Here are some photos of the once up and running open pit iron ore mine.  This mine is where my great grandfather worked up until it closed and just prior to it closing up fully he and my great grandmother along with their children moved to Illinois.  

The very sad thing is that my great grandmother Anna passed away shortly after moving down to Illinois. Unfortunately my two great aunts my grandfathers sisters talked my great grandfather into transporting her back up to Republic Michigan to be buried, but when my great grandfather passed away no one could afford to have his body transported to Republic so he is buried in Illinois. At least that is the story I recall hearing as to why he wasn’t buried next to his wife and young son. 

Family history is so fascinating to me and I never tire hearing stories about my ancestors.