Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Union City High School - Class of 1890

The picture of the Union City High School Class of 1890 was scanned while I visited the Hammond House in September 2013.  Those people identified on the back of the picture were: Claude Whitney (standing 2nd from left), Byrd Gaw (seated 1st from left), and Daisy E. Buell (seated 2nd from the left).

Names from the 1890 graduating class found in the Alumni Handbook: Daisy Buell, Ray Burlingame, Laurene Corbin, Byrd Gaw, Felia Mathews, Georgia Smyth, E. Mae Thompson, Mertis Wellman, and Claude Whitney 

School Picture - 1902


The picture taken in 1902, appears to be classmates from the 4th, 5th, and 6th grades, based on names found in the graduating classes of 1908, 1909, and 1910 (graduate lists below from the Alumni Handbook). The picture was scanned while visiting the Hammond House in September 2013.

Union City High School's Freshman Class - 1947

The picture of the 1947 Union City High School Freshman Class (Graduation Class of 1950).  The picture was scanned at the Hammond House in September 2013.

Union City High School Football Team - 1933

The picture of the 1933 Union City High School football team.  Names were provided on the backside of the picture.  The picture was scanned while visiting the Hammond House in September 2013.

Union City High School Football Team - c 1900

The picture of the Union City High School football team from about 1900.  Was scanned while visiting the Hammond House in September 2013.  The only information provided on the picture was "Katz Photography".

Monday, October 28, 2013

Union City 2nd Grade Class 1912-1913 (Graduating Class of 1923)

 Scanned the picture of the Union City 2nd Grade Class who were the graduating class of 1923, while visiting the Hammond House in September 2013.

Union City Post Office - early 1900's

The two pictures below were scanned while visiting the Hammond House in September 2013.  The post office was then located next to the old opera house on Hammond Street.  The first picture would have been taken in the winter ...look at the coat the mail carrier has on (the gentleman in the right front).

Poe's General Store and Post Office

Poe's General Store and Post Office located on Hammond Street.  The edge of the old Opera House is on right and American Express Company is on the left.

Comment - Bob Warner sent me an email and noted that his dad's pool hall was located in the building with the American Express Office sign.  He also noted that the Nichels Opera Hall was torn down about 1950.

Comment - In 1945 the store to the left of Poe's was the Baylis Jewelry Store; the picture labeled Poe's was Maude Lake's Hat shop and the store on the right was the Union City Locker Co. purchased from the Coldwater Meat Locker in 1945 by Carl and Elma Ratzow and Ed and Wilma Zarmstorf. submitted by Elma Carpenter

Post Office and American Express Company




This picture was taken on Hammond Street, includes the American Express Company and the Post Office.

Note - Regarding the building on the right side of the picture ...(from the publication titled "Historical Industrial and Social Record of Peerless Union City Michigan" edited, compiled, and published by Tom F. Robinson in March 1903) identifies this building as the "Tower-McCausey Block".

Comment - Bob Warner sent me an email and noted that his dad's pool hall was located in the building with the American Express Office sign.  He also noted that the Nichels Opera Hall was torn down about 1950.

Comment - In 1945 the store to the left was the Baylis Jewelry Store; the store in the center was Maude Lake's Hat Shop and the store on the right was the Union  City Locker Co. purchased from the Coldwater Meat Locker in 1945 by Carl and  Elma Ratzow and Ed and Wilma Zarmstorf. submitted by Elma Carpenter

Opera House on Hammond Street


Picture taken on Hammond Street, included in the picture are the ?? Market, American Express Company, ??, Post Office, Opera House, and the Buell home in the distance.

Comment - Bob Warner sent me an email and noted that his dad's pool hall was located in the building with the American Express Office sign.  He also noted that the Nichels Opera Hall was torn down about 1950.

Comment - The one-story building on the left was the WRC (Women's Relief Corps) meeting place in 1945. Submitted by Elma Carpenter.

Saturday, October 26, 2013

Boy Scouts - early 1900's

The three pictures were scanned from postcards at the Hammond House while visiting in September 2013. The only information noted was they were Boy Scouts.  If anyone recognizes anyone in the pictures, please email me and I will add the names to the posting ...rchard1960@gmail.com

Friday, October 25, 2013

Mrs. Ford - in front of the schoolhouse on Ellen Street - 1920's

How many of you had Mrs. Ford as a teacher.  She was my 6th grade teacher at the new elementary school 1953-1954 school year ...the first year the elementary school was open.  Guessing the picture would have been taken prior to the new addition to the school in 1931 (addition was on the Ellen Street side of the school).   I scanned the picture at the Hammond House while visiting in September 2013.

