[alanonly]

I'm interested in finding some information about Bessemer from the early 1900s. My grandparents came from either Czechoslovakia or Austria and gave birth to my father in that town.
What attracted settlers to this area? I was believing my grandfather was a coal miner. Is their any mining nearby?

[Farnorth]

Originally Posted by alanonly

I'm interested in finding some information about Bessemer from the early 1900s. My grandparents came from either Czechoslovakia or Austria and gave birth to my father in that town.
What attracted settlers to this area? I was believing my grandfather was a coal miner. Is their any mining nearby?

Bessemer and surrounding area attracted many people becaue of Iron ore mining. Many Iron mines operated in the Ironwood/Hurley/Bessemer/Wakefield area (also known as the Gogebic Range) starting back in the 1800's I believe. Copper mines are also to be found in the Upper Penninsula though I don't think there were any in immediate are near Bessemer. I have also not heard of any coal mines that operated either.

http://www.portup.com/~rah/bcchst.html

http://mattsonworks.com/index.html?r...companies.html

http://hunts-upguide.com/ironwood___...ge_detail.html