Teachers and School Days
Wedding Dress
Irene Schultz Mileski (1906-1996) Irene was a teacher but since teachers were not allowed to marry at the time, Irene and her husband married secretly. It was 1930 and they were living in Iron River. Irene was a seamstress so it is thought that she made this non-traditional wedding dress herself. Irene was born in Hermansville. She received her teacher’s certificate from Northern State Normal School (now NMU) in 1925. Her first jobs were in Stambaugh and Caspian in Iron County. The couple had two children and moved to Marquette in 1944. Irene taught elementary school at Vandenboom and Whitman schools. She retired in 1957. Different schools and regions had different policies on being married. Marquette may have been more liberal at the time. Irene and her husband Zigmund are pictured here as well as her class at Vandenboom in the 1950s. |
Graduation Gown
Viola Backes (1876-1955) Viola or “Ole” was one of eight children born to Louis and Frances Backes. Louis settled in Michigamme circa 1874. The family had a small farm and ran a boarding house. Viola graduated high school in 1892 and taught in Michigamme with her high school degree. She was paid $250/year. In 1901 she attended Chicago Kindergarten College for a one year teaching certificate. Her three sisters attended Superior Normal School in Superior, Wisconsin (She also had a twin sister who died when she was two years old.), and the four surviving sisters all became teachers. Viola taught in Two Harbors, Grand Rapids, and Hibbins, Minnesota. She sent money home to her mother after her father died in 1929. After retiring, she returned to Michigamme and lived with her mother. In the photo, probably from her high school graduation, the neck is open. Later a high neck was added, which seems more appropriate for a teacher. White and ivory lace dresses like this were common at the turn of the century. It looks a bit like a wedding dress. In a way, she was married to her work as a teacher. |
Edwardian Gown
Olga Girzi (1874-1967) Olga was an Ishpeming teacher at Ridge Street School. She was born in Ishpeming and went to Northern Normal for a Life Certificate (1904) and three year degree (1908). This dress dates to that time. Perhaps she wore it for her graduation. |
Baby’s Button Boots
Sarah Bottrell (1904-2011) Sarah was born October 22, 1904 in Ishpeming to Cornish parents Richard Bottrell and Catherine Jones. She had twin older brothers, Harry and Thomas although Thomas died from polio when Sarah was a baby. Speaking of her childhood, she said “But I must’ve had it easy, because I never went without nice clothes or food all the time. I just don’t have any memory. I must’ve had a good mother to do all those things for us.” After Sarah graduated from Ishpeming High School in 1922, her family moved to Marquette where she enrolled at Northern Normal. She would call that house at 1240 N. Third Street home for the rest of her life. After Sarah completed her three-year teaching course, she went to Newberry where she taught history and geography in the junior high school for four years. During the summers, she would return to Marquette to take additional classes, receiving her Bachelor of Arts degree in 1929. Starting in 1925 Sarah worked in the Newberry Public Schools for 27 years. Sarah and the other teachers boarded with local families. Next she taught in the Marquette Public Schools for 16 years until her retirement in 1970. She taught US History with passion and purpose. She had a love of learning and desired to give that gift to all her students. Sarah was an active member of the First United Methodist Church and was especially involved with the music ministry. Sarah died at the age of 106. |
Earrings mid 1900s
Priscilla Densmore (1896-1995) Priscilla worked for Northern for 42 years, primarily in placing graduates in their first teaching jobs. Her grandfather Amos Densmore is credited with inventing the typewriter though he and her uncle were unable to sell the product to the public. Priscilla was born in Springfield, Massachusetts, graduated high school and then the Hoff Business School. Her family moved to Marquette in 1919 so her father could open the Keystone Handle Co. which made broomsticks and chair legs. The venture was unsuccessful. Priscilla went to work at Northern and later supported her parents. While they were alive, she lived with her parents. Later she lived in an apartment at 300 W. Ridge. She was a member of first Presbyterian Church and the Marquette Historical Society (now the MRHC). Painted Feather Fan with Peacock Feathers
Ruth Schoonover Bell (1900-1986) Ruth Bell was born in Wisconsin, attended Northern State Normal School (now NMU), and graduated from University of Wisconsin with a master’s degree. She lived in Negaunee for over 60 years. She taught English at Negaunee High School for 21 years: circa 1924-1945. She married Paul Bell, son of Judge Frank A. Bell in 1956. Paul worked for 30 years at the First National Bank in Negaunee. He also served on the Negaunee school board. They did not have any children. Miss Schoonover was probably subject to the Marriage Bar which affected women from the late 1800s until the 1970s. Women were not allowed to be married while teaching. Ruth was in her fifties when she married. |
Prom Dress
Yvonne Ekstedt Dorais (1928-2019) This gown was made by Yvonne’s mother for her prom in 1948 with John Dorais and worn again at the Intercollegiate Dance on December 29, 1953 held at the Brookton. Yvonne was born in Illinois and graduated from Munising High School. She married her high school sweetheart in 1949. The couple had four children. Yvonne graduated from St. Luke’s School of Nursing in Marquette. She was an orthopedic nurse supervisor and emergency room nurse at Marquette General. After retiring, she developed and taught the Health Occupations class at Marquette Senior High School. John worked for many years for Lake Superior and Ishpeming Railroad, retiring from the position of Manager of Personnel and Safety. The two were very involved in their community and church. Sporting related involvements included the Marquette Figure Skating Club, the Marquette Golf and Country Club, the Marquette Alger Special Olympics, and the US Olympic Training Center at NMU. Yvonne also volunteered at the hospital gift shop and in the nurse auxiliary. The couple were honored for their efforts with the Bishop Baraga Man and Woman of the Year (2002) and the Knights of Columbus State of Michigan Family of the Year (2003) awards. |
Lettermen’s Sweater, Marquette High School
Ken Case (1925-2010) Born in Hancock and raised in Marquette, Ken graduated from Graveraet, Marquette’s High School in 1943. He then served in the US Marine Corps from 1943-46 in the Pacific Theater. After his service, he attended NMU where he lettered in football, basketball, and track. After marrying Judith Longyear Paul, Ken worked for Soo Hardware Co., becoming the general manager. The couple raised three children: John Case, Carol Brady, and Tina Case all of Marquette. Ken played football and ran track and is remembered as a good overall athlete. Wool Gym Shorts or “Bloomers” 1920s and White Linen Dress, Sportswear circa 1940
LaFerne “Bud” Hurst (1899-1983) Born and raised in Lansing, LaFerne graduated from Michigan State University in 1922. She taught home economics and coached basketball and women’s swimming in Morenci, Michigan (near the Ohio border). She married Victor Hurst in 1926 and the couple settled in Marquette. Vic Hurst was the coach and PE instructor at NMU and Pierce High School. He took the boys basketball team to State Championships in 1961. The couple had two children: Dr. Don Hurst and Jo Hurst Schills. Her obit describes her as “an avid sports fan throughout her life.” She is also remembered for her work repairing dolls, which led to her becoming experienced in antique dolls. It began in the 1930s as a way for the Boy and Girl Scouts to redistribute old toys to children in need. She would repair and teach the Girls Scouts how to repair the dolls, especially china and bisque ones. She became the local “doll hospital” for over thirty years. Her work included repairing antique dolls for the History Center as well. Both Victor and LaFerne also carved wooden dolls. These bloomers would have been worn in gym class or basketball. They are labeled with both her maiden name and her married name. She was married in 1926, so they were likely worn in the 1920s. |
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