Sister Senia Sanna Liisa (Ruotsinkoski) Kiviniemi immigrated 1910 age 26 (1894-1973)(#65600235)
NEWS ARTICLE Iron River Reporter May 14 1940 "Hounds Follow Trail Of Huvila"
A sheriff's posse led by two bloodhounds beat through the bush north of the Homer location for hours yesterday in fruitless search for Albin Huvila, 40, Homer resident who terrorized his neighborhood with a gun early Sunday.
Sheriff Emery J. King believes Huvila fled from the district Sunday following his obstreperous conduct and is now out of the state.
Huvila and his wife returned Sunday morning from a party. He suddenly became angry and fired his rifle point blank at a wall. The charge narrowly missed his small son sleeping in the next room.
When Mrs. Huvila fled to the street, her husband held the rifle against his abdomen and threatened to pull the trigger if she did not return, the sheriff said. She dared him to do so, the officer reported, and raced to a neighbor's home.
LOSE SCENT The sheriff said Huvila, clad in his shirt and trousers and carrying the rifle and a hatful of shells, walked to a barn and entered the woods beyond. A deputy was stationed on guard at the home all night.
Since the fugitive was armed, the sheriff was unable to obtain CCC and WPA assistance in the search. Five deputies searched the brush on Sunday and yesterday at King's request, Sheriff Reindl of Menominee county sent two deputies with a pair of bloodhounds.
The dogs picked up the scent and followed Huvila's track into the brush for a half mile, only to lose it again and again. Finally the officers concluded that Huvila had left town.
"If Huvila were in that brush, the dogs would have found him," sheriff King said. Officers of the county and neighboring counties will be on the lookout for him.
NEWS ARTICLE Iron River Reporter May 17 1940 "Abandon Search For Homer Man"
Iron county officers have abandoned active search for Albin Huvila, 40, of the Homer location, who fled from his home Sunday morning following an altercation.
Bloodhounds Monday failed to follow his tracks through a half mile of brush country north of his home. Deputies beat through the surrounding area without success. Sheriff Emery King believes Huvila has left the district.
Returning with Mrs. Huvila after a party, Huvila declared he was not going to bed. He went upstairs to get his rifle and returned with five shells.
Mrs. Huvila denied a report that her husband had brandished the rifle menacingly and threated to take his life. She said a shot was fired accidentally when Huvila loaded the gun. The shell lodged in a sofa. Mrs. Huvila admitted her husband had taken "several drinks" at the party. He left the home with the gun and entered the woods nearby; officers led by Sheriff King and Undersheriff James Haydon were unable to trace him. Authorities were in search of a motive for his disappearance.
Sheriff King and Undersheriff Haydon were called to the brush area yesterday to search again for Huvila. They had been informed that crows were circling the brush. The officers found a pile of cattle entrails that had attracted the birds.
OBITUARY Iron River Reporter May 24 1940 "Find Body Of Homer Employe, Called Suicide"
Twelve days after he disappeared from home following a family argument, the body of Albin Huvila, 44, Homer miner, was found in a shallow pit a few feet from the sidewalk between the Homer and Forbes locations in Mineral Hills yesterday afternoon at 2:30 p.m.
Thomas Roberts, elderly resident of the village, stumbled upon the partly decomposed body as he walked through the bush.
The discovery was made in a thicket about 200 feet southwest of the Capt. Harry Sleeman home. Bloodhounds used in a careful hunt for Huvila May 18 passed 100 feet away but lost the track. The spot is about 500 feet northeast of the Huvila home.
Sheriff Emery King said Huvila apparently shot himself in the head with a 38-caliber rifle. The gun was found lying nearby. Coroner M.L. Fansher concurred with the sheriff in pronouncing Huvila a suicide. No inquest will be necessary.
FUNERAL SATURDAY The body was removed to the Stambaugh Funeral home. Funeral services will be held there on Saturday afternoon at 2:30 p.m. Attendants have informed friends of the family that the casket will remain closed and the body may not be viewed.
Huvila is survived by his wife and three children, a boy of 10, a girl, 6, and a baby [1940 census shows an additional daughter age 14].
According to the story told Sheriff King when he was summoned to lead the search for the missing man, Huvila disappeared from home early Sunday, May 12, following an altercation.
Mrs. Huvila, it was said, had suggested to her husband that they drive to Ironwood on Sunday afternoon to visit with her relatives. He, however, did not wish to plan the trip, saying he was tired and preferred to stay at home.
THREATENED SUICIDE King said Huvila returned home with his wife from a party and in a morose mood speculated that he might take his own life. An argument ensued and Huvila went upstairs to obtain his rifle; a shot was fired accidentally as he procured the gun. Mrs. Huvila ran out into the yard. Her husband followed her, the officer said, and placed the muzzle against his abdomen, threatening to pull the trigger. Hysterical, Mrs. Huvila told him to "go ahead if you dare" and she fled out of the yard to a neighbor's home. Her husband ran down the porch steps, gun in hand, and passed 10 feet from his fleeing wife as he hastened to a barn at the rear. He was not seen again. Officers with bloodhounds brought from Menominee the next day followed his tracks into the brush for a short distance. The posse beat through the woods for one-half mile around but without success.