Donkey Basketball in the school gym - 1950's

Remember the donkey basketball games played in the old gym in the 1950's?  The picture was scanned while visiting the Hammond House in September 2013.

Thursday, October 24, 2013

Looking South on Broadway from the 1930's, 1940's and 1960's

The three pictures below were scanned at the Hammond House in Sept 2013 while visiting Union City.
Broadway looking south 1930's
Broadway looking south 1943
Broadway looking south 1960's

Saturday, October 19, 2013

School Buses and Drivers lined up behind old school on Ellen Street - early 1950's

The picture of the school buses and drivers lined up in front of the school in the early 1950's, was scanned while at the Hammond House visiting in June 2010.

Union City Schools Buses and Drivers - 1950's

The picture was scanned while visiting the Hammond House this past September.  Names of the bus drivers was written on the back of the picture: L-R are Art Manchester, Clyde George, Claude Whikop, Ken Maurer, Floyd Powell, Earl Zongker, George Brundige, and Forest Warner.

Union City High School Football Team - 1907

The picture of the 1907 Union City High School Football team was scanned while I visited the Hammond House in September.  The picture appears to have been donated to the Hammond House by Harold Tower, as the letter below was with the picture. 
Below are the members of the classes of 1907 to 1910, of which would have been the boys on the 1907 Union City High School football team.
The graduating class names comes from the Alumni Handbook for the Union City High School handed out at the 2010 Union City High School Alumni dinner, which was the year that my class of 1960 celebrated their 50th anniversary.

Sunday, October 13, 2013

Work Crew beside Whiting's Drug Store - early 1900's

Another picture I scanned while visiting the Hammond House this past September.  There were no notes with the picture, appears to be a work crew on there way to a job site.  The picture was taken on Hammond Street beside Whiting's Drug Store.

Saturday, October 12, 2013

Old Livery Barn on West High Street

The picture was scanned while visiting the Hammond House in September 2013.  The picture notes it was "The Old Livery Barn on West High Street" and was donated by Dan Pendill.
________________

The following biography for Walter Wheeler was found in the booklet "Peerless Union City Michigan" by Tom F. Robinson, published in March of 1903.

Walter Wheeler
Was born in Lambton, Ontario, April 25, 1866, and his early life was passed in Canada.  He came to Michigan when he was twenty-one years of age and located in Jackson, where he made his home until he came to Union City eight years ago.  For two years previous to coming to this place he was in the employ of the Standard Oil Company, and for the past eight years he has had charge of the company's business a this and several neighboring towns.  Four years ago he first engaged in the livery business here and he still has a first-class livery in the Union Hotels barns on West High Street.  Here one can find up-to-date turnouts at reasonable prices, and quite a large business is done.  Mr. Wheeler was married Jan. 1, 1893, to Miss Catherine Clark.  Fraternally, he is a member of the local lodge of the Royal Arcanum.

Thursday, October 10, 2013

Business that were located on the Southwest Corner of West High & Broadway (mid 1800's to present)


The earliest picture I have of the Ford Garage Corner from my collection of the March 9, 1908 flood.  The building on the corner 1908 was the Titlow House (hotel) that was built around 1845.
Another picture of the Titlow House (hotel) that I scanned while visiting the Hammond House during September 2013.
The picture above was scanned at the Hammond House during my visit in September 2013, of Spoore's Ford Garage from about 1915.  
Around 1920 the business was called Foodson Engle and Stanton Garage.
Picture I scanned at the Hammond House in 2010 of Bray's Ford Garage in 1952.
Picture of Carl Bray Sr. taken around 1935.
Currently located on the corner is the new Union Township Library and Union Township Office.

Hubbard-Wilkens - 1890 (updated)


Does anyone have any idea where this store front was in Union City? (see comments below)....  I scanned the picture while visiting the Hammond House this past September.  I have looked through all of the later pictures I have of the downtown and see no building resembling this store front.  Very noticeable that Union City still had wooden sidewalks in 1890 ...prior to Peerless Portland Cement Plant opening.  

Mystery location solved by my brother Marty.  The arrow points to the location of the business, which was located in the old Corbin Building where the bank now sits.


