Volunteers working on Miners Memorial close to finishing an important task

In this week’s Ely Echo there is a list of 274 names of men who died working in Ely’s iron mines. The names are destined for a granite etching on what will be a permanent tribute at the Pioneer Mine site.

This project dates back to at least 2008 when a major effort was made to track down all the names of those who died while working, the vast majority underground.

Ely’s mining history dates back to 1888 and the first death was in 1889. By mine, the Pioneer was the deadliest with 94 names on the list, followed by Chandler at 61, Zenith with 44, Sibley with 24, Section 30 with 14, Savoy with 13 and then a smattering of other mines, plus nine where the data didn’t include the name of the mine.

To be sure, this was a very difficult task. Boxes of mine records at the State Historical Society were dug through along with old newspapers, city cemetery records and family histories.

The Ely Arts and Heritage Center board asked the Echo to publish this list one last time before the final etchings are made. Will it be perfect? Likely not. But they will be leaving space to add names inadvertently missed.

As time marches on in our fair city, this memorial is an important part of our history. Those men perished on the job, often in horrible deaths. Many barely spoke English, just having come here from Finland or Austria or Italy or wherever they left to make a better life.

At the Pioneer Mine, the story includes how the Conan, Pattison and Whiteside families (among others) pocketed millions of dollars from the ore dug out below what is now Miners Lake.

But the true price was paid in lives and we’re proud to see a recognition of that sacrifice.

 

274 names found for Miners Memorial

Check variations, some Ely names have changed spellings over time

Please contact Nick Wognum with potential changes at 218-365-3141 or elyecho@aol.com

