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Information about local orchestras sought

Leonard Doto and His Musical Mountaineers of Iron Mountain, which probably performed in the 1920s and 1930s. Identification of the orchestra members, approximate date of the photographs and any additional information is sought. instruments, from left, include: trumpet 1, tuba, banjo, drums (identified as Joe Conery), saxophone and clarinet 1, trombone, saxophone and clarinet 2, piano and trumpet 2. ).

IRON MOUNTAIN — The above three photographs of Iron Mountain orchestras probably date between 1920 and the end of the 1930s or early 1940s. Hopefully readers will be able to identify these musicians and provide additional information.

Robert Joseph Baldrica, son of Natale and Letzia (Tomassoni) Baldrica, was born in Iron Mountain on June 1, 1897, and died here on April 27, 1947. He married Mary Anna Frankovic, daughter of Louis and Anna Mary (Skruvani) Frankovic, born in Iron Mountain in 1899, on May 11, 1918, in Iron Mountain. Mary Baldrica died in 1980. Both are buried in Iron Mountain Cemetery Park.

Robert worked as a clerk at the ‘Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Depot. He was secretary of the Dickinson County Musicians Union for 15 years and was the founder of the orchestra known as Bob’s Nighthawks, which had been active the 15 years prior to his death in 1947.

Leonard Doto, son of Joseph and Filomena (Marecas) Doto, was born in Italy in 1898 and died in January 1968, in Deerfield Beach, Fla. He married Hildred A. Laycock, daughter of Charles and Olive (Champs) Laycock, on January 19, 1918, in Iron Mountain. Leonard was listed as a laborer and Hildred as a waitress on the marriage record at the Dickinson County Court House.

Hildred was born in Daggett, on November 5, 1898, and died in Peshtigo, Wis. in March 1987. Leonard and Hildred Doto are buried in Southfield, Mich.

Instruments, from left, include: trombone, tuba, trumpet and French horn 1, trumpet and French horn 2, drums (probably Joe Conery), banjo and violin, piano, saxophone and clarinet 1, saxophone, saxophone, saxophone and clarinets 2, saxophone and clarinets 3. ). Please contact Bill Cummings at 906-774-4814 if you can provide information on any of the photographs.

Leonard was listed as working for the Ford Motor Company in the 1935 city directory.

The Michigan Nite-Hawks Orchestra of Iron Mountain was directed by Leonard Doto and managed by Robert Baldrica. This is an unused postcard photograph. The Michigan Nite-Hawks probably were performing in the 1920s and 1930s. Identification of the orchestra members, approximate date of the photograph and any additional information is sought. Instruments, left to right, include: trumpet, trumpet and French horn, violin and banjo, drums, saxophone and clarinet, saxophone and two clairnets, piano and accordion (possibly Robert Baldrica).

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