BENJAMIN F. CHYNOWETH

BENJAMIN F. CHYNOWETH, one of the few remaining pioneers of the copper region of Lake Superior, is a prominent citizen and business man of Houghton, Houghton County, Michigan. He was born near Pottsville, Pennsylvania, in 1851, and is a son of Capt. John and Phillipa Chynoweth. Capt. John Chynoweth was born in St. Agnes, Cornwall, England, and was two or three years of age when brought by his parents to this country. Not long after, his father was killed in a coal mine of Pennsylvania and the widow and family returned to England, where young John remained until he was 21 years old. He then spent a period of five years in Spain, after which he came to America, locating in Pennsylvania, where he was married. He came to the copper region in Michigan in 1854, and assumed charge of the National mine, attending to the business and interests of a Pittsburg syndicate. He prepared a home for his family, his wife and three children joining him in 1855; they landed from the steamer at Ontonagon, then proceeded up the Ontonagon River to their new home. Mr. Chynoweth continued in charge of the National mine until 1876, moving then to the Mass mine, which he opened. He subsequently opened the Great Western, now a part of what is known as the Belt, and the Aztec mines, in addition to which he had charge of the Victoria and other mines. He continued very actively in the mining business until 1886, when he retired and moved to Houghton. There he resided the remainder of his life, dying February 9, 1896.  He was well known in business circles and had friends throughout the Northern Peninsula. At Pittsburg, where he lived before coming to Michigan, he followed the machinist's trade, being an adept in that line, and also did the surveying and engineering for the mines with which he was connected in the Northern Peninsula. He was a public spirited citizen but never an office seeker, although he served efficiently as school officer for some time. Mrs. Phillipa Chynoweth was born in England, but was brought to this country when six years old, her parents locating in Pennsylvania. She was a daughter of Stephen Barkla, who was prominent in developing the anthracite coal regions. Six children were born to our subject's parents, namely: Mrs. H. M. Raymond, of Houghton, Michigan; Mrs. Dr. W. A. Burnham; Benjamin F., our subject; Emma; Clarence, of Houghton, Michigan; and Charles, agent for the Union Land Company, of Calumet, Michigan, who is interested in Arizona mining operations.

Benjamin F. Chynoweth was reared in Ontonagon County, Michigan, and after completing a course in high school attended Albion College. He later attended the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, for two years, and then took a business course at the Ann Arbor Business College. He became associated in business with his father, with whom he continued until 1887, and continued actively identified with mining until 1899, having charge of the National mine for some years. He purchased the Mass mine and operated it until 1898, when it was sold to the company that has it now in charge. Mr. Chynoweth. has various mining interests in the West. He is a director of the Ontonagon County National Bank of Rockland, which was established in 1898; and was one of the organizers of the Citizens' Bank of Houghton, which was chartered July 6, 1900, and is doing a flourishing business. In 1891 Mr. Chynoweth was united in marriage with Matilda Chynoweth, a daughter of Richard Chynoweth, of Rockland, Ontonagon County, Michigan, also a pioneer of the copper region, and they have five children, John, Curtis, Beryl, Benjamin and Theodore. Politically our subject is a Republican, and for a period of 15 years was surveyor of Ontonagon County, and also served as one of the county's supervisors. Fraternally he is a member of Rockland Lodge, A. F. & A. M.; and formerly was a member of the Knights of the Maccabees. He is a man of public spirit, and possesses many fine traits of character, which have made him many friends throughout this section of Michigan. His many business ventures have been successful, and he is rated one of the substantial men of Houghton County.

Source: Biographical Record, Houghton, Baraga and Marquette Counties.  Chicago: Biographical Publishing Company, 1903.