MINERS NAMES Death Date AGE MINE NAME

Aarjala, Otto April 8, 1900 PIONEER

Anderson Haakan March 26, 1917 PIONEER

Anderson, Andrew July 23, 1889 CHANDLER

Anderson, Matt May 24, 1894 45 CHANDLER

Anderson, Otto June 12, 1893 CHANDLER

Antonelli, Mariano November 7, 1900 26 CHANDLER

Antonsic, Frank November 9, 1914 38 SIBLEY

Antonsich, Fred November 9, 1914 24 SIBLEY

Antonsich, John January 31, 1911 41 PIONEER

Arko, John March 27, 1918 33 MUD CREEK

Banks, Frank Jr. May 24, 1946 ZENITH

Barich, John October 11, 1890

Beckstrum, Leander March 20, 1911 47 PIONEER

Belaj, Frank January 20, 1893 25 CHANDLER

Benko Jr, Frank May 24, 1946 42 ZENITH

Benzo, Giuseppe January 10, 1918 33 ZENITH

Bevic, Matt March 27, 1918 34 MUD CREEK

Blazic, John February 6, 1919 SIBLEY

Boiz, John June 18, 1895 44 CHANDLER

Bojc, John November 7, 1891 CHANDLER

Boje, Frank October 11, 1890 CHANDLER

Bojec, Joseph December 5, 1892 CHANDLER

Bottish, Marcus October 29, 1890 CHANDLER

Brimsom, George March 17, 1920 34 SIBLEY

Buterac, Eli January 20, 1921 42 ZENITH

Caimi, Carlo January 28, 1920 27 ZENITH

Carlson, Nickelai July 7, 1904 34 PIONEER

Cencic, Vida November 6, 1944 52 PIONEER

ChimZar, Frank February 24, 1907 27 ZENITH

Christopher, John Peter February 16, 1922 50 ZENITH

Colombo, Ferdinand September 20, 1899 33 PIONEER

Cresovich, John April 27, 1911 30 ZENITH

Dianavic, Maks May 2, 1903 34 PIONEER

Drobnik, John December 10, 1924 60 PIONEER

Elliot, E. B June 21, 1899 45 ZENITH

Erickson, John April 4, 1889 CHANDLER

Erickson, Victor June 25, 1896 30 PIONEER

Evanoff, Nickola October 11, 1938 49 SIBLEY

Floridan, George January 18, 1900 30 SIBLEY

Franske, Oscar November 15, 1913 MUD CREEK

Fusca, Emanuelle February 2, 1927 31 PIONEER

Geleznik, John January 11, 1903 SIBLEY

Gerbajs February 9, 1894 CHANDLER

Gerdosich, George November 8, 1901 19

Glinsek, Joseph September 30, 1955 43 PIONEER

Globochnick, John May 9, 1902 19 PIONEER

Gorse, Louis April 17, 1914 ZENITH

Gorse, Matt October 12, 1909 22 SIBLEY

Grebenc, Frenk November 18, 1920 PIONEER

Gribben, Chas March 20, 1896 36 CHANDLER

Gustafson, Charles November 9, 1899 BALE’S CAMP

Habitc, Matt July 9, 1903 38 SAVOY

Hagar, John October 1895 OLIVER

Hakola, John May 12, 1891 22 CHANDLER

Hanala, Nat June 13, 1889 CHANDLER

Hannan, Ole June 19, 1889 CHANDLER

Hanson, Louis June 22, 1889 CHANDLER

Hanula, Matt June 13 1889 CHANDLER

Heitalahti , Oscar March 24, 1924 39 PIONEER

Hendrickson, John July 30, 1907 SHAGAWA

Hervok, George June 25, 1896 26 PIONEER

Hill, Eli March 4, 1924 39 PIONEER

Hiltalathi, Oscar March 23, 1912 29 ZENITH

Hobich, Matt July 10, 1907 38 SAVOY

Horvot, Anton December 3, 1914 ZENITH

Hubat, Josef August 8, 1913 32 ZENITH

Hufta, Matt December 9, 1906 PIONEER

Humer, John November 9, 1914 29 SIBLEY

Indehar, Frank August 8, 1918 46 SECTION 30

Indihar, Frank January 23, 1918 45 SECTION 30

Ivec, Leopold January 10, 1900 39 CHANDLER

Jardi, Carl July 15, 1918 SECTION 30

Jersin, Martin December 22, 1895 CHANDLER

Johnson, Anton January 14, 1892 33 ZENITH

Johnson, Herman March 30,, 1896 23 PIONEER

Johnson, Peter June 30, 1917 SECTION 30

Jokela, Matts January 14, 1901 PIONEER

Jylha, Jacob March 20, 1904 ZENITH

Kajuti, Erik October 24, 1900 33 CHANDLER

Kangas, John April 15, 1916 50 CHANDLER

Kauppi, Jacob November 5, 1901 36 PIONEER

Kavacic, Frank February 3, 1916 SIBLEY

Kaylivier, Jacob February 8, 1916 PIONEER

Klanfer, Luka September 20, 1948 60 ZENITH

Klobuchar, John December 17, 1942 45 CHANDLER

Klun, Anton February 13, 1914 PIONEER

Knous, John March 22, 1899 25 CHANDLER

Koloski, John December 23, 1901 34 PIONEER

Konel, George October 14, 1899 32 CHANDLER

Koren, Stephen September 11, 1890

