Justus S. Stearns: Michigan Pine King and Kentucky Coal Baron, 1845-1933 by Michael W. Nagle
Near the turn of the twentieth century, Pine King Justus S. Stearns was Michigans largest producer of manufactured lumber and the owner of a prosperous coal mining operation headquartered in Stearns, Kentucky, a town he founded. Over the course of his career, Stearns would own at least thirty manufacturing businessesmaking everything from finished lumber to kitchen utensils, game boards, and motorsas well as hotels, a railroad, and a power company. He was also an active member of the Republican Party who served one term as Michigans secretary of state and a philanthropist who gave a great deal of his wealth to causes in both Michigan and Kentucky. In Justus S. Stearns: Michigan Pine King and Kentucky Coal Baron, 18451933, author Michael W. Nagle details Stearns astounding range of accomplishments and explores the influence of both paternalism and Social Darwinism in his business practices.
Nagle begins by addressing key events in the first few decades of Stearnss life and his initial foray into the lumber industry. Subsequent chapters explore Stearnss political career, his timber operations in Wisconsin, and his coal, lumber, and railroad operations in Kentucky and Tennessee. Nagle also details the ancillary businesses that Stearns founded or purchased in the early twentieth century, even as his Stearns Salt & Lumber Company served as the anchor of his Michigan holdings, while Stearns Coal & Lumber did the same for his operations in Kentucky. The final chapter offers an overview and analysis of Stearnss lifetime of accomplishments, including his impact on the town of Ludington, Michigan, where he maintained a residence for over fifty years.
Nagle makes extensive use of primary source material from several historical archives as well as contemporary newspaper accounts, court documents, company records, and other primary sources. American history scholars, as well as general readers interested in Michigans lumbering era and Kentuckys mining history, will enjoy this biography of an exceptionally influential businessman.
Nagle begins by addressing key events in the first few decades of Stearnss life and his initial foray into the lumber industry. Subsequent chapters explore Stearnss political career, his timber operations in Wisconsin, and his coal, lumber, and railroad operations in Kentucky and Tennessee. Nagle also details the ancillary businesses that Stearns founded or purchased in the early twentieth century, even as his Stearns Salt & Lumber Company served as the anchor of his Michigan holdings, while Stearns Coal & Lumber did the same for his operations in Kentucky. The final chapter offers an overview and analysis of Stearnss lifetime of accomplishments, including his impact on the town of Ludington, Michigan, where he maintained a residence for over fifty years.
Nagle makes extensive use of primary source material from several historical archives as well as contemporary newspaper accounts, court documents, company records, and other primary sources. American history scholars, as well as general readers interested in Michigans lumbering era and Kentuckys mining history, will enjoy this biography of an exceptionally influential businessman.