The dogs led officers over a hill and around the thicket to the railroad track near the Sleeman home. There, the dogs veered down the track and missed the real trail which led to a shallow grave-like pit. The pit, dug by small boys for a hideout, was six feet long, four feet across and three feet deep. The pit is about 75 feet from the sidewalk which connects the two locations.
The elderly Roberts was startled to see the body in the pit. He rushed to tell Capt. Sleeman and Sheriff King was notified by telephone.
MICHIGAN DEATH CERTIFICATES 1921-1952 at familysearch.org for Albin Huvila says born July 6 1896 in Finland; died May 12 1940 in Mineral Hills MI age 43 married parents John Huvila & Wendla Heitala.
FUNERAL HOME RECORDS at Iron County Museum for Albin Huvila say born July 6 1896 in Finland; died May 12 1940 in Stambaugh Twp [incorrect-Mineral Hills] miner married age 43years 10months 6days parents John Huvila & Wendla Heitala wife Lempi suicide-rifle bullet wound behind left ear.
1940 US CENSUS for Mineral Hills Iron River Twp Iron County MI shows Albin Huvila head age 43 married born Finland abt 1897 last residence same house. Marie wife age 36 married born abt 1904 Michigan. Eleanore daughter age 14 born abt 1926 Michigan. Raymond son age 12 born abt 1928 Michigan. Laura daughter age 5 born abt 1935 Michigan. Duane son age 0 born abt 1940 Michigan.
1930 US CENSUS for Mineral Hills Iron County MI shows Albin H. Huvila head age 33 married born Finland abt 1897 immigrated 1923 parents both born Finland. Marie wife age 36 married born Michigan abt 1904 parents both born Finland. Elinor M. daughter age 4 born abt 1926 Michigan. Raymond H.K. son age 2 born abt 1928 Michigan. Parents born Finland & Michigan for both children.
INFORMATION FROM RELATIVE granddaughter Maureen Pinnell ([email protected]) of southern Illinois says the children were Eleanor Heft (12/3/25-4/3/2007) died Chicago, Raymond Kenneth (1/12/28-9/10/94) died Lake Mills WI, Earl Duane (5/13/39-10/27/2009) died Cleveland.
Albin had a sister Senia Sanna Liisa (Ruotsinkoski) Kiviniemi (8/21/1883 Alavus Finland-11/23/1973 Middlefield Cemetery, Ohio) who immigrated 1910 age 26. Her maiden name was Ruotsinkoski.
Daughter Eleanor was actually about age 15 when Albin died. She was born out of wedlock and it is unknown if Albin was her father. Daughter Laura lives 2015 in Ironwood.
She does not feel that Albin killed himself, but thinks the son Raymond killed him by accident while trying to help his mother, and the mother to whom he was always close tried to cover up the deed. Raymond was an angry person all his life. A miner who lived right next door to him said Albin was a very quiet and polite man.
INFORMATION FROM RELATIVE granddaughter Carol Huvila ([email protected]) of Minooka IL whose father was Albin's son Earl. Albin's parents never came to the US or Canada. He had a brother John who possibly married a Coralie in the early 1900's. Albin also has a sister Tyyne Huvila who remained in Finland. Albin came to Canada in 1916, and lived in Sudbury for 7 years. He crossed over by ferry to Sault Ste Marie on April 15 1923. From there, he was with a John Vesterbakka who had an ill brother in Ironwood, so both of them travelled there. Albin worked at Kimberly Clark in Marenisco, where he met Andreas Kapyaho, who introduced Albin to his daughter Lempi. Andrew and Lempi were married two years later. Not sure why they ended up in Iron River.
There are a lot of questions surrounding this whole situation, and many theories about Albin's death, with the main conclusion that he was killed by someone (Lempi? son Raymond? Lempi's brothers?) who made it look like suicide.
Through the family, she has heard plenty about Lempi and how she was. The night Albin was shot, they were at a party, drinking, dancing, and her grandmother was pretty promiscuous. She would bet that's how the fight started. Her father Earl said that even when he was growing up, she was bringing home different men all the time. Travelling to Ironwood the day after the party was probably her idea of making it up to him, but he didn't want to go. She thinks things got pretty rough in the Huvila household that night.
The cause of death was a bullet wound behind the left ear, which makes one wonder how he could have even managed to pull the trigger himself. There apparently was a struggle with the shotgun, and it went off inside the house nearly hitting her then 1 year old father. Daughter Laura had written that her brother Ray had been told to go get the gun, there was a struggle between Ray and his father, and a shot went off (the one that almost hit Earl).