Korvilla, Sakri May 20, 1907 46 PIONEER

Kosa, Joseph April 28, 1906 23 SAVOY

Kosier, John July 8, 1901 28

Kosola, John Emil December 24, 1954 ZENITH

Kotze, Josef April 28, 1906 23 SIBLEY

Kovach, John June 4, 1937 48 PIONEER

Kozleukar, Lorenz April 4, 1901 52 SAVOY

Kramar, Anton June 4, 1937 44 PIONEER

Kramer, Frank June 25, 1896 27 PIONEER

Kreshman, Joseph December 16, 1890 CHANDLER

Kuhar, Frank 10-Oct-53 37 PIONEER

Kumpulainen, Ed January 8, 1918 44 CHANDLER

Kunnari, Elias April 21, 1903 28 ZENITH

Kure, Peter May 17, 1895 26 CHANDLER

Kuzma, Leopold June 3, 1927 25 SIBLEY

Laitala, John May 9, 1913 36 PIONEER

Latva, John June 20, 1934 34 PIONEER

Labernik, John August 9, 1956 53 ZENITH

Lauritz, Stephen December 21, 1906 24 SIBLEY

Lenovich, Vasa August 10, 1918 42 CHANDLER

Lindbeck, John J. January 25, 1912 SECTION 30

Llias, Chas October 9, 1902 25 CHANDLER

Lunka, Frank May 30, 1913 31 ZENITH

Luoma, John May 11, 1904 22 PIONEER

Luper, Joseph December 30, 1890 24 PIONEER

Luzovech, Frank October 26, 1907 40 PIONEER

Macki, Esau October 7, 1905 34 PIONEER

Mackovitz, Paul December 7, 1902 PIONEER

Magnuson, Nels October 23, 1897 38 CHANDLER

Majerle, John November 14, 1889 CHANDLER

Makauc, Paul December 7, 1896 21 PIONEER

Maki, John May 9, 1913 30 ANDERSON

Maki, John February 21, 1892 CHANDLER

Maki, Matt

Maki, Ralph March 4, 1960 49 PIONEER

Makki, Jacob January 31, 1903 33 PIONEER

Malarich, Anton January 27, 1921 26 ZENITH

Males, Anton August 17, 1916 30 ZENITH

Manteggio, John July 26, 1906 27 SAVOY

Martel, Mike July 26, 1906 27 SAVOY

Martinen, August August 9, 1918 33 PIONEER

Matasic, George September 13, 1916 CONSOLIDATED

Matsula, John July 30, 1907 SHAGAWA

Mattila, John March 27, 1917 45 CHANDLER

Mautz, Frank June 6, 1894 CHANDLER

Mayanpa, Matt May 3, 1905 22 PIONEER

Mellund, Ole January 18, 1905 23 ZENITH

Merhar, Frank February 8, 1914 PIONEER

Mertel, Michael April 22, 1913 29 PIONEER

Metsapelto, Henry February 12, 1942 61 PIONEER

Mihelich, John June 26, 1893 50 CHANDLER

Milkovice, Joe May 19, 1928 50 SIBLEY

Miller, Oscar September 15, 1916 McCOMBER

Moisala, Sakris October 31, 1892 50 CHANDLER

Mokovich, Matt April 14, 1896 22 CHANDLER

Moroni, Frank February 5, 1894 30 CHANDLER

Morowitz, Peter July 8, 1896 53 PIONEER

Morrelli, Augustino July 27 1896 45 PIONEER

Morwar, John September 27, 1905 33 PIONEER

Movrin, John January 20, 1948 64 PIONEER

Mrak, Frank August 15, 1922 47 PIONEER

Muckovich, John September 14, 1901 23 PIONEER

Muhvic, John September 6, 1913 42 SIBLEY

Mukovic, Matt April 14, 1896 22 CHANDLER

Nappa, Sr, Charles July 21, 1927 56 PIONEER

Nemec, John June 23, 1925 33 PIONEER

Nick, Tom February 19, 1917 SECTION 30

Nieme, Charles November 12, 1912 PIONEER

Nieminen, Toivo May 31, 1916 32 PIONEER

Novak, Michael September 21, 1922 26 PIONEER

Ogreen, John January 31, 1889 CHANDLER

Oinonen, Gideon November 9, 1914 35 SIBLEY

Ojala, Alex January 28, 1917 32 CHANDLER

Ollanketa, Heikki August 6, 1907 43 PIONEER

Oman, Edward September 2, 1896 21 CHANDLER

Oppel Jr., William H. April 5, 1918 21 SECTION 30

Oraskavich, Frank May 9, 1926

Oreskovic, Stephan September 6, 1918 30 SECTION 30

Oreskovich, John April 27, 1911 30 ZENITH

Ornell, John CHANDLER

Osredkar, Louis December 19, 1919 PIONEER

Pahkamaa, John August 28, 1920 30 ZENITH

Paksh, Anton August 10, 1902 SAVOY

Palisic, John March 5, 1901 24 CHANDLER

Pallan, Nick December 1, 1906 43 PIONEER

Pedrizettaz, Carlo September 10, 1914 PIONEER

Peris, Mike September 3, 1893 CHANDLER

Peshel, Joseph January 8, 1945 49 PIONEER

Petric, Josef August 10, 1920 42 PIONEER

Peuha, William September 18, 1930 35 ZENITH

Pietikannen, Abraham May 9, 1913 32 LUCKY BOY

Pietro, Tolero August 2, 1892 41 CHANDLER

