The Maitland home on the corner of Main Street and Healy Avenue in the city of Negaunee was torn down in the 1950s. (Photo courtesy of the Negaunee Historical Society)

NEGAUNEE — We received some articles from the Maitland family and in there was this note written to Alexander Maitland from his friend Timothy Titcomb, of VanBuren County, Michigan, titled “Too Good to Lose.”

A cute read for Valentines Day. If you should ever get married “Mait” I’ll tell you what to do. Go get a little tenement just big enough for two! And one spare room for company, and one bed within it. And if you begin loves life aright, you’ll better thus begin it.

In furniture be moderate Mait, and let the stuffed chairs wait. One looking glass will do you both, yourself and loving mate and brussels too and other things which make a fine appearance. If you can better afford it they will look better hence.

Some think they must have pictures Mait, superb and costly too. Your wife will be a picture Mait, let that suffice for you. Remember how the wise man said, a tent and love within it, is better than a splendid house with bickering every minute. And one word is to cooking Mait, your wife can do that best, for love to make the biscuit rise is far better than yeast.

No matter if each day you don’t bring turkey to your table, twill be better relished by and by when you are better able. For all you buy, pay money Mait, money that every day; If you would have your life run smooth there is no better way. A note to pay is an ugly thing, if a thing is what you call it, when it hangs over a man who has no money in his wallet. And now when you are married Mait don’t try to ape the rich;it took them many a toilsome year to gain their envied niche. And if you should gain the summit Mait, look well to your beginning, and then will all your win repay the toil and care of winning. Alexander Maitland was born in Scotland in 1844 and came to Negaunee in 1864 making his home in Negaunee.

He did okay for himself. He secured a position as a rodman with a surveying party which was running lines for the Minerals branch of the Chicago Northwestern railroad.

Alexander Maitland was credited for the discovery of high grade ore in Richmond Township, resulting in the opening of the Volunteer mine, the Richmond, the Cascade, the Maitland and the first Empire mine.

He entered into the employment of Cleveland Cliffs becoming the general manager. He had an interest in four national banks. In politics he was a Republican, having held the office of Lieutenant Governor. He was the county surveyor, mayor of the city of Negaunee.

He married Miss Carrie Sterling in 1874 and had five children. His home located on the corner of Main Street and Healy Avenue was more than a tenement for two.

It was demolished in the 1950s when the homes were being moved from the east end.