Men at Work and Play
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White Suit circa 1910
Philip Spear Sr. (1874-1949) Philip Spear Sr. was the eldest son of Frank B. Spear Sr. and Sarah K. Spear. After graduating from the University of Michigan, Philip and his brother Frank Jr. went to work for their father. Philip’s father Frank Sr. and his uncle John began a mercantile shipping business in Marquette soon after arriving in 1864. They brought the first shipment of coal to the city and operated a dock in the lower harbor. John became a merchant and Frank stayed in shipping--moving coal, wood, grain, and building supplies. A coal dock and merchandise dock were located at the end of Main St. from 1900-1929. In the twenties the company built a large coal dock and unloader in the harbor at the site of present day Mattson Park which operated until 1976. Two merchandise docks were at the foot of Baraga and south of Baraga Ave. (both south of today’s No. 6 ore dock) as well as a nearby warehouse. In 1905 Philip took over the feed and flour branch of the company. This outfit dates from that time period. He could have worked at the either of the merchandise docks and/or the warehouse. Philip was active in the community, serving on the Marquette County Road Commission for 20 years. He was on the Marquette Chamber of Commerce and board of the Kawbawgam Hotel Co. (which owned the Hotel Northland, now the Landmark Inn). He married Mary Northrop in 1899, daughter of Dr. George and Mrs. Northrop. The couple had two sons, Philip Jr. and George. His two sons carried on the successful family business. |
A&P Grocery Manager’s Coat
Herbert Maves (1910-1993) Herbert was the manager at the A&P store; the building later became the Marquette Regional History Center where you are standing right now. After the A&P closed, the building housed both the MarqTran bus garage and the state police crime lab. In 2011 the Marquette Regional History Center opened in the newly renovated building. Maves had worked at the A&P since 1932. After 43 years, he retired in 1975 as manager. This suit coat still has the original 1953 packing slip attached, so it looks like Herbert never wore it. Maybe he had an older jacket or uniform he preferred that was already broken in, and he was saving this for a day that never came. Maybe he needed to be more hands on and practical, rolling up his shirt sleeves and tying on an apron. |
Boy's Boots and Linen Romper
Robert Clark (1915-1995) Robert was an attorney in private practice. Harlow and Nellie Clark had four children from 1913 to 1925: Ruth, Robert, Alden, and James, pictured here. For many years, children dressed in white dresses until they were about six when they also got their first haircuts. Photos from the late 1800s and early 1900s often show little boys with long hair wearing long dresses. They might also be wearing pink. Blue was not necessarily a boy’s color at this time. As pastels became popular in the early 1900s, there was debate over who should wear what. Some publications claimed pink, like the strong color red, was a boy’s color. Others suggested blue looked good on any blue-eyed child and pink on brown-eyed ones. Rompers became popular at this time as well. They were considered more comfortable and less restrictive compared to traditional Victorian clothing. This romper also has a slot with a modesty flap to make potty training easier. Robert served in the Army Air Corps in England during World War II. He married Lottie Clark and they raised six daughters and one son. Robert was involved in many community organizations including the Rotary Club, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Marquette Choral Society. Robert and Lottie are seen here. The great-grandson of pioneers Amos and Olive Harlow Robert was also involved in the Marquette County Historical Society and penned poems as “Harlow’s Wooden Man.” Amos Harlow created his Wooden Man by turning a tree trunk over and placing it in the ground behind his home on Fourth Street. |
Hat
Phil Niemisto (1929-2018)
Phil was born at the start of the Great Depression. His parents sent him and his two sisters away. He grew up in the Marquette’s Holy Family Orphanage where he learned some farm skills. As a teenager, he was on his own, working a variety of jobs. He worked as the janitor at Peter White Public Library for several years.
When Phil was in his fifties he became self-employed. He washed windows and shoveled snow for downtown businesses. He also created and cared for flower gardens. Phil is remembered for his hard work, working six days a week as well as his friendliness. “Phil the Window Washer” was known by nearly everyone who worked or shopped downtown. He was always quick to say hello and share a smile and a story.
This is one of Phil’s caps. He always dressed smartly for work in his shirt, tie, vest, and cap—and a smile on his face. The cap has a Paul Harris Fellow Pin. These are issued by Rotary for a donation of $1000 or more. The donation was likely made in Phil’s honor.
Phil Niemisto (1929-2018)
Phil was born at the start of the Great Depression. His parents sent him and his two sisters away. He grew up in the Marquette’s Holy Family Orphanage where he learned some farm skills. As a teenager, he was on his own, working a variety of jobs. He worked as the janitor at Peter White Public Library for several years.
When Phil was in his fifties he became self-employed. He washed windows and shoveled snow for downtown businesses. He also created and cared for flower gardens. Phil is remembered for his hard work, working six days a week as well as his friendliness. “Phil the Window Washer” was known by nearly everyone who worked or shopped downtown. He was always quick to say hello and share a smile and a story.
