Title: A history of the northern peninsula of Michigan and its
people;.
Author: Sawyer, Alvah L. (Alvah Littlefield), 1854-1925.
Publication Info: Chicago, : The Lewis publishing company, 1911. Page
808 - 809
GUSTAV TOLLEN - Noteworthy among the thriving, prosperous and
law-abiding citizens of Iron Mountain is Gustav Tollen, superintendent
of the Oliver Mining Company's hydraulic works, and who is held in
high respect as a man of upright principles and sterling integrity. A
native of Norway, he was born, November 28, 1850, in the seaport town
of Drammen, which is located twenty-eight English miles from
Christiana. His father, an iron master or, in other words, a
manufacturer of spikes, was a life-long resident of Norway. Five of
his children, however, emigrated to America, settling here
permanently, namely: John, Gustav, Andrew, Oscar and Jenny. Completing
his early studies in the public schools, Gustav Tollen began working
in his father's factory when fifteen years old, continuing with him
two years. He was subsequently employed in railroad work a number of
years, the latter part of the time being an engineer. Emigrating to
this country in 1880, Mr. Tollen made his way directly to Iron
Mountain, which was then but a small hamlet, although it was growing
with rapidity. Securing a position with the Menominee Mining Company,
he was for two years employed as master mechanic at their mine in
Florence, Wisconsin, but since that time has had charge of the
hydraulic works at Iron Mountain, which is now the property of the
Oliver Mining Company, the successors of the Menominee Mining Company.
His long record of continuous service in this position, a period of
twenty-eight years, bears speaking evidence of Mr. Tollen's ability
and fidelity. Mr. Tollen married, in 1876, Laura Peterson, a native of
Kingsbury, Norway, and they have one son, Gustav Tollen, Jr. In his
political relations Mr. Tollen is a Republican, and in religion both
he and Mrs. Tollen are members of the Lutheran church. |