Below is a biography of the Hubbard and Wilkins Drug Store from page 20 of the booklet "Union City on the St. Jo." published by T. F. Robinson (copy can be found on the blog click on tag "Tom F Robinson").

Hubbard and Wilkins
The drug store owned and conducted by this firm is the oldest establishment of its kind in Union City, and, in fact, one of the oldest mercantile places in the town.  The present firm was organized seventeen years since, Mr. Wm. H. Hubbard coming here form Jackson, and Mr. Fred C. Wilkins from Kalamazoo County.  Both gentlemen are natives of New York State, and are resisted pharmacists of experience.  Mr. Hubbard was born in Steuben County, N.Y., Aug 5, 1852, and came to Michigan in 1857.  He was in the drug line at Jackson and Galesburg, where he obtained that practical experience in pharmacy which is his.  Mr. Wilkins was born in Erie County, N.Y., in 1847, and came to Michigan in 1875, first locating in Kalamazoo County.  He came to Union City in June, 1878, at which time the firm of Hubbard and Wilkins was organized.  Fraternally he is a member of the three local Masonic fraternities, and socially, as well as in a business way, both gentlemen and deservedly popular.  Their stock embraces not only a complete line of drugs, medicines, pharmacentical (sic) preparations, patent medicines, paints, oils, etc., but also a fine line of wall papers, second to none in this vicinity.  They also do an extensive business in books, stationery and fancy goods, a large portion of the trade in these lines being centered here.  The stock carried is a large one and the store is a commodious one, located in the Corbin Block.

Horse Racing Track in Union City

The following description of the horse racing track was found in the very last paragraph of the “Peerless Union City Michigan” booklet published by Tom F. Robinson in March of 1903.
THE UNION CITY DRIVING PARK

Is also the scene of many interesting trotting matinees during the summer months.  There is a good half-mile track here, and as this is' the center of the horse-breeding section, there are always plenty of fast youngsters in 'the horse line.  There is a good-natured spirit of rivalry between the local owners, and they take great pleasure in the contests of their horses.  A number of the trotters who made their first trials on the track at the Union City Driving Park, have in the circuits' made enviable record's, and they have in many cases sold for thousands of dollars each.  Eastern horse buyers are here constantly, on the look-out for desirable equines for the city markets and the 'ruling prices are generally high.  The Driving Park is not far from the business portion of town, and is equipped with a large grand stand, judges' stand, and other accommodations for the public. 
_________________

The 1894 map below shows a twenty acre Fair Ground and Horse Racing Track or as known then, Driving Park.  An earlier map from 1872 notes the 20 acre track of land as "Union Agricultue Society Fair Grounds" and lists the property as belonging to Bostwick and Buell.  Another map from 1915, notes the racing track belonging to D. D. Buell.  Going back to a map from 1858, the property was part of a farm owned by G. W. Lincoln.  Today the street name on the eastside of the old fair ground is now Walnut Lane.  Homes and the Union City Community School's Elementary School now sit on this site.
The above map is from 1894, noting the location of the Fair Grounds and Racing Track.
The above picture taken at the Union City Horse Racing Track on June 8, 1908 from my collection of postcards of Union City.
The above picture was scanned at the Hammond House during my visit in September 2013.
Another picture from my postcard collection of the Union City Horse Racing Track.

Map of Union City - 1858

Earliest street map of Union City that I have found.  The map from 1858 notes the homes and businesses found in Union City.  Not sure of the population in 1858, but based on the number of dots (homes and businesses), Union City was rather small in size.  The only street name change I notice from present, Coldwater Street was called Furnace Street in reference to the Foundry shown on the map just East of the Coldwater River.

Monday, October 7, 2013

Saturday, October 5, 2013

Early 1900 Bicycles in Union City - Updated (Oct. 5, 2013 with picture)

The bicycle pictures below, were scanned at the Hammond House this past September.

Comment from brother Marty (Oct. 1, 2013) -  My observant brother, suggests the top picture to be a wheelchair, not a bicycle.  After looking at it for a few minutes, I agree since there doesn't appear to be any peddles. Either way, it is a very strange looking mode of transportation, along with Abe Lincoln look alike providing the manpower. 

Picture of bicycle for two from brother Marty (Oct. 5, 2013).  

Is the picture originally posted below, a bicycle for two converted to a wheelchair??  Was picture from Union City, the background doesn't look like it would be from Union City??  