This is one of Phil’s caps. He always dressed smartly for work in his shirt, tie, vest, and cap—and a smile on his face. The cap has a Paul Harris Fellow Pin. These are issued by Rotary for a donation of $1000 or more. The donation was likely made in Phil’s honor.
Monogrammed Cuff Links
Charles Westen (1869-1944)
Born in Sweden, he immigrated to the US in 1889. He was the general car foreman for LS&I. These cuffs date from circa 1890-1910. They may have been worn at his wedding to Dora Anderson in 1897. They had a son, Brodie, and adopted a daughter, Ruth. Pictured here on their wedding day.
Charles Westen (1869-1944)
Born in Sweden, he immigrated to the US in 1889. He was the general car foreman for LS&I. These cuffs date from circa 1890-1910. They may have been worn at his wedding to Dora Anderson in 1897. They had a son, Brodie, and adopted a daughter, Ruth. Pictured here on their wedding day.
Vintage Velvet Vest
Claudius Grant Pendill (1891-1984)
Claudius was still a boy when his mother Mary Florence died in 1904. He went to live with his grandmother. He was a choir boy at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church and continued to enjoy music throughout this life. He graduated from Northern State Normal School (now NMU) as class president and played both basketball and football. He enlisted in the Navy in 1917, serving in WWI, WWII, and the Korean War. He retired as a Captain. Most of his life he lived outside of Marquette though he did return to visit and maintained a relationship with the MRHC. Claudius married Gertrude Wallaeger in 1921 and they had four children.
This vest dates back to the 1890s. It has a padded chest, leather trim on the inside, and marcasite buttons, which are made of pyrite or “fool’s gold.” There is a repair on the back. It has three pockets, which was unusual.
Claude would have worn this vest as part of a casual Rah-Rah suit, a popular trend when he was a young college man at Northern circa 1910. College men wore larger, exaggerated “loud” or “snappy” suits, sometimes with a vintage vest such as this. This was a popular trend circa 1908-1912 and again after the Great War in 1918.
Claudius Grant Pendill (1891-1984)
Claudius was still a boy when his mother Mary Florence died in 1904. He went to live with his grandmother. He was a choir boy at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church and continued to enjoy music throughout this life. He graduated from Northern State Normal School (now NMU) as class president and played both basketball and football. He enlisted in the Navy in 1917, serving in WWI, WWII, and the Korean War. He retired as a Captain. Most of his life he lived outside of Marquette though he did return to visit and maintained a relationship with the MRHC. Claudius married Gertrude Wallaeger in 1921 and they had four children.
This vest dates back to the 1890s. It has a padded chest, leather trim on the inside, and marcasite buttons, which are made of pyrite or “fool’s gold.” There is a repair on the back. It has three pockets, which was unusual.
Claude would have worn this vest as part of a casual Rah-Rah suit, a popular trend when he was a young college man at Northern circa 1910. College men wore larger, exaggerated “loud” or “snappy” suits, sometimes with a vintage vest such as this. This was a popular trend circa 1908-1912 and again after the Great War in 1918.
Gordon and Mary Yates
Square Dancing Costumes and Bowling Shirt
Gordon Yates (1911-1999) and Mary Armundsen Yates (1909-2001)
Gordon and Mary enjoyed square dancing. They first started their hobby in 1956 when they took a class, and with 47 other couples, formed the city’s first square dancing club, Whitman School’s Whirl-A-Ways. At one time Gordon and Mary were in four dance clubs in Marquette County. The clubs usually met to dance once a week. Square dancing was popular in the fifties, sixties, and seventies. Gordon was also active in bowling league; this is one of his shirts.
Gordon and his father owned and managed Yates Gas Station, on the corner of Front and Baraga. During World War II, Gordon served as an Aviation Mechanist’s Mate Flight Engineer.
Gordon Yates (1911-1999) and Mary Armundsen Yates (1909-2001)
Gordon and Mary enjoyed square dancing. They first started their hobby in 1956 when they took a class, and with 47 other couples, formed the city’s first square dancing club, Whitman School’s Whirl-A-Ways. At one time Gordon and Mary were in four dance clubs in Marquette County. The clubs usually met to dance once a week. Square dancing was popular in the fifties, sixties, and seventies. Gordon was also active in bowling league; this is one of his shirts.
Gordon and his father owned and managed Yates Gas Station, on the corner of Front and Baraga. During World War II, Gordon served as an Aviation Mechanist’s Mate Flight Engineer.
Learn more about local people and their clothing through these subjects:
Pioneers and Immigrants | Made with Love, Reused & Recycled
Teachers and School Days | Artists & Musicians
Men at Work and Play | Hunting, Riding, and More
Pioneers and Immigrants | Made with Love, Reused & Recycled
Teachers and School Days | Artists & Musicians
Men at Work and Play | Hunting, Riding, and More