NEWS ARTICLE Iron River Reporter May 14 1940 "Hounds Follow Trail Of Huvila"
A sheriff's posse led by two bloodhounds beat through the bush north of the Homer location for hours yesterday in fruitless search for Albin Huvila, 40, Homer resident who terrorized his neighborhood with a gun early Sunday.
Sheriff Emery J. King believes Huvila fled from the district Sunday following his obstreperous conduct and is now out of the state.
Huvila and his wife returned Sunday morning from a party. He suddenly became angry and fired his rifle point blank at a wall. The charge narrowly missed his small son sleeping in the next room.
When Mrs. Huvila fled to the street, her husband held the rifle against his abdomen and threatened to pull the trigger if she did not return, the sheriff said. She dared him to do so, the officer reported, and raced to a neighbor's home.
LOSE SCENT The sheriff said Huvila, clad in his shirt and trousers and carrying the rifle and a hatful of shells, walked to a barn and entered the woods beyond. A deputy was stationed on guard at the home all night.
Since the fugitive was armed, the sheriff was unable to obtain CCC and WPA assistance in the search. Five deputies searched the brush on Sunday and yesterday at King's request, Sheriff Reindl of Menominee county sent two deputies with a pair of bloodhounds.
The dogs picked up the scent and followed Huvila's track into the brush for a half mile, only to lose it again and again. Finally the officers concluded that Huvila had left town.
"If Huvila were in that brush, the dogs would have found him," sheriff King said. Officers of the county and neighboring counties will be on the lookout for him.
NEWS ARTICLE Iron River Reporter May 17 1940 "Abandon Search For Homer Man"
Iron county officers have abandoned active search for Albin Huvila, 40, of the Homer location, who fled from his home Sunday morning following an altercation.
Bloodhounds Monday failed to follow his tracks through a half mile of brush country north of his home. Deputies beat through the surrounding area without success. Sheriff Emery King believes Huvila has left the district.
Returning with Mrs. Huvila after a party, Huvila declared he was not going to bed. He went upstairs to get his rifle and returned with five shells.
Mrs. Huvila denied a report that her husband had brandished the rifle menacingly and threated to take his life. She said a shot was fired accidentally when Huvila loaded the gun. The shell lodged in a sofa. Mrs. Huvila admitted her husband had taken "several drinks" at the party. He left the home with the gun and entered the woods nearby; officers led by Sheriff King and Undersheriff James Haydon were unable to trace him. Authorities were in search of a motive for his disappearance.
Sheriff King and Undersheriff Haydon were called to the brush area yesterday to search again for Huvila. They had been informed that crows were circling the brush. The officers found a pile of cattle entrails that had attracted the birds.
OBITUARY Iron River Reporter May 24 1940 "Find Body Of Homer Employe, Called Suicide"
Twelve days after he disappeared from home following a family argument, the body of Albin Huvila, 44, Homer miner, was found in a shallow pit a few feet from the sidewalk between the Homer and Forbes locations in Mineral Hills yesterday afternoon at 2:30 p.m.
Thomas Roberts, elderly resident of the village, stumbled upon the partly decomposed body as he walked through the bush.
The discovery was made in a thicket about 200 feet southwest of the Capt. Harry Sleeman home. Bloodhounds used in a careful hunt for Huvila May 18 passed 100 feet away but lost the track. The spot is about 500 feet northeast of the Huvila home.
Sheriff Emery King said Huvila apparently shot himself in the head with a 38-caliber rifle. The gun was found lying nearby. Coroner M.L. Fansher concurred with the sheriff in pronouncing Huvila a suicide. No inquest will be necessary.
FUNERAL SATURDAY The body was removed to the Stambaugh Funeral home. Funeral services will be held there on Saturday afternoon at 2:30 p.m. Attendants have informed friends of the family that the casket will remain closed and the body may not be viewed.
Huvila is survived by his wife and three children, a boy of 10, a girl, 6, and a baby [1940 census shows an additional daughter age 14].
According to the story told Sheriff King when he was summoned to lead the search for the missing man, Huvila disappeared from home early Sunday, May 12, following an altercation.
Mrs. Huvila, it was said, had suggested to her husband that they drive to Ironwood on Sunday afternoon to visit with her relatives. He, however, did not wish to plan the trip, saying he was tired and preferred to stay at home.
THREATENED SUICIDE King said Huvila returned home with his wife from a party and in a morose mood speculated that he might take his own life. An argument ensued and Huvila went upstairs to obtain his rifle; a shot was fired accidentally as he procured the gun. Mrs. Huvila ran out into the yard. Her husband followed her, the officer said, and placed the muzzle against his abdomen, threatening to pull the trigger. Hysterical, Mrs. Huvila told him to "go ahead if you dare" and she fled out of the yard to a neighbor's home. Her husband ran down the porch steps, gun in hand, and passed 10 feet from his fleeing wife as he hastened to a barn at the rear. He was not seen again. Officers with bloodhounds brought from Menominee the next day followed his tracks into the brush for a short distance. The posse beat through the woods for one-half mile around but without success.