Friday, October 4, 2013

Peerless Portland Cement Company

The following company history for the Peerless Portland Cement Company comes from the "Peerless Union City Michigan" booklet published by Tom F. Robinson in March of 1903. (To view the pages for the Peerless Portland Cement Company  from the booklet, go to the bottom of the posting.)

Question ....does anyone know the reason that the Peerless Portland Cement Company in Union City closed and what year?  Reading through the company history in Union City gives one the impression that it was a very profitable and thriving company when this article was written in 1903.  If you have any input, please email me at rchard1960@gmail.com

PEERLESS PORTLAND CEMENT COMPANY
hat Michigan's great subterranean wealth does not wholly consist of iron and· copper ore, salt, etc., has been plainly evidenced within the past five or six years, during which time the development is well under way of another underground source of wealth by the opening of the finest marl deposits in the country for the successful manufacture of Portland cement.  Until within a comparatively short time the importance of Portland cement was realized by comparatively few people.  While its use has been very large for many years, the demand for it has immensely increased during the past ten years.  New uses for the product are discovered almost every day, and, in fact, this has been termed, and not inaptly, the cement age.  Cement is now used so largely in all architectural construction that it requires millions upon millions of barrels to supply the demand in this direction alone.  Over 13,000,000 barrels of cement were used in this country in 1902, and the needs for 1903 are estimated at 20,000,000 barrels.

Today, Portland cement is recognized as one of the vital necessities in architecture, engineering, and building on land and water,” says one of the foremost authorities of the present day.  “It’s supreme value for constructive purposes lies in the peculiar property of hardening under water as well as in air, so that it finally becomes a solid rock; in its great tensile strength; and in the facility with which it is handled as well as in the ease with which it can be molded to take permanent shape.  For these practical reasons new avenues of usefulness are daily being opened for Portland cement.  There is not an engineering design to-day wherein the specifications do not call for a liberal a number of upright kilns to burn cement in Union City and this proved the inauguration of an industry which now promises to be one of the most important in the state.  Since the establishment of this plant in Union City great changes and improvements have been made in the process of manufacturing cement, and the factory here has ever been ready to adopt these improvements as fast as their value has been proved.  Not only this, but the Peerless Company has been instrumental in aiding the work by originating many changes in the old time methods of manufacture.
The plant of the Peerless Portland Cement Company is not only a mammoth one, but it is a model one as well, and it contains a number of original features not to be found in any other factory in the world.  A very satisfactory grade of cement was made by the old upright burning kiln method, but the process was of necessity slow and expensive.  In consequence the plant was reconstructed early in 1902.  The enlargement and improvements necessitated an additional expenditure of $350,000.  The burning is done by nine immense rotary kilns, each seventy feet in length, the output of cement being over twelve hundred barrels per diem.  Everything about the plant is modern and up to date, and from the time the raw material enters the factory until the finished product is ready for shipment, none but approved are taken for analysis.  If the composition proves to be lacking in any respect, the required ingredient is added and the whole mass mixed, sampled, and analyzed as before.  This is repeated as many times as necessary in order to obtain the correct chemical composition.
The slurry is then elevated and run into large cylinder tube mills half filled with flint pebbles.  As  these mills revolve, the slurry is ground to a fine silky paste.  Samples of this paste are tested every hour to be sure that there has been no change in the composition.  This is where the incomparable facilities of the Peerless Company are of the greatest advantage.  For besides the possession of a variety of grades of raw materials, they have better facilities for mixing large quantities at one time.  As the slurry leaves the tube mills, it is conveyed into large storage vats, with a capacity of two thousand barrels.  Here it is kept in constant motion by the aid of compressed air, thus avoiding all settling and assuring additional mixing.  From these vats it is again elevated and passed into the battery of eight of the latest pattern rotary kilns.  This is undoubtedly the most interesting part of the plant, and is one of the finest rotary plants in the country.  A number of innovations have been introduced here for increasing and improving the output, for which the Peerless Company may well feel proud.  This supply of Portland cement; “this demand is universal throughout the civilized world, and it will be many years, if not centuries, before the supply will be equal to the demand."
Another writer under recent date says: "I believe that the unlimited quantities of shell marl, practicality pure carbonate of lime, deposited in many parts of Michigan, will prove to be one of her richest legacies.  The copper country has proved to be a veritable Eldorado.  Michigan iron mines have made men multi-millionaires.  Michigan forests have been converted into fabulous fortunes.  The coal belt has enriched thousands.  The salt rock here is of such enormous proportions as to supply the whole world for thousands of year.  But the latest and not least important industry is the manufacture of
Portland cement."
It is not the intent of the writer, however, to enter upon a detailed account of the hundreds of uses to which Portland cement may  be put, but rather to sum up the history of the industry in Michigan by giving a brief account of the Peerless Portland Cement Company of this city.  The Peerless plant may with justice be termed the pioneer cement plant in the state.  Early in the sixties there was a little one kiln plant in Kalamazoo, which was abandoned after a brief existence.  In 1896 the Peerless Company built scientific methods are used and the result is that Peerless cement stands every required test and is in great demand for all classes of building and construction.
 The company owns several thousand acres of valuable marl land and clay beds of exactly the right kind for the manufacture of high-grade cement.  A brief account of the process of manufacture employed in the Peerless factory will prove of interest:  "The marl is dredged and loaded on cars and hauled to the factory by a railroad owned and operated by the company.  There the marl is weighed and dumped directly into a mixing- machine, where water and the right amount of clay are added.  After a thorough mixing in this, it is dumped into a pug mill where the mixing process continues.  After a sufficient pugging the mass, then called ‘slurry,' is run into a large vat, which has a capacity of one thousand barrels of cement, and furnished with mixing and stirring devices.  There are three of these vats in the factory.  As soon as one vat is filled and thoroughly mixed, two samples immense battery comprises eight rotaries, each being seventy feet long, ten feet longer than those in any other Michigan mill.  The slurry runs in at one end and in its progress through the kiln is thoroughly dried and burned, dropping out at the other end in the form of clinker.  The fuel used is pulverized coal, which is ignited and blown into the kiln at one end.  After the clinker is passed through the cooling machines, a steel conveyor delivers it into a set of very heavy steel rolls, where it is reduced to the size of rice.  Then it is conveyed to the hoppers which feed the eight Griffin mills and here it is ground to a fine powder.  Peerless cement is of exceptionally fine texture, and as this is a very important matter, the powdered cement from the Griffin mills is reground in large tube mills and it will, therefore, be found that Peerless cement contains a greater per cent of impalpable powder than other cements.  This accounts for its great sand carrying qualities."