Plahuta, Frank March 27, 1918 33 MUD CREEK

Plutz, John October 13, 1890 CHANDLER

Pogorelc, Anton May 10, 1913 31 SECTION 30

Popes, Johann September 18, 1918 SIBLEY

Prijatal, Anton March 13, 1906 25 CHANDLER

Prijatel, Frank June 6, 1900 31 CHANDLER

Prishil, John December 30, 1890 PIONEER

Pusari, John October 15, 1956 59 ZENITH

Quick, John April 30, 1896 ZENITH

Ranta, Mike November 15, 1913 MUD CREEK

Ranta, Otto November 14, 1947 56 PIONEER

Ratnich, Martin March 23, 1912 ZENITH

Reinikka, John September 22, 1914 24 SECTION 30

Rintamaki, John October 7, 1901 36 CHANDLER

Robertson, Ernest T September 6, 1946 44 PIONEER

Rock, Louis June 17, 1926 47 PIONEER

Rom, Casper January 4, 1918 52 CHANDLER

Rova, Isaac December 20, 1898 29 PIONEER

Rozman,George July 19, 1930 45 SIBLEY

Rus, John September 3, 1908 40 PIONEER

Salerovich, Vasar August 10, 1918 CHANDLER

Salmi, Elias November 20, 1901 28 CHANDLER

Salmi, Matti April 2, 1903 40 PIONEER

Sankovich, Josef July 8, 1911 21 SECTION 30

Schustar, Anton August 9, 1907 29

Selarovich, Vasar August 11, 1922 42 PIONEER

Shustersic, Frank January 23, 1915 ZENITH

Silvola, Ade Elmer August 19, 1959 41 ZENITH

Simanainen, Carl February 2, 1911 ZENITH

Simoncoc, Stephen November 1, 1906 PIONEER

Simonich, John April 8, 1930 48 SIBLEY

Simonick, Michael December 12, 1902 44 SAVOY

Sjonc, John June 21, 1902 PIONEER

Sjostrom, Isaac June 26, 1896 33 PIONEER

Skorich, Ignetz September 5, 1899 24 PIONEER

Skraba, John August 18, 1936 53 ZENITH

Skrjanc, John September 6, 1910 26 ZENITH

Skufca, John March 6, 1915 PIONEER

Skusek,Joe November 9, 1914 SIBLEY

Slobodnick, Matt November 5, 1891 CHANDLER

Smekar, Joseph February 5, 1900 19 SAVOY

Smuk, Frank January 3, 1917 PIONEER

St. Claire, W. H. November 8, 1915 PIONEER

Stark, Peter June 15, 1904 34

Steffens, Alden L June 6, 1952 28 ZENITH

Sterila, Matt August 16, 1901 32 PIONEER

Sterk, Peter April 24, 1917 19 SIBLEY

Sterlick, Rudolph December 6, 1902 ZENITH

Sternot, Frank  October 1, 1895 40 PIONEER

Strucklen, Matt January 6, 1902 21 SIBLEY

Stukel, Matt February 21, 1929 40 PIONEER

Stupetz, Ferdinand May 10, 1902 45 SIBLEY

Stupica, Leopold January 19, 1922 38 PIONEER

Stustrom, Isaac June 26, 2896 PIONEER

Sutlar, George April 24, 1920 ZENITH

Thumer, Alexander March 14, 1896 CHANDLER

Tikkanen January 17, 1915 26 SECTION 30

Tolonen, Anselm December 27, 1919 ZENITH

Tolonen, Sylvester January 19, 1908 PIONEER

Tomach, Anton Jr. May 9, 1909 CHANDLER

Tuoppala, Levi June 14, 1903 30 SAVOY

Uasijarvi, Sakris December 5, 1894 CHANDLER

Unknown September 2, 1892 CHANDLER

Unknown February 9, 1894 CHANDLER

Unknown April 4, 1902 SAVOY

Unknown January 18, 1908 PIONEER

Unsujarvi, Sakris December 5, 1894 CHANDLER

Uppola, Jack May 9, 1913 27 ANDERSON

Urbas, Frank March 19, 1920 ZENITH

Vertnik, Joe November 27, 1915 ZENITH

Vertuck Matt 1910 PIONEER

Vesel, Luke February 10, 1899 36 PIONEER

Virant, John July 30, 1901 27 SAVOY

Vukelich, John August 19, 1922 36 ZENITH

Vuksinic, John January 11, 1906 45 SAVOY

Waara, Peter August 8, 1903 54 PIONEER

Walli Arvo M March 15, 1966 54 PIONEER

Westerholm, John March 19, 1900 44 PIONEER

Wiiki, William September 22, 1909 19 ZENITH

Wiljanen, William August 20, 1914 25

Witri, Emil December 6, 1926 44 ZENITH

Yates, Ed March 17, 1892 PIONEER

Yerns, John April 7, 1919 SECTION 30

Yeskila Henry December 25, 1909 PIONEER

Yuzna, Jacob April 11, 1917 SECTION 30

Zelesnik, John January 11, 1907 SIBLEY

Zgonc, John April 15, 1956 62 ZENITH

Zgonc, John June 22, 1906 PIONEER

Zoretic, George March 27, 1918 22 MUD CREEK

Zupancic, George November 5, 1921 36 PIONEER

Zupec Tony September 16, 1927 37 PIONEER

Zuponsic, Frank November 14, 1919 PIONEER