Legislator Details
Portrait of Edward Breitung scanned from Rep.Dist. 9 page previous to p.5.
Vital Records Information:
Marital Information:
married Mary Pauline of Port Washington, WI 11/28/1870; children 2 sons:William M. (died in infancy) and Edward N.
Number of Children: 2
Background
Education:
1849, graduated from the College of Mining, Meiningen, Germany
After coming to MI, attended school in Richland several months to learn English.
Biographical Sketch:
Son of a Lutheran clergyman. Emigrated to Kalamazoo, MI in 1849 moved to Detroit in 1851 and became a clerk in a mercantile house. In 1855 he moved to Marquette, MI and engaged in mercantile pursuits until 1859. He went to Negaunee, Marquette Co. and soon began looking for mineral interests. With Isaac B. Case, he operated the Pioneer Furnace under contract. He sold out his mercantile business to engage exclusively in iron-mining operations in 1864. He opened the Menoninee range in 1863 and the Washington Mine in 1864. He opened the Negaunee hematite range in 1870 and opened the Republic Mine in 1871. 1882 and 1883 brought his attention to the Vermillion iron range in Minnesota. Later, he became interested in gold and silver mining in Colorado. Served as mayor of Negaunee in 1880, 1882-83. Died of pneumonia after a 3 week illness at his winter home in Georgia.
Notable Facts:
MIBiog gives dob: Nov 10, 1831. Elected to Congress. Member of Masonic Fraternity and Knights of the Templar. Pioneer Collection says he died in Georgia; Congressional Biography says he died in Negaunee, MI.