Leonard Rajaniemi Memoirs

Collection — sc_box: 6, Folder: 4

Identifier: MS-954

Staff Only

Collection Scope and Content Summary

Memoirs, undated, written by Leonard Rajaniemi on his experiences as a copper miner in the western Upper Peninsula during the twilight years of the Michigan copper industry. Both items are brief personal essays. The first piece describes an accident at Calumet & Hecla's Allouez No. 3 shaft in 1963; the second discusses Rajaniemi's opinions on the value of unions, the culpability of government in economic problems, and the contrast of worker and employer wages, among other topics.

Dates

undated

Language of Material

English

Access

Available for use in the Michigan Technological University Archives and Copper Country Historical Collections.

Conditions Governing Use

Various copying restrictions apply. Guidelines are available from Michigan Technological University Archives & Copper Country Historical Collections.

Biography

Leonard Rajaniemi was born October 14, 1936 in Mohawk, Michigan; he was the youngest of the three children of Waino and Mildred (Hatala) Rajaniemi. Rajaniemi graduated from Calumet High School in 1953 and married Nancy Savinen on May 18, 1957. Together, the couple had seven children.

Like many other young men in the area, Rajaniemi sought employment as a copper miner to support himself and his growing family. He worked for ten years at Calumet & Hecla, departing for White Pine Copper Company when C&H ceased operation in the late 1960s. Rajaniemi spent the next fifteen years at White Pine before another reduction in business forced him to seek work elsewhere. He completed his career at Kingston, retiring in 1985.

Leonard Rajaniemi passed away in Hancock, Michigan on September 19, 2013.

Extent

0.01 cubic feet (1 folder)

Additional Description

Abstract

Memoirs, undated, written by Leonard Rajaniemi on his experiences as a copper miner in the western Upper Peninsula during the twilight years of the Michigan copper industry.