Few people are aware of the importance of a well-equipped and carefully conducted laboratory in a cement factory, and here the Peerless Company is particularly fortunate.  In fact, much of the success attending the production of Peerless cement is due to the laboratory work and to the care which is exercised in testing the material at every stage of manufacture.  At the marl and clay beds samples of the raw material are regularly taken to the laboratory for analysis.  Repeatedly during the mixing process are tests made.  Nor does this thoroughness and care in mixing stop with the slurry, but is carried throughout the entire process of manufacture.  The efficient system for averaging and mixing the raw material is alone the best guaranty one can have of the strictly uniform quality of the product.  At each new stage the material is tested and approved.  The finished cement, too, as it comes from the grinding mills is tested twice each day and a careful record kept on file in the laboratory.  A sample is also taken from each car shipped and a complete test made.
The plant of the Peerless Portland Cement Company is not only a mammoth nee, but a model factory as well.  The buildings cover acres of ground and are of brick, cement, and steel construction.  The power to drive this immense institution is derived from one of the finest power plants in the state.  Four Scotch Marine internally fired boilers furnish steam for driving a 500 horse-power Hamilton-Corliss engine, a 400 horse-power Fitchburg tandem compound engine, and a 300 horse-power simple engine.  A 677 horse-power generator transforms a goodly portion of the power electrically, and twenty-odd electric motors drive a number of the machines.  Rope transmission is used from one of the engines.  The whole plant is lighted by electricity generated upon the premises - an important feature when it is considered that the factory is run night and day during the entire season.
The storage facilities of the institution are unsurpassed and provide for the storing of over 100,000 barrels of cement.  The factory lies close to the Michigan Central Railroad and switches enter the shipping department.

