Milford Mine Memorial Park near Wolford in Crow Wing County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Milford Miners Memorial
Toljan–Valencich
Photographed by McGhiever, June 27, 2025
1. Milford Miners Memorial Marker
Inscription.
Milford Miners Memorial. Toljan–Valencich.
Marko Toljan 1884 - 1924. Marko Toljan was born in Austria. He emigrated to the United States and worked as a miner on the Cuyuna Range for several years before marrying Maggie Matosic in 1923. Maggie had four children from a previous marriage, and the newly-formed Toljan family lived in Crosby at the time of the Milford Mine disaster. Marko was 39 years old when he lost his life in the mine. Maggie was 26, and the children were 8, 6, 4 and 3 years old. Marko Toljan was laid to rest at Lakewood Cemetery in Crosby, Minnesota.,
Mike Tomac (Mike Thomas) 1880-1924. Mike Tomac, also known to his fellow miners as Mike Thomas, was born in Austria. He married Annie Minerich and the couple lived in the town of Manganese, near the Milford Mine. Mike was a member of the Slavonic National Benefit Society. At the time of his death Mike was 43 years old, and Annie was 38. Mike Tomac was laid to rest at Lakewood Cemetery in Crosby, Minnesota.,
Martin Valencich 1898-1924. Martin Valencich was born in Yugoslavia. He came to the United States in 1910 to work as a miner on the Vermilion Iron Range. In 1922 Martin moved to the Cuyuna Iron Range and began his work at the Milford Mine. He married Annie Rooni, and the couple had their home in Crosby. At the time of the Milford Mine disaster Martin was 26 years old and Annie was 24. Their first child was born shortly after Martin lost his life in the mine. Martin Valencich was laid to rest at Lakewood Cemetery in Crosby, Minnesota.
Marko Toljan
1884 - 1924
Marko Toljan was born in Austria. He emigrated to the United States and worked as a miner on the Cuyuna Range for several years before marrying Maggie Matosic in 1923. Maggie had four children from a previous marriage, and the newly-formed Toljan family lived in Crosby at the time of the Milford Mine disaster. Marko was 39 years old when he lost his life in the mine. Maggie was 26, and the children were 8, 6, 4 and 3 years old. Marko Toljan was laid to rest at Lakewood Cemetery in Crosby, Minnesota.
Mike Tomac
(Mike Thomas)
1880-1924
Mike Tomac, also known to his fellow miners as Mike Thomas, was born in Austria. He married Annie Minerich and the couple lived in the town of Manganese, near the Milford Mine. Mike was a member of the Slavonic National Benefit Society. At the time of his death Mike was 43 years old, and Annie was 38. Mike Tomac was laid to rest at Lakewood Cemetery in Crosby, Minnesota.
Martin Valencich
1898-1924
Martin Valencich was born in Yugoslavia. He came to the United States in 1910 to work as a miner on the Vermilion Iron Range. In 1922 Martin moved to the Cuyuna
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Iron Range and began his work at the Milford Mine. He married Annie Rooni, and the couple had their home in Crosby. At the time of the Milford Mine disaster Martin was 26 years old and Annie was 24. Their first child was born shortly after Martin lost his life in the mine. Martin Valencich was laid to rest at Lakewood Cemetery in Crosby, Minnesota.
Erected by Crow Wing County.
Topics. This historical marker and memorial is listed in these topic lists: Disasters • Immigration. A significant historical date for this entry is February 5, 1924.
Location. 46° 32.094′ N, 93° 58.212′ 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 near trail intersection #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
Photographed by McGhiever, June 27, 2025
2. Toljan–Valencich Marker (second closest) in Milford Mine Memorial Park
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 (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Milford Miners Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Milford Miners Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Wolford.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 3, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 3, 2026, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota. This page has been viewed 9 times since then. Photos:1. submitted on May 3, 2026, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota. 2. submitted on March 29, 2026, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota.