The dogs led officers over a hill and around the thicket to the railroad track near the Sleeman home. There, the dogs veered down the track and missed the real trail which led to a shallow grave-like pit. The pit, dug by small boys for a hideout, was six feet long, four feet across and three feet deep. The pit is about 75 feet from the sidewalk which connects the two locations.
The elderly Roberts was startled to see the body in the pit. He rushed to tell Capt. Sleeman and Sheriff King was notified by telephone.
MICHIGAN DEATH CERTIFICATES 1921-1952 at familysearch.org for Albin Huvila says born July 6 1896 in Finland; died May 12 1940 in Mineral Hills MI age 43 married parents John Huvila & Wendla Heitala.
FUNERAL HOME RECORDS at Iron County Museum for Albin Huvila say born July 6 1896 in Finland; died May 12 1940 in Stambaugh Twp [incorrect-Mineral Hills] miner married age 43years 10months 6days parents John Huvila & Wendla Heitala wife Lempi suicide-rifle bullet wound behind left ear.
1940 US CENSUS for Mineral Hills Iron River Twp Iron County MI shows Albin Huvila head age 43 married born Finland abt 1897 last residence same house. Marie wife age 36 married born abt 1904 Michigan. Eleanore daughter age 14 born abt 1926 Michigan. Raymond son age 12 born abt 1928 Michigan. Laura daughter age 5 born abt 1935 Michigan. Duane son age 0 born abt 1940 Michigan.
1930 US CENSUS for Mineral Hills Iron County MI shows Albin H. Huvila head age 33 married born Finland abt 1897 immigrated 1923 parents both born Finland. Marie wife age 36 married born Michigan abt 1904 parents both born Finland. Elinor M. daughter age 4 born abt 1926 Michigan. Raymond H.K. son age 2 born abt 1928 Michigan. Parents born Finland & Michigan for both children.
INFORMATION FROM RELATIVE granddaughter Maureen Pinnell ([email protected]) of southern Illinois says the children were Eleanor Heft (12/3/25-4/3/2007) died Chicago, Raymond Kenneth (1/12/28-9/10/94) died Lake Mills WI, Earl Duane (5/13/39-10/27/2009) died Cleveland.
Albin had a sister Senia Sanna Liisa (Ruotsinkoski) Kiviniemi (8/21/1883 Alavus Finland-11/23/1973 Middlefield Cemetery, Ohio) who immigrated 1910 age 26. Her maiden name was Ruotsinkoski.
Daughter Eleanor was actually about age 15 when Albin died. She was born out of wedlock and it is unknown if Albin was her father. Daughter Laura lives 2015 in Ironwood.
She does not feel that Albin killed himself, but thinks the son Raymond killed him by accident while trying to help his mother, and the mother to whom he was always close tried to cover up the deed. Raymond was an angry person all his life. A miner who lived right next door to him said Albin was a very quiet and polite man.
INFORMATION FROM RELATIVE granddaughter Carol Huvila ([email protected]) of Minooka IL whose father was Albin's son Earl. Albin's parents never came to the US or Canada. He had a brother John who possibly married a Coralie in the early 1900's. Albin also has a sister Tyyne Huvila who remained in Finland. Albin came to Canada in 1916, and lived in Sudbury for 7 years. He crossed over by ferry to Sault Ste Marie on April 15 1923. From there, he was with a John Vesterbakka who had an ill brother in Ironwood, so both of them travelled there. Albin worked at Kimberly Clark in Marenisco, where he met Andreas Kapyaho, who introduced Albin to his daughter Lempi. Andrew and Lempi were married two years later. Not sure why they ended up in Iron River.
There are a lot of questions surrounding this whole situation, and many theories about Albin's death, with the main conclusion that he was killed by someone (Lempi? son Raymond? Lempi's brothers?) who made it look like suicide.
Through the family, she has heard plenty about Lempi and how she was. The night Albin was shot, they were at a party, drinking, dancing, and her grandmother was pretty promiscuous. She would bet that's how the fight started. Her father Earl said that even when he was growing up, she was bringing home different men all the time. Travelling to Ironwood the day after the party was probably her idea of making it up to him, but he didn't want to go. She thinks things got pretty rough in the Huvila household that night.
The cause of death was a bullet wound behind the left ear, which makes one wonder how he could have even managed to pull the trigger himself. There apparently was a struggle with the shotgun, and it went off inside the house nearly hitting her then 1 year old father. Daughter Laura had written that her brother Ray had been told to go get the gun, there was a struggle between Ray and his father, and a shot went off (the one that almost hit Earl).