A vast amount of money has been spent by the Peerless Company in the effort to reach perfection in the manufacture of Portland cement, and that they have done so is evinced by the widespread popularity of their product and the fact that it has responded with credit to the most exacting tests made.  The gentlemen at the head of the institution have been untiring in their efforts and they are to be congratulated upon the success which has been attained.  The officers of the company are: President, A. W. Wright; Vice-President, S. O. Bush; General Manager, J. R. Patterson; Secretary and Treasurer, Wm. M. Hatch; Assistant Manager and Chemist, A. Lundteigen.
J. R. PATTERSON
Who has been the capable general manager of the Peerless Portland Cement Company of this city since September, 1899, was born at Buffalo, N. Y., July 28, 1861, and his early life was passed there and in Canada.  Twenty-four years ago he went to Chicago and within a year thereafter he became engaged in the cement business, a line which he has with success followed ever since.  For twenty years he was one of the leading dealers in cement in Chicago, doing a large business under the firm name of J. R. Patterson & Co.  His extended experience in this line has been of great value to him since he was called to take charge of the Peerless plant three years ago.  At that time the factory here was not the extensive and modern plant that it is today, and the main work of placing the institution in an up-to-date condition and upon a paying basis fell upon the shoulders of Mr. Patterson.  Through obstacle after obstacle he pushed his way with indomitable courage and perseverance and the result of his efforts is the plant of the Peerless Portland Cement Company as it stands to-day.  Mr. Patterson is a heavy stockholder in the enterprise and in his work he has been backed up by his fellow stockholders as well as by the capable assistance of his associates in the management of the business. Mr. Patterson is a thorough business man, alive to the needs of the moment and with dear discernment as to future conditions.  His is a pleasant and courteous nature and he is in consequence decidedly popular in business and social circles.  He was married June 3, l895, to Miss Nola Harned and they have one daughter, Hazel.  The family occupy a handsome and modern home on Barry Street.  Mr. Patterson devotes his entire time to the interests of the Peerless Portland Cement Company and he is known throughout the state as one of the successful manufacturers of this product.  He is also interested in various other local enterprises, and he is looked upon as one of Union City's hustling and progressive citizens.
COL. WM. M. HATCH
Who holds the responsible position as secretary and treasurer of the Peerless Portland Cement Company of this city, was born in Battle Creek, Mich., Jan. 14, 1872, and his home was in Calhoun's metropolis until he came to Union City, Feb. 26, 1896.  He graduated from the Battle Creek High School, and soon thereafter entered the offices of the Advance Thresher Company of that city, a position which he satisfactorily filled for six years, receiving in the meantime deserved promotion.  At the date of the organization of Company L, Second Infantry, M. N. G., in 1896, Mr. Hatch was elected as first lieutenant, and in July of the following year he succeeded Captain Caldwell as captain of the Company.  On April 23, 1898, the date of the declaration of war with Spain, the company was ordered to prepare for mustering into the U. S. service, and the members went south under the name of Company D, 32nd Michigan Volunteer Infantry.  After the dose of the war Captain Hatch remained at the head of the company until a year after he comes to Union City.  During the period of his captaincy the company was considered one of the best in the 32nd regiment and made an enviable record.  During the past three years, Col. Hatch has served upon the military staff of Gov. A. T. Bliss, the position carrying with it the title of Colonel.  Fraternally, Col. Hatch is affiliated with the local Masonic lodges and with Battle Creek Lodge No. 573, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and he also belongs to the Military Order of Foreign Wars.  In a business way he retains the high esteem of his associates, and socially he is most popular in this city and in Battle Creek.
ANDREW LUNDTEIGEN
Assistant manager and chemist for the Peerless Portland Cement Company of this place, is a man eminently fitted for the position, as regards both natural qualifications, education, and practical experience.  He was born in Norway, Sept. 29, 1862, and his early life was passed in his native country.  He pursued a course of study at the University of Christiania, in Norway, and he has made chemistry his life-work, especially as regards the application of the science to the manufacture of cement.  That he has been eminently successful in his avocation is evidenced by the fact that he has held positions as head chemist with some of the largest cement factories in this country.  He came to America in 1886, and he has ever since this time been interested in the manufacture of Portland cement.  Just previous to coming to Union City in the autumn of 1899 he had charge of the laboratory in a large cement factory at Yankton, S. Dak.  His reputation as one of the best cement chemists in this country led the management of the Peerless Company to seek to secure his services.  They were successful in this, and no small share of credit is due Mr. Lundteigen for the completeness of the plant as it now stands and the excellent reputation of the product upon the market.  The quality of the output of a cement factory depends so much upon the management of its laboratory, that a factory of this sort can ill afford to employ incompetent chemists.  In this instance the Peerless management was extremely fortunate in securing the services of the gentleman whose name heads this sketch.  Mr. Lundteigen occupies a handsome home on Barry Street, the structure being built almost wholly of cement.
