The L'Anse sentinel., 1907-11-09
MANY PAY
LAST TRIBUTE
Citizens From Various Parts Of Upper
Peninsula Pay Last Respects
to Hardy Pioneer.

to Hardy Pioneer.
Tuesday morning at IL O'Clock in
the little hamlet of Skanee occurred
one Of the largest funerals held in
Baraga county in many years. ac
which time citizens from all parts Of
the county and likewise various
places throughout the upper penin-
sula gathered to pay their homage
to the late Captain Walfred Been,
whose sudden death occurred while
en- route to his late home, Thursday
of last week.
At the above stated hour Revs.
Erick Rehner, of Hancock, and c. <.
Odell, of South Saltwater, Mimi,
extended words Of consolation to the
grief stricken family and friends.
At the conclusion of the cememony
the remains were borne to the family
lot in the Skanee cemetery, where
all that was earthly of a once hardy
pioneer was laid at rest.
The active pail bearers were Sam
uel Shears, F. W. Foote. p. G..
Westrom, Aug. Paulson, ]. Gust and
Peter Rehen. The honorary bearers
were Aug. Menge, ]. R. Thomas,
p. Brennan, Chas. Johnson, Peter
Holmstrom and A. G. Westrom.
The esteem in which Capt. Been
was held by his many friends in life
was plainly manifested by the pro.
fusion of floral offerings which were
in evidence at this time.
Capt. Walfred Been.
Captain Walfred Been was born in
Helsingborg, Sweden, the 10th Of
October, 1924. In obedience to his
parents wishes he studied medicine,
but his inclination was for the sea.
Therefore at the age of twenty-one
years, he went to sea as sailor be-
fore the mast. After one year OF
sailing be went to Stockholm, where
he studied navigation under bis
brother-in law, John Hogfeldt, who
was the founder and head OF the new
navigation school, and after com
pleting his course in navigation he
retuEped to the sea and sailed
number of years on all the waters
OF the globe.
IL was but natural that America
with her wonderful possibilities
tempted him. In 1883 he spent four
months in New Orleans. From New
Orleans he went to the home OF his
brother, who had settled in Chataqua
county, New York state. In 1856
Captain Been became an American
citizen, and like Jacob Ruse was the
better citizen in that he chose his
own country.
While in New York the great
lakes attracted his attention and he
decided to try his luck on fresh
water. Purchasing an interest in
schooner, Java" he began sailing,
making his headquarters at Saginaw,
Mich. Here he acquired possession
OF the land which is now occupied by
the city OF Saginaw. During severe
storm the schooner was lost on Lake
Erie.
During the year 1858 chance led
him to Lake Superior. He traded
his land in Saginaw, which was then
but fishing port, for sailboat and
fishing outfit and located in Baraga.
The winter months he spent at
Huron Bay with bis partner, Mr..
Rattery, trapping fur animals.
In 1863 be visited his mother in
Sweden, and on the return voyage
he met Miss Agnes Won Zellen,
whom be married in 1866. They
made their home in Baraga until
1871, when he removed with bis
family and three of his countrymen
to Huron Bay.
The first FIVE years at Huron Bay
we're strenuous oses. When sup
plies we're needed this hardy pioneer
would carry them on this back
distance OF eighteen miles over q
trail from L'Aase- -and thus was the
establishment Of the settlement OF
Skanee brought about.
The beauty Of the natural harbor
Huron Bay appealed to him TO locate
there, feeling that IL must Ultimate
ly become an important shipping
port Of Lake Superior.
For the next few years he engaged