Sister Senia Sanna Liisa (Ruotsinkoski) Kiviniemi immigrated 1910 age 26 (1894-1973)(#65600235)
NEWS ARTICLE Iron River Reporter May 14 1940 "Hounds Follow Trail Of Huvila"
A sheriff's posse led by two bloodhounds beat through the bush north of the Homer location for hours yesterday in fruitless search for Albin Huvila, 40, Homer resident who terrorized his neighborhood with a gun early Sunday.
Sheriff Emery J. King believes Huvila fled from the district Sunday following his obstreperous conduct and is now out of the state.
Huvila and his wife returned Sunday morning from a party. He suddenly became angry and fired his rifle point blank at a wall. The charge narrowly missed his small son sleeping in the next room.
When Mrs. Huvila fled to the street, her husband held the rifle against his abdomen and threatened to pull the trigger if she did not return, the sheriff said. She dared him to do so, the officer reported, and raced to a neighbor's home.
LOSE SCENT The sheriff said Huvila, clad in his shirt and trousers and carrying the rifle and a hatful of shells, walked to a barn and entered the woods beyond. A deputy was stationed on guard at the home all night.
Since the fugitive was armed, the sheriff was unable to obtain CCC and WPA assistance in the search. Five deputies searched the brush on Sunday and yesterday at King's request, Sheriff Reindl of Menominee county sent two deputies with a pair of bloodhounds.
The dogs picked up the scent and followed Huvila's track into the brush for a half mile, only to lose it again and again. Finally the officers concluded that Huvila had left town.
"If Huvila were in that brush, the dogs would have found him," sheriff King said. Officers of the county and neighboring counties will be on the lookout for him.
NEWS ARTICLE Iron River Reporter May 17 1940 "Abandon Search For Homer Man"
Iron county officers have abandoned active search for Albin Huvila, 40, of the Homer location, who fled from his home Sunday morning following an altercation.
Bloodhounds Monday failed to follow his tracks through a half mile of brush country north of his home. Deputies beat through the surrounding area without success. Sheriff Emery King believes Huvila has left the district.
Returning with Mrs. Huvila after a party, Huvila declared he was not going to bed. He went upstairs to get his rifle and returned with five shells.
Mrs. Huvila denied a report that her husband had brandished the rifle menacingly and threated to take his life. She said a shot was fired accidentally when Huvila loaded the gun. The shell lodged in a sofa. Mrs. Huvila admitted her husband had taken "several drinks" at the party. He left the home with the gun and entered the woods nearby; officers led by Sheriff King and Undersheriff James Haydon were unable to trace him. Authorities were in search of a motive for his disappearance.
Sheriff King and Undersheriff Haydon were called to the brush area yesterday to search again for Huvila. They had been informed that crows were circling the brush. The officers found a pile of cattle entrails that had attracted the birds.
OBITUARY Iron River Reporter May 24 1940 "Find Body Of Homer Employe, Called Suicide"
Twelve days after he disappeared from home following a family argument, the body of Albin Huvila, 44, Homer miner, was found in a shallow pit a few feet from the sidewalk between the Homer and Forbes locations in Mineral Hills yesterday afternoon at 2:30 p.m.
Thomas Roberts, elderly resident of the village, stumbled upon the partly decomposed body as he walked through the bush.
The discovery was made in a thicket about 200 feet southwest of the Capt. Harry Sleeman home. Bloodhounds used in a careful hunt for Huvila May 18 passed 100 feet away but lost the track. The spot is about 500 feet northeast of the Huvila home.
Sheriff Emery King said Huvila apparently shot himself in the head with a 38-caliber rifle. The gun was found lying nearby. Coroner M.L. Fansher concurred with the sheriff in pronouncing Huvila a suicide. No inquest will be necessary.
FUNERAL SATURDAY The body was removed to the Stambaugh Funeral home. Funeral services will be held there on Saturday afternoon at 2:30 p.m. Attendants have informed friends of the family that the casket will remain closed and the body may not be viewed.
Huvila is survived by his wife and three children, a boy of 10, a girl, 6, and a baby [1940 census shows an additional daughter age 14].
According to the story told Sheriff King when he was summoned to lead the search for the missing man, Huvila disappeared from home early Sunday, May 12, following an altercation.
Mrs. Huvila, it was said, had suggested to her husband that they drive to Ironwood on Sunday afternoon to visit with her relatives. He, however, did not wish to plan the trip, saying he was tired and preferred to stay at home.
THREATENED SUICIDE King said Huvila returned home with his wife from a party and in a morose mood speculated that he might take his own life. An argument ensued and Huvila went upstairs to obtain his rifle; a shot was fired accidentally as he procured the gun. Mrs. Huvila ran out into the yard. Her husband followed her, the officer said, and placed the muzzle against his abdomen, threatening to pull the trigger. Hysterical, Mrs. Huvila told him to "go ahead if you dare" and she fled out of the yard to a neighbor's home. Her husband ran down the porch steps, gun in hand, and passed 10 feet from his fleeing wife as he hastened to a barn at the rear. He was not seen again. Officers with bloodhounds brought from Menominee the next day followed his tracks into the brush for a short distance. The posse beat through the woods for one-half mile around but without success.