In former years Portland cement was only used in rough construction, but all the beauties that are now created by architectural designs are being brought out by cement concrete moldings into any desired form and tint.  Constant tests are being made and experiments that bring out new ideas in construction.  It has been demonstrated that residences constructed of concrete cost only one half as much in fuel to heat as of any other material.   The combined power of chemistry and machinery has brought about wonders.  Cement stone is to-day being made that will not laminate and decay with age.  Entire houses are now being built of cement, and Chas. F. Limmins, the California educator, who has employed cement in the entire flooring of his dwelling, writes: ."When cleaning-day comes, the hose can be turned in upon the drawing-room floor, and, in fact, the entire establishment flushed with water."
Under the heading, "Michigan Leads in the Plastic Age," the Detroit News-Tribune says editorially: It is a matter of common knowledge that the use of Portland cement is steadily increasing.  Its use in concreting for foundations and basement flooring and for street pavements, account for a certain part of the increase.  It is becoming a recognized fact that it is easier and generally much cheaper to make an artificial stone, molded to size and shape, than it is to quarry a rock from its parent bed and hew it into proper form with mallet and chisel.  Cement offers itself to every caprice of the architect.  In many, if not in most, cases it is better for the required purpose than natural rock.  It makes admirable sidewalks.  It can be molded into all the forms that are possible with terra cotta, and it can be so molded about a steel column as to give it the appearance of a hewn pillar of rock, adding to the supporting strength of the steel and protecting it from rust.  That it is a permanent building material is well established.  The splendid hotels at St. Augustine, Fla., are examples of its utility in large buildings.  The homestead of James Vreeland in Monguagon Township, built in 1876, is another example of its utility for ordinary building purposes for the building is as solid as if hewn out of the living rock.
Michigan is one of the greatest producers of cement because of peculiar geological conditions.  The slate is gently rolling.  Most of the streams are sluggish, and many counties abound in numerous lakes of shallow depth and muddy bottom.  Some of these lakes were the creations of old beaver dams which backed up the waters of swamps and slow streams, until they filled the low ground about them, when the great processes of nature began, which ultimately transformed them into lands of the most fertile type.  Water-lilies, arrowhead, and marine grasses spring up, and each year they scatter their dead leaves and stems over the bottom to form a soft muck.  Myriads of crustaceans and mollusks appear in the bottom, and each generation as it dies leaves its shells, which are almost pure carbonate of lime.  The lime collects in a stratum, the thickness depending upon the length of time the pond or lake is in existence, and the prevalence of food for such animals.  Time and the action of the elements reduces all the shells to lime, and presently along comes an investigator who scoops up the marl, as this deposit is called, combines it with siliceous sand, and bums the two in intimate mixture until he has a fine, gray powder which when mixed with water will unite together with the firm cohesion of a rock.
"Another source of cement supply is in the outcropping beds of limestone, some of which are of particularly fine quality of carbonate of lime. This stone crushed and roasted in combination with the other ingredients of cement makes a very convenient and altogether perfect source of supply.  The limestone beds are merely older formations than the marl beds, which have to lie many ages before they cement themselves into solid rock.  The cement manufacturer sets up his business wherever he finds the material most convenient to his hand.  His market is constantly expanding as the demand for cement grows from familiarity with its usefulness."

The query has been made: How long will the material in Michigan for the manufacture of cement last?  Practical men, who have investigated the subject thoroughly, believe that the supply is almost inexhaustible.  This question asked at the different factories, shows that the material in sight would supply the factories now built, and in process of construction, at the rate of 30,000 barrels daily, over one hundred years, and the field is scarcely opened.
The question has often been asked if the consumption of cement will warrant its greatly increasing manufacture.  The introduction of improved American machinery has reduced the cost of manufacture until it is within the reach of thousands, who a few years ago were forced to deny themselves of its use.  It now enters into the construction of all kinds of structural work, bridges, roadways, sidewalks, foundations, and even into buildings, both in cities and on farms.  It is the one material that is impervious to heat, frost, and dampness.

Twenty years ago only 13 per cent of the cement used in this country was of domestic manufacture.  Ten years later our consumption had increased and only 25 per cent was imported.