John Harry Reeder Photograph Collection
Collection Scope and Content Summary
Photograph collection, 1954-1967, of black-and-white photographs taken by John Harry Reeder, a retired mining engineer in Houghton, Michigan. Images include Great Lakes shipping, Michigan copper mining locations, and the construction of the Portage Lake Lift Bridge.
Dates
- 1954-1967
Access
Available for use in the Michigan Technological University Archives and Copper Country Historical Collections.
Biography
John Harry Reeder (Jan. 20, 1887 - Mar. 13, 1974) was born in Detroit, Michigan, the son of John T. and Margaret Reeder. The family moved to Michigan’s Copper Country in 1889, residing initially in Osceola, but then moving to Dollar Bay, Tamarack Location, and Calumet. John Harry Reeder (who preferred to be called Harry), was a graduate of Calumet High School (1905) and graduated from the Michigan College of Mines (now Michigan Technological University) with the Bachelor of Science and Mining Engineer’s degrees. Reeder worked initially in the Michigan copper mines, including positions as a machinist with the Isle Royale Copper Co. (ca. 1910), assistant engineer with the Tamarack Mining Co. (ca. 1910-1911), mining engineer with the Isle Royale (ca. 1914-1916), and an unknown position with the Naumkeg Mining Co. He worked for the Houghton County Road Commission (ca. 1921), and his obituary indicates other work experience in the manganese mining area of Nevada, as superintendent of the Murray Mine at Sudbury, Ontario, and as superintendent of mines in the iron mining district of northern New York State. In 1925, Reeder was hired as superintendent of the Hiawatha Mine of the M.A. Hanna Iron Ore Co. in Iron River, Michigan, where he remained for twenty-one years. Harry Reeder retired from Hanna in 1946, returning to live in his father’s home at 1608 College Avenue in Houghton, then moving to a house at 913 Quincy St. in Hancock. From 1947 to 1958, Reeder was project engineer for the State of Michigan, representing Michigan Tech on campus construction projects during a critical growth period for the campus (additions to McNair and DHH, construction of Sherman Gym, Central Heating and Central Stores, Wadsworth Hall, and the Benedict Lab). It is apparent from this collection of photographs, that Harry inherited his father’s love of history and photography, spending a considerable amount of time in his retirement on amateur photography.
Extent
0.7 Cubic Feet (2 manuscript boxes)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
Photograph collection, 1954-1967, of black-and-white photographs taken by John Harry Reeder, a retired mining engineer in Houghton, Michigan. Images include Great Lakes shipping, Michigan copper mining locations, and the construction of the Portage Lake Lift Bridge.
Processing History
Elizabeth Russell,8/2/2011
- Bridges -- Design and construction -- Michigan -- Portage Lake
- Coastwise shipping -- Michigan -- Upper Peninsula
- Construction projects -- Michigan -- Upper Peninsula
- Contact sheets
- Copper mines and mining -- Michigan
- Houghton (Mich.)
- Landscapes -- Michigan -- Upper Peninsula
- Negatives (Photographic)
- Portage Lake (Houghton County, Mich.) -- History
- Portage Lake Lift Bridge (Mich.)
- Portraits, Group
- Railroads
- Shipping -- Great Lakes (North America)
- Ships
- Upper Peninsula (Mich.)
- Title
- John Harry Reeder Photograph Collection
- Author
- Elizabeth Russell
- Date
- 8/2/2011
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
- Language of description note
- Description is in English
Repository Details
Part of the Michigan Technological University Archives and Copper Country Historical Collections Repository