A history of Pickford Area Pioneer Families Daniel Morrison

STEELE

John Steele, Sr., was born in Grenville, Quebec, Canada, and was the oldest son of Archibald and Isabella Robertson Steele. He was born July 5, 1862. His mother was botn in Edinburgh, Scotland, and his father in Ireland.

He came to Pickford, June, 1883, in search of land that would be more productive than the stony land of his fatherPs farm, where as a young lad o~e of his chores was to help pick up stones from the land. This was strenuous, back-breaking work. It was not uncommon at the end of a day's work to have blood trickling from his fingers. However, had he known the composition of those stones, he would have regarded them more highly. After he left this stony farm and came to hlichigan, a nephew, Aleck McPhee, broke open one of the stones and was amazed at the crystals inside. Upon analysis of the underground rocks, it was discovered that they were a special type of dolomite. In steelmaking, this dolomite could be trrated and used to line Bessemer furnaces and other aspects of steel-making.

John purchased an 80-acre tract of land one mile west and one-half mile north of Pickford from the railroad company. This was uncleared land and except for knolls or mounds was vety wet, until the land was cleared and drainage ditches dug. The mounds, which were higher and drier, made good building locations. To secure one of these mounds, he purchased 80 acres from Andrew Wilson who owned the adjoining farm. Mr. Steele built a frame house on the mound to replace the original log house. There are indications that in the distant past Indians may have occupied some of these higher elevations. Flint arrowheads, axes, and other Indian artifacts have been unearthed at various times.

In the early pioneer days, one crop that never failed was the mosquito crop. Lacking D.D.T. and other insectidides, the pioneers would build smudges for the purpose of driving away the swarms of mosquitoes. Also a loosely woven cloth known as mosquito netting was draped over beds, around baby cradles, and even worn over hats and caps to afford some protection from the stinging bites of the mosquitoes. A trail through the woods led to a little store at Stirlingville where staple groceries could be bought. Pioneers in the village of PicMord would walk to Stirlingville to purchase groceries and carry them home on their backs. Grain was cradled by hand and the hay was cut down with a hand scythe.

There is an old saying, "Love will find a way." All this hard work did not prevent John from romancing. On April 10, 1895, John Steele and Alice Victoria Brindley were united in matriage by The John Brindley family had anived in the Soo, Oct. 21, 1881, coming from They sailed by boat from the Soo to a point at Stirlingville known as Jolly's Landing. They homesteaded at Fairview. Alice, the seventh of the nine daughters and threesons of the Brindley family was 7 years old when her parents came to Michigan. She received her education in the little log house at Fairview. At the age of 16 she passed the state teachers' examinations and began teaching at the Leach school southeast of Stalwart. At this time a school term was usually four or five months long and the teacher received a salary of $30 a month. She taught at Slusherville, now called Sunshine, and at the Kennedy School. To this marriage were born four sons and three daughters. Their first-born son aied when 8 days old. The member of the family are all still living.

FANNY married George Patterson.

JOHN LORNE, born Jan. 6, 1897, and his wife, Josephine, live on the farm purchased by his fathef in 1883. They have three sons and three daughters. Their youngest son, Donald, his wife, Sally, and daughters, Donna and Carol live one mile south of Pickford on what is known as the Denny place. Luther is at home. Hlvlna, Gertrude, John L., J~L, and Edith are married and live Alvin in Lower Michigan. There are 13 grandchildren. Mr. Steele was honored at a banquet on the occasion of his retirement from public office after serving 34 years as Pickford Township Treasurer. He was presented a gold watch by Pickford Township Supervisot, Elliott Hancock.

SARAH, born Dec. 10, 1898, graduated from Sault Ste. Marie High School June, 1917 and received her Bachelor of Science degree from Northern Michigan University in Matquette. On June 28, 1922, Sarah married Andrew S. Cowell and they had one daughter, Arlis (Mrs. Oren Fountain). She was a classroom teacher for 35 years and 8 months. She has been active in various educational, religious, and civic organizations. She retired June, 1970, and is living in Pickford. Mr. Cowel died Dec. 22, 1947. There are three grandsons and two great granddaughters.

