Co-ops were among the first places locals could shop for groceries. (Photo courtesy of the Negaunee Historical Society)

It was not unusual to have “bees” to put up a home, to dig the potatoes, or to make hay. In Finland, it was not uncommon for a group to own a fishing hut and equipment to hunt in groups or to own mills. Because of this many Finns were interested in cooperatives. It is said that the first co-op was a hat that was circulated to collect money to help out someone less fortunate.

The “Poikatalot” (the boys  house) was sometimes owned by single men and were the first forms of early cooperatives. Grocery unions or co-ops were among the earliest  of these cooperatives and were established by the Finns. In this area, Republic had the first Finnish American Workmen’s Association in 1907. Owner shares were $5.00 each and the limit was 20 shares, with each shareholder having one vote. Matt Arola and Walter Ericskon were early managers. The name was later changed to the Republic Finnish Cooperative Store. For a few years these co-ops didn’t develop because of competition with other  up and coming businesses and members were buying from other stores. In 1913, ground beef cost 20 cents a pound, beef roast was 24 cents a pound, a bushel of potatoes was 75 cents, flour was $3 for 100 pounds and sugar was $5.40 for 100 pounds. In 1913, Rock got its first co-op due to the Calumet strike.

Miners moved to Rock to escape the unfavorable working conditions. They had experience working together in other organizations and had to get the earliest and best means of livelihood for their families. To them the co-op was the  only solution. The store was built by a “bee” sometimes between August and November. For a time it was known as Maple Ridge Co-op. In 1916, Negaunee got a co-op, Ishpeming in 1919, and Palmer in 1921. It was the Finnish immigrant who brought this movement to America.

This is where the Credit Unions  got their start, through the members belonging to the cooperative.  Other immigrants that brought business to the land of wood and iron were the Ollilla’s. Back in the horse and buggy days the Ollila family took care of their  customers in a very special way. At one time, the grocery stores had to have personnel that spoke a foreign language as well as English. Those were the good old days when different nationalities settled in our area and were able to shop  for their groceries where their native language was spoken. The Ollila family served Negaunee and Ishpeming. Herman Elson, a Finnish immigrant came to this country in 1887.

In 1906, he handed out  a flyer… NOTICE! I have opened a factory in which I will manufacture First Class Carbonated Drinks, including Seltzer Water.  H.W. Elson Bottling Works Ishpeming Michigan. He started this business in his basement. Another immigrant, Jafet Rytkonen opened up the Star Theater, the Bijou and the Vista in Negaunee and the Ishpeming Theater. The Finns had a diversity of businesses. In  August and September of 1902 an organizational meeting was held in Ishpeming and Negaunee to form the Northern Mutual Fire Insurance Company.

A two dollar membership was required, and the premium fee for insurance. An interesting item in its rules was the appointment of a chimney cleaner and it was mandated that chimneys be cleaned twice a year. People from many countries came to this land in search of a better life. Finnish-Americans have been into just about every profession and occupation, Doctors and Dentists, teachers, nurses, attorneys and clergy. Some settled in the area to work in the mines, as lumberjacks, and as farmers. Together with other immigrants they worked side by side to build a strong nation.