Milford Mine Memorial Park near Wolford in Crow Wing County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Milford Miners Memorial
Cunningham–Harte
Photographed by McGhiever, June 27, 2025
1. Milford Miners Memorial Marker
Inscription.
Milford Miners Memorial. Cunningham–Harte.
Roy J. Cunningham 1890-1924. Roy Cunningham was 33 years old when he lost his life in the Milford Mine disaster. He was born in Illinois. He moved to the Cuyuna Iron Range and married Effie Thomson, whose father had an investment in the Thomson Mine. When he worked at the Milford Mine, Roy and Effie lived in the nearby town of Manganese with their son and two daughters. At the time of the Milford Mine disaster Effie was 38 years old. Their children were 13, 11 and 19 months. Roy Cunningham was laid to rest at Lakewood Cemetery in Crosby, Minnesota.,
Minor Graves 1873-1924. Minor Graves was born in Michigan. He married Margaret Palmer and they had six children. The Graves family lived in the nearby town of Manganese. At the time of the Milford Mine disaster Minor was 51 years old and Margaret was 44. Their sons were 22 and 19, and their daughters were 14, 12, 10 and 6 years old. Minor Graves was laid to rest at Lakewood Cemetery in Crosby, Minnesota.,
Clinton A. Harris 1891-1924. Clinton Harris was born in St. Mathias Township, Crow Wing County, Minnesota. On February 5, 1924 Clinton substituted for Harvey Rice, the day shift skip tender, so Harvey could work the night shift for that crew's skip tender, who was ill. When water rushed in, Clinton pulled the rope to sound the whistle for the hoist operator, but the flood of water and mud was too fast for the operation of the cage. Although the water rose to 15 feet from the surface, the whistle continued to sound for four hours. When Clinton's body was recovered the whistle rope was wrapped around him. His fellow miners note that he could have escaped, but stayed to prepare the cage and sound the alarm. Clinton Harris was single, and was 32 years old when he lost his life in the Milford Mine flood. He was laid to rest in Brainerd, Minnesota.,
Fred Harte 1890-1924. Frederick W. Harte was born in Germany in 1890. He married Emilie Hohn and the couple lived in Crosby with their infant son, who was just 8 days old at the time of the Milford Mine disaster. Fred was 33 years old. Fred was one of the last miners to be found in the flooded mine. He and his long-time friend and work partner, Frank Hrvatin Sr, were found together. "Partners in death, as well as in life" recalled neighbor Elsie Moorers. Frederick W. Harte was laid to rest in Duluth, Minnesota. Emilie, who was 25, moved to Duluth with her infant son, Frederick Jr.
Roy J. Cunningham
1890-1924
Roy Cunningham was 33 years old when he lost his life in the Milford Mine disaster. He was born in Illinois. He moved to the Cuyuna Iron Range and married Effie Thomson, whose father had an investment in the Thomson Mine. When he worked at the Milford Mine, Roy and Effie lived in the nearby town of Manganese with their son and two daughters. At the time of the Milford Mine disaster Effie was 38 years old. Their children were 13, 11 and 19 months. Roy Cunningham was laid to rest at Lakewood Cemetery in Crosby, Minnesota.
Minor Graves
1873-1924
Minor Graves was born in Michigan. He married Margaret Palmer and they had six children. The Graves family lived in the nearby town of Manganese. At the time of the Milford Mine disaster Minor was 51 years old and Margaret was 44. Their sons were 22 and 19, and their daughters were 14, 12, 10 and 6 years old. Minor Graves was laid to rest at Lakewood Cemetery in Crosby, Minnesota.
Clinton A. Harris
1891-1924
Clinton Harris was born in St. Mathias Township, Crow Wing County, Minnesota. On February 5, 1924 Clinton substituted for Harvey Rice,
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the day shift skip tender, so Harvey could work the night shift for that crew's skip tender, who was ill. When water rushed in, Clinton pulled the rope to sound the whistle for the hoist operator, but the flood of water and mud was too fast for the operation of the cage. Although the water rose to 15 feet from the surface, the whistle continued to sound for four hours. When Clinton's body was recovered the whistle rope was wrapped around him. His fellow miners note that he could have escaped, but stayed to prepare the cage and sound the alarm. Clinton Harris was single, and was 32 years old when he lost his life in the Milford Mine flood. He was laid to rest in Brainerd, Minnesota.
Fred Harte
1890-1924
Frederick W. Harte was born in Germany in 1890. He married Emilie Hohn and the couple lived in Crosby with their infant son, who was just 8 days old at the time of the Milford Mine disaster. Fred was 33 years old. Fred was one of the last miners to be found in the flooded mine. He and his long-time friend and work partner, Frank Hrvatin Sr, were found together. "Partners in death, as well as in life" recalled neighbor Elsie Moorers.
Photographed by McGhiever, June 27, 2025
2. Cunningham–Harte Marker (third closest) in Milford Mine Memorial Park
Frederick W. Harte was laid to rest in Duluth, Minnesota. Emilie, who was 25, moved to Duluth with her infant son, Frederick Jr.
Erected by Crow Wing County.
Topics. This historical marker and memorial is listed in this topic list: Disasters. A significant historical date for this entry is February 5, 1924.
Location. 46° 32.098′ N, 93° 58.245′ W. Marker is near Wolford, Minnesota, in Crow Wing County. It is in Milford Mine Memorial Park. It can be reached from Milford Lake Drive. The marker is between trail intersections 2 and 4. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Crosby MN 56441, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker and memorial is in Minnesota’s Northland. It is also in the American Midwest, in the Corn Belt, and in the Great River Road Region. Globally, it is in North America, the Great North Woods, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once Rupert’s Land, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, and the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: A different marker also named Milford Miners Memorial (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Milford Miners Memorial (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Milford Miners Memorial (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Milford Miners Memorial (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Milford Miners Memorial (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Milford Miners Memorial (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Milford Miners Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Timber Shaft (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Wolford.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 14, 2026. It was originally submitted on December 9, 2025, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota. This page has been viewed 74 times since then and 43 times this year. Photos:1. submitted on December 9, 2025, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota. 2. submitted on November 27, 2025, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota.
