1921 Duluth & St Louis County MN, Van Brunt.pdf - Garon.us

DULUTH AND ST. LOUIS COUNTY 901
at Ishpeming, Marquette County, that state, until 1901, when he resolved
to seek his fortune on the Mesaba Range, and came to Virginia, where
he was made foreman of the Mornoces Mine. Later he opened the
Mohawk Mine at Aurora. Subsequently (he was engaged in operating
the Syracuse and Bangor Mines, and then came to Biwabik. A man of
sound common sense, he has always taken a constructive part in civic
affairs, for he has realized that if the solid men of a community neglect
public matters they fall into the hands of the incompetent or dishonest.
During his childhood and youth ihe had so few educational advantages
that he is anxious to see that exceptionally good ones are provided for the
children of Biwabik and throughout St. Louis County, and is not backward
in making his opinions and convictions public. For a year while
residing at Aurora he served as a member of the town council, and for
seven years was chairman of the township board of that community.
In 1905 Mr. Vickers was united in marriage with Rose Shillman
of Ishpeming, Michigan. They have three sons, namely: Mathew, Joseph
and Arthur. Fraternally Mr. Vickers belongs to Biwabik Lodge,
A. F. & A. M., and Duluth Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., at Duluth, Minnesota
; and is a member of Diamond Lodge, I. O. O. F. at Biwabik. In
politics he is a Republican. One of his brothers, William Vickers, is also
a resident of Biwabik and is leader of its band. Mr. Vickers' distinguishing
characteristic is firmness,, combined with force of character, indomitable
energy and executive ability, all of which have been potent
agencies for his advancement to different places of trust and responsibil-
ity not only in business but public affairs. Although not born in this
country, he is very representative of its spirit and devoted to its institutions,
and rejoices in the fact that in it he is able to give his children
advantages way beyond those his father afforded his offspring.
Fred Bavha is one of the oldest merchants from the standpoint of
continuous years of service at Duluth. He has been a furniture dealer
here for over thirty years, and his business is one of the landmarks of
the city's commercial district.
He was born at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, February 15, 1856, a
son of Lewis liayha. At the age of twenty-one, having finished his education
and with a limited commercial training, he moved out to Huron
County, Michigan, wihere after working on a farm six months he became
a clerk in a general store. He remained there four years, and after
a brief visit back to Philadelphia returned to Huron County, Michigan,
and married Louise Febig. For four years after his marriage Mr.
Bayha was in the commission business at Alpena, Michigan, and in 1&S7
reached Duluth, where he entered the retail furniture business on Nineteenth
avenue and Superior street. While located there high water
flooded his store and entailed heavy losses. He was in that first location
three years and then for six years at 108-110 First avenue, West.
In 1892 he took in his brothers, George and Phil, under the firm name
Bayha & Co. His next location was on Superior street and First avenue.
East, where he remained six years, then for ten years his store
was on Second avenue, from which it was moved to its jircsent location
at 226-228 West Superior. The firm have always done a large business,
and maintain one of the best selected stocks in the north country.
Mr. Bayha is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias, the .'Xncicnt Order
of L'nitcd Workmen, the Independent ( )rdcr of Foresters and is a
member of the Commercial Club and the Lutheran Church. By his first
marriage he had four children, the two living being Fred, Jr., and George
E. George liatl a period of service with the colors during the World