The dogs led officers over a hill and around the thicket to the railroad track near the Sleeman home. There, the dogs veered down the track and missed the real trail which led to a shallow grave-like pit. The pit, dug by small boys for a hideout, was six feet long, four feet across and three feet deep. The pit is about 75 feet from the sidewalk which connects the two locations.
The elderly Roberts was startled to see the body in the pit. He rushed to tell Capt. Sleeman and Sheriff King was notified by telephone.
MICHIGAN DEATH CERTIFICATES 1921-1952 at familysearch.org for Albin Huvila says born July 6 1896 in Finland; died May 12 1940 in Mineral Hills MI age 43 married parents John Huvila & Wendla Heitala.
FUNERAL HOME RECORDS at Iron County Museum for Albin Huvila say born July 6 1896 in Finland; died May 12 1940 in Stambaugh Twp [incorrect-Mineral Hills] miner married age 43years 10months 6days parents John Huvila & Wendla Heitala wife Lempi suicide-rifle bullet wound behind left ear.
1940 US CENSUS for Mineral Hills Iron River Twp Iron County MI shows Albin Huvila head age 43 married born Finland abt 1897 last residence same house. Marie wife age 36 married born abt 1904 Michigan. Eleanore daughter age 14 born abt 1926 Michigan. Raymond son age 12 born abt 1928 Michigan. Laura daughter age 5 born abt 1935 Michigan. Duane son age 0 born abt 1940 Michigan.
1930 US CENSUS for Mineral Hills Iron County MI shows Albin H. Huvila head age 33 married born Finland abt 1897 immigrated 1923 parents both born Finland. Marie wife age 36 married born Michigan abt 1904 parents both born Finland. Elinor M. daughter age 4 born abt 1926 Michigan. Raymond H.K. son age 2 born abt 1928 Michigan. Parents born Finland & Michigan for both children.
INFORMATION FROM RELATIVE granddaughter Maureen Pinnell ([email protected]) of southern Illinois says the children were Eleanor Heft (12/3/25-4/3/2007) died Chicago, Raymond Kenneth (1/12/28-9/10/94) died Lake Mills WI, Earl Duane (5/13/39-10/27/2009) died Cleveland.
Albin had a sister Senia Sanna Liisa (Ruotsinkoski) Kiviniemi (8/21/1883 Alavus Finland-11/23/1973 Middlefield Cemetery, Ohio) who immigrated 1910 age 26. Her maiden name was Ruotsinkoski.
Daughter Eleanor was actually about age 15 when Albin died. She was born out of wedlock and it is unknown if Albin was her father. Daughter Laura lives 2015 in Ironwood.
She does not feel that Albin killed himself, but thinks the son Raymond killed him by accident while trying to help his mother, and the mother to whom he was always close tried to cover up the deed. Raymond was an angry person all his life. A miner who lived right next door to him said Albin was a very quiet and polite man.
INFORMATION FROM RELATIVE granddaughter Carol Huvila ([email protected]) of Minooka IL whose father was Albin's son Earl. Albin's parents never came to the US or Canada. He had a brother John who possibly married a Coralie in the early 1900's. Albin also has a sister Tyyne Huvila who remained in Finland. Albin came to Canada in 1916, and lived in Sudbury for 7 years. He crossed over by ferry to Sault Ste Marie on April 15 1923. From there, he was with a John Vesterbakka who had an ill brother in Ironwood, so both of them travelled there. Albin worked at Kimberly Clark in Marenisco, where he met Andreas Kapyaho, who introduced Albin to his daughter Lempi. Andrew and Lempi were married two years later. Not sure why they ended up in Iron River.
There are a lot of questions surrounding this whole situation, and many theories about Albin's death, with the main conclusion that he was killed by someone (Lempi? son Raymond? Lempi's brothers?) who made it look like suicide.
Through the family, she has heard plenty about Lempi and how she was. The night Albin was shot, they were at a party, drinking, dancing, and her grandmother was pretty promiscuous. She would bet that's how the fight started. Her father Earl said that even when he was growing up, she was bringing home different men all the time. Travelling to Ironwood the day after the party was probably her idea of making it up to him, but he didn't want to go. She thinks things got pretty rough in the Huvila household that night.
The cause of death was a bullet wound behind the left ear, which makes one wonder how he could have even managed to pull the trigger himself. There apparently was a struggle with the shotgun, and it went off inside the house nearly hitting her then 1 year old father. Daughter Laura had written that her brother Ray had been told to go get the gun, there was a struggle between Ray and his father, and a shot went off (the one that almost hit Earl).
