous fall and had continued on toward it’s destination at Ashland. With it came hundreds of people to populate and explore this wonderful region.
A large share of these settled at Bessemer and began to clear off the lots and build and soon a thriving settlement began to appear among the forests of this northern county. It has continued ever since to grow until a beautiful little city is the result.
Among the earliest settlers were P H Dolan, Boarding House; Jeffres & Mickleson, hardweare & general store; Ehrmanneraur Bros., meat market; Hessmer & Long, Colby House; Frank Hiffing, , L E Fope & C D Fronier.
They were rapidly followed by hundreds of others until the population reaches into the thousands.
Like all other range towns however, it’s energies have been concentrated upon the iron industries. With the exception of the machine shops of Chas. McCann, and the manufacture of powder, no manufacturing industries exist. As the future advances there is no doubt that the industries will become more diversified.
At least the partial reduction of the iron ore found here in such large quantities is one of the probabilities of the near future. And, as Bessemer offers very fine inducements to those who contemplatethe erection of furnaces here, she will no doubt secure them.
Bessemer is finely situated on the north slope of Colby Hill with a gradual yet sufficient drainage to the north. Protected by the winds on all sides by high bluffs, which are beautiful as well as useful, and situated in the midst of a stately forrest, it is beyond doubt one of the most picturesque and lovely areas for a city in the northwest.
It’s natural beauty is added to by the public improvements which it’s energetic officials have carried out. In this respect, Bessemer is not surpassed by any town on the range. It’s streets & highways are beyond question the finest in Gogebic county. They are well graded, well drained and kept in perfect condition and bordered by substantial plank sidewalks.
During the past year a fine system of waterworks has been completed, furnishing ample protection in case of fire. There is a well organized and fully equipted fire department.
Over three miles of mains have been laid, with hydrants at convenient intervals throughout town.
A beautiful high school building has been erected on the slope of Colby Hillcosting $10,000, and will accommodate from 300 to 400 children.
A substantial City Hall building has been erected post summer, the first floor will be used by the fire dept & the second floor for city purposes.
There are one Roman Catholic & three Protestant churches in existence. Two church buildings have been erected one by the Roman Catholic and one by one of the Presbyterians. The law abiding portion of the population predominates here: the place being noted for being quiet & orderly.
The mineral resources surrounding this place are inexhaustible. The largest mine on the Gogebic Range is situated almost withinthe limits of the town. The Colby was the first mine discovered on the range. It has a north & south vein with the largest deposit of one yet found, being in the aggregate 250 feet wide. Six hundred thousand tons of ore have already been taken out of this mine and there is not the slightest evidence of any contraction of the deposit.
Besides the Colby, there are in close proximityto the town the Palms, anvil, Ironton, Puritan, Blue jacket and First National …all shipping mines of more or less magnitude, beside a number of partially developed properties that will become shippers in the course of the following season.
With all of these vast mineral resources almost within her borders, and with a fine agricultural region surrounding her that will ultimately be reduced to cultivation, Bessemer has a bright future before her.
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