Seven Iron Brothers

The Seven Iron Men, Ather known as Merritt Brothers, were known as iron-ore pioneers in the Mesabi Range and the creation of what is now known as Mountain Iron.^[1] Their story was told, in part, by the book Seven Iron Men by Paul de Kruif.^[2]. The book was first published in 1929.

The brothers, actually five brothers and two nephews, are credited with charting the Mesabi Range and recording the areas which demonstrated the highest potential for iron to be found after they'd recognized what they found.^[3]. Due to the lack of railroads in the region, they were unable to transport the ore, and this led to the growth of the railroads in the region.^[1] The railroad, while beneficial for transport was at the center of conflict between the Merrit Brothers and J.D. Rockefeller,^[4] to whom they were eventually forced to sell their stake in Mountain Iron^[1] in 1893.^[3]

References

1. ^ ^{a b c} "Merritt Brothers". Minnesota Historical Society. http://www.mnhs.org/library/tips/history_topics/126merritt.htm. Retrieved 2008-02-15. 
2. ^ [[Paul de Kruif |de Kruif, Paul]] (2007). Seven Iron Men: The Merritts and the Discovery of the Mesabi Range. University of Minnesota Press. 0-8166-5262-7. 
3. ^ ^{a b} Diane Alden (2003-06-26). "Where the Rivers Run North, Part II". Newsmax. http://archive.newsmax.com/archives/articles/2003/6/25/191654.shtml. Retrieved 2008-02-15. 
4. ^ "Iron Range - The Mining Frontier". Macalester College. http://www.macalester.edu/geography/mage/urban/iron_range/vermillion.htm. Retrieved 2008-02-15.