NEWS ARTICLE Iron River Reporter May 14 1940 "Hounds Follow Trail Of Huvila"
A sheriff's posse led by two bloodhounds beat through the bush north of the Homer location for hours yesterday in fruitless search for Albin Huvila, 40, Homer resident who terrorized his neighborhood with a gun early Sunday.
Sheriff Emery J. King believes Huvila fled from the district Sunday following his obstreperous conduct and is now out of the state.
Huvila and his wife returned Sunday morning from a party. He suddenly became angry and fired his rifle point blank at a wall. The charge narrowly missed his small son sleeping in the next room.
When Mrs. Huvila fled to the street, her husband held the rifle against his abdomen and threatened to pull the trigger if she did not return, the sheriff said. She dared him to do so, the officer reported, and raced to a neighbor's home.
LOSE SCENT The sheriff said Huvila, clad in his shirt and trousers and carrying the rifle and a hatful of shells, walked to a barn and entered the woods beyond. A deputy was stationed on guard at the home all night.
Since the fugitive was armed, the sheriff was unable to obtain CCC and WPA assistance in the search. Five deputies searched the brush on Sunday and yesterday at King's request, Sheriff Reindl of Menominee county sent two deputies with a pair of bloodhounds.
The dogs picked up the scent and followed Huvila's track into the brush for a half mile, only to lose it again and again. Finally the officers concluded that Huvila had left town.
"If Huvila were in that brush, the dogs would have found him," sheriff King said. Officers of the county and neighboring counties will be on the lookout for him.
NEWS ARTICLE Iron River Reporter May 17 1940 "Abandon Search For Homer Man"
Iron county officers have abandoned active search for Albin Huvila, 40, of the Homer location, who fled from his home Sunday morning following an altercation.
Bloodhounds Monday failed to follow his tracks through a half mile of brush country north of his home. Deputies beat through the surrounding area without success. Sheriff Emery King believes Huvila has left the district.
Returning with Mrs. Huvila after a party, Huvila declared he was not going to bed. He went upstairs to get his rifle and returned with five shells.
Mrs. Huvila denied a report that her husband had brandished the rifle menacingly and threated to take his life. She said a shot was fired accidentally when Huvila loaded the gun. The shell lodged in a sofa. Mrs. Huvila admitted her husband had taken "several drinks" at the party. He left the home with the gun and entered the woods nearby; officers led by Sheriff King and Undersheriff James Haydon were unable to trace him. Authorities were in search of a motive for his disappearance.
Sheriff King and Undersheriff Haydon were called to the brush area yesterday to search again for Huvila. They had been informed that crows were circling the brush. The officers found a pile of cattle entrails that had attracted the birds.
OBITUARY Iron River Reporter May 24 1940 "Find Body Of Homer Employe, Called Suicide"
Twelve days after he disappeared from home following a family argument, the body of Albin Huvila, 44, Homer miner, was found in a shallow pit a few feet from the sidewalk between the Homer and Forbes locations in Mineral Hills yesterday afternoon at 2:30 p.m.
Thomas Roberts, elderly resident of the village, stumbled upon the partly decomposed body as he walked through the bush.
The discovery was made in a thicket about 200 feet southwest of the Capt. Harry Sleeman home. Bloodhounds used in a careful hunt for Huvila May 18 passed 100 feet away but lost the track. The spot is about 500 feet northeast of the Huvila home.
Sheriff Emery King said Huvila apparently shot himself in the head with a 38-caliber rifle. The gun was found lying nearby. Coroner M.L. Fansher concurred with the sheriff in pronouncing Huvila a suicide. No inquest will be necessary.
FUNERAL SATURDAY The body was removed to the Stambaugh Funeral home. Funeral services will be held there on Saturday afternoon at 2:30 p.m. Attendants have informed friends of the family that the casket will remain closed and the body may not be viewed.
Huvila is survived by his wife and three children, a boy of 10, a girl, 6, and a baby [1940 census shows an additional daughter age 14].
According to the story told Sheriff King when he was summoned to lead the search for the missing man, Huvila disappeared from home early Sunday, May 12, following an altercation.
Mrs. Huvila, it was said, had suggested to her husband that they drive to Ironwood on Sunday afternoon to visit with her relatives. He, however, did not wish to plan the trip, saying he was tired and preferred to stay at home.
THREATENED SUICIDE King said Huvila returned home with his wife from a party and in a morose mood speculated that he might take his own life. An argument ensued and Huvila went upstairs to obtain his rifle; a shot was fired accidentally as he procured the gun. Mrs. Huvila ran out into the yard. Her husband followed her, the officer said, and placed the muzzle against his abdomen, threatening to pull the trigger. Hysterical, Mrs. Huvila told him to "go ahead if you dare" and she fled out of the yard to a neighbor's home. Her husband ran down the porch steps, gun in hand, and passed 10 feet from his fleeing wife as he hastened to a barn at the rear. He was not seen again. Officers with bloodhounds brought from Menominee the next day followed his tracks into the brush for a short distance. The posse beat through the woods for one-half mile around but without success.
