About This Site
This blog has been established to coordinate and promote commemorative activities relating to the centennial of the 1913-14 Michigan Copper Miners’ Strike. More information will be added as it becomes available.
This WordPress blog is currently maintained by Lindsay Hiltunen, a history M.A. candidate from Western Illinois University who is working on a thesis project on the social memory of the strike. If you have questions about this site or events related to the strike commemoration, please contact le-hiltunen@wiu.edu.
1913strike.wordpress.com 
My childrens’ Great Grandfather Peter Martinac let the striking miners meet secretly in the back room of his saloon in Calumet. Not sure which saloon it was but I do know the building is still there as is the cornerstone with the name Martinac there in the foundation near the sidewalk I believe. Peter’s children were invited to the Italian Hall Christmas party even though they were Croatian, because of his kindness to the striking miners.
My great great grandfather worked the mines from 1878 to 1913. From articles I have found he was mentioned as a special deputy. I also discovered he died as a result of injuries he sustained. He had moved his family to Detroit during the riots and upon returning for a visit in late November passed away shortly after arriving. I would like to find more information but have not been able to travel north to visit the MTU archives.
Thanks for your comment Jennifer. I am always interested to hear stories about family connections to the copper industry. Although you have not been able to travel to Houghton to view collections at the MTU Archives, there are several local researchers who do research for hire. I am providing a link to the list of independent researchers who are available to perform research at the archives for you, just in case you want to go that route! Best, Lindsay
http://blogs.mtu.edu/archives/research-services/
My great-grandfather was a Lithuanian immigrant and miner with C&H from approx. 1890 until – possibly – around 1914-1915. We have one 1908 document stating he was a timber boss, which I’m told is the crew that shored up the ceiling of the mines with timber before actual mining started.
We would like to find out to what extent – if any – my great-grandfather had involvement in the strike, on either side. We think he was still in Calumet in 1913, but we know he had moved to Flint, MI by 1915.
I was in Calumet for a few days a few years back, but did not have sufficient time to do real research, but I will explore the MTU page you posted.