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Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott
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Formatted by USGenNet Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott
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A History of the Northern Peninsula
and its People, Vol. 2
Alvah Littlefield Sawyer, 1911

        [841]
        
        CHARLES J. OSTERBERG. - Distinguished as one of the original set-
     tlers of Iron Mountain, and being the only one living, CHARLES J. OSTERBERG has been closely associated with the rapid development and growth of this part of the Upper Peninsula, and as a junior member of the firm of Halberg & Osterberg is carrying on a substantial mercan-tile business.  He was born, April 2, 1856, at Soderkoping, Ostergoth-land, Sweden, where his parents, one brother and two sisters, are still living.  Five of his brothers, HARRY and HUGO, twins, ROBERT, JEAN and IVER, emigrated to this country, and have here established their homes.  Leaving school at the age of seventeen years, CHARLES J. OSTERBERG served an apprenticeship at the machinist's trade in Stock-holm, and was there employed in his chosen occupation until 1879.  In that year, filled with the ambitious hopes of energetic youth, he came to the United States, and in Chicago secured employment with the Menominee Mining Company, and was given free transportation to the town of Norway, Dickinson county, Michigan.  After working a short time as shoveler at the stock pile, he was selected as one of a party of explorers, and was sent in a box car to Quinnesee.  There the little band of eight people, including CAPTAIN WICKS, started with a four-mule wagon loaded with tools, tents, boards and provisions, for the interior, and came to the present site of Iron Mountain.  About midway of their journey the party passed a log cabin occupied by ex-plorers, Keelridge, and near the present site of the St. Paul Railway Station stood an empty cabin which had been occupied by loggers, those two cabins being the only buildings nearer this place than Quinnesee.  The company pitched their tents on section thirty, and with the boards put up a shack to be used as a kitchen, building a roof over the table.  Beginning at once to explore, these men finally uncovered what is now the Chapin Mine.
        When the cold winter came these pioneer miners often had to sweep
     the snow from the table before eating breakfast, and they anxiously awaited the building of a house where they could secure board.  Just before Christmas their hopes were realized, MR. MAREHAND opening a house which was crowded to the limit until two weeks later, when JEROME RAYAME opened his boarding house.  In the early winter an en-gine was brought here by the mining company, and MR. OSTERBERG as en-gineer operated the first engine used at Iron Mountain, and continued as stationary engineer for the company until 1884.  Embarking then in mercantile pursuits, he kept a general store here for three years.  Going then to Iron county, he took up a homestead claim twenty miles north of Iron River, erected two log houses on the tract, and was there a resident until 1889.  Returning then to Iron Mountain, MR. OSTERBERG was for awhile employed as a clerk, first in a grocery, and later in a hardware establishment.  Purchasing the building in which he is now located in 1890, he has since been prosperously engaged in the bakery and grocery business, since 1895 having been in partnership with PETER HALBERG under the present firm name of Halberg & Osterberg.
        Having never married, MR. OSTERBERG is free from the cares and per-
     plexities of domestic life, while his only knowledge of its comforts and happiness is gleaned from observation.  Faternally he is a member of Nordst Jernan Lodge, No. 15. S. H. & E. F.
     
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