The dogs led officers over a hill and around the thicket to the railroad track near the Sleeman home. There, the dogs veered down the track and missed the real trail which led to a shallow grave-like pit. The pit, dug by small boys for a hideout, was six feet long, four feet across and three feet deep. The pit is about 75 feet from the sidewalk which connects the two locations.
The elderly Roberts was startled to see the body in the pit. He rushed to tell Capt. Sleeman and Sheriff King was notified by telephone.
MICHIGAN DEATH CERTIFICATES 1921-1952 at familysearch.org for Albin Huvila says born July 6 1896 in Finland; died May 12 1940 in Mineral Hills MI age 43 married parents John Huvila & Wendla Heitala.
FUNERAL HOME RECORDS at Iron County Museum for Albin Huvila say born July 6 1896 in Finland; died May 12 1940 in Stambaugh Twp [incorrect-Mineral Hills] miner married age 43years 10months 6days parents John Huvila & Wendla Heitala wife Lempi suicide-rifle bullet wound behind left ear.
1940 US CENSUS for Mineral Hills Iron River Twp Iron County MI shows Albin Huvila head age 43 married born Finland abt 1897 last residence same house. Marie wife age 36 married born abt 1904 Michigan. Eleanore daughter age 14 born abt 1926 Michigan. Raymond son age 12 born abt 1928 Michigan. Laura daughter age 5 born abt 1935 Michigan. Duane son age 0 born abt 1940 Michigan.
1930 US CENSUS for Mineral Hills Iron County MI shows Albin H. Huvila head age 33 married born Finland abt 1897 immigrated 1923 parents both born Finland. Marie wife age 36 married born Michigan abt 1904 parents both born Finland. Elinor M. daughter age 4 born abt 1926 Michigan. Raymond H.K. son age 2 born abt 1928 Michigan. Parents born Finland & Michigan for both children.
INFORMATION FROM RELATIVE granddaughter Maureen Pinnell ([email protected]) of southern Illinois says the children were Eleanor Heft (12/3/25-4/3/2007) died Chicago, Raymond Kenneth (1/12/28-9/10/94) died Lake Mills WI, Earl Duane (5/13/39-10/27/2009) died Cleveland.
Albin had a sister Senia Sanna Liisa (Ruotsinkoski) Kiviniemi (8/21/1883 Alavus Finland-11/23/1973 Middlefield Cemetery, Ohio) who immigrated 1910 age 26. Her maiden name was Ruotsinkoski.
Daughter Eleanor was actually about age 15 when Albin died. She was born out of wedlock and it is unknown if Albin was her father. Daughter Laura lives 2015 in Ironwood.
She does not feel that Albin killed himself, but thinks the son Raymond killed him by accident while trying to help his mother, and the mother to whom he was always close tried to cover up the deed. Raymond was an angry person all his life. A miner who lived right next door to him said Albin was a very quiet and polite man.
INFORMATION FROM RELATIVE granddaughter Carol Huvila ([email protected]) of Minooka IL whose father was Albin's son Earl. Albin's parents never came to the US or Canada. He had a brother John who possibly married a Coralie in the early 1900's. Albin also has a sister Tyyne Huvila who remained in Finland. Albin came to Canada in 1916, and lived in Sudbury for 7 years. He crossed over by ferry to Sault Ste Marie on April 15 1923. From there, he was with a John Vesterbakka who had an ill brother in Ironwood, so both of them travelled there. Albin worked at Kimberly Clark in Marenisco, where he met Andreas Kapyaho, who introduced Albin to his daughter Lempi. Andrew and Lempi were married two years later. Not sure why they ended up in Iron River.
There are a lot of questions surrounding this whole situation, and many theories about Albin's death, with the main conclusion that he was killed by someone (Lempi? son Raymond? Lempi's brothers?) who made it look like suicide.
Through the family, she has heard plenty about Lempi and how she was. The night Albin was shot, they were at a party, drinking, dancing, and her grandmother was pretty promiscuous. She would bet that's how the fight started. Her father Earl said that even when he was growing up, she was bringing home different men all the time. Travelling to Ironwood the day after the party was probably her idea of making it up to him, but he didn't want to go. She thinks things got pretty rough in the Huvila household that night.
The cause of death was a bullet wound behind the left ear, which makes one wonder how he could have even managed to pull the trigger himself. There apparently was a struggle with the shotgun, and it went off inside the house nearly hitting her then 1 year old father. Daughter Laura had written that her brother Ray had been told to go get the gun, there was a struggle between Ray and his father, and a shot went off (the one that almost hit Earl).
Gravesite Details
Marker was placed May 2016 by granddaughter Maureen Huvila Pinnell. Headstone was placed 2021 by granddaughter Maureen Huvila Pinnell
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