ALVINA (Mrs. Angus McPhee) was born Au~st 6, 1902 and lives near Rudyard. She has three daughters, Lois, Darla and Linda, and one son, J~!,deceased. There are eight grandchildren and one great grandson.

JAMES, born March 20, 1904, a construction worker, his wife, Katie, and daughter, Lavonne, reside in Davison, Michigan. Lavonne (Mrs. Don Bomeli) is a music instructor at Grand Branc.

ORVILLE, born May 9, 1906 and his wife, Marie, live on Mackinac Island where he is affiliated with the Mackinac Carriage Line. Their son, Richard, is buried on the Island.

NELLIE, born Sept. 17, 1908, married Neigel Austin and lived in Marion, Ohio, untilhet death in June, 1972. They had three sons: Erwin and Vernon of Hartford, Michigan, and Arvid (deceased) and one daughter, loAnn (Mrs. Carl Keebaugh of Marion, Ohio) and Ilgrandchildren. Nellie inherited her motherss knack for writing poetry as expressed in the following poems.

(Poems by Mrs. Austin were published in the 19~0 Freshman Class Edition.)

OUR FAMILY TREE

When Dad and I were married We were young as you will see, I was just seventeen, Dad was not twenty-three.

We were very happy and our hearts were filled with joy For on the 29th of April Came a darting baby boy. We called him Arvid Niegel Named for Dad he would be. When Niegel first saw him He exclaimed -- "He looks like me."

It was the last day of August With summer almost gone When another little darling Came to join our happy throng. We named him Erwin Delray He was cute as he could be. Dad thought he looked like him. Of course, I thought he looked like

I was busy and very happy I was almost in a whirl When the 12th day of September Came a sweet baby girl. We called her Jocelyn Joan Quite approximate you can see There was no mistake this time For she did look just like me.

Three years later in October It was the twenty-first Another little boy we ha;l

And loved him as if he were the first. I'11 be very truthful, I sure had no time to dream To this little fellow we gave the name, Vernon Eugene.

Yes, they were happy busy years. We were thankful as could be. Now I hope someone else will Keep intact the family tree. Now my poemss ended At poetry I'm not great I just put it in writing Before it was too late.

MOM AND DAD

Often I. sit in meditation As the years.roll swiftly by And recall my happy childhood What a catefree girr was I.

Many highways since I've traveled Met new faces day by day. But no other could fill your places Though you ate many miles away.

Now I miss your fand caresses And your ever-watchful care Though I know you are always with me In the memories we share.

If I sailed across the oceans Searched this whole world through and through, I could never find another Mom and Dad to equal you.

Yes, your eyes are growing dimmer And your steps are feebler too But you're still my inspiration in whatever I may do.

May God always keep you safely As you journey down life's way Mom and Dad, how much I love you Words alone can never convey.

GREAT GRANDMA STARTED THE TWIST

Now who do you think started the twist? It was our great grandmas, I do insist. When they tried to get into their skirts and stays They sure had to twist in many ways. Then Great Grandpa got into the act Trying to lace her up fhe back So when the kids do the Twist today Let's all join in and say, "Hurrah!" For Great Grandmother would never have guessed She started the Twist when she got dressed.

There ate 14 living grandchildren, three deceased, 35 great grandchildren and two great great grandchildren. Mr. Steele died Nov. 7, 1949, and Mrs. Steele, Jan. 2, 1958. The are buried in Cottle Cemetery.

Four brothers and four sisters of Mr. Steele also came to the Pickford area: Elizabeth (Mts. William Nixon), Matilda ~lrs. Louis Lordson), Caroline (Mrs. James Thompson), Margaret, James, Edward, Reuben, and Alfred. All are deceased. The only descendant of Caroline Steele Thompson in this area is a grandson, Bill Thome, WSOO Radio announcer.