This collection is made up of 25 incoming letters, one incoming telegram, and two notices to lumber company foreman George Darling of Trufant, Michigan. He worked for the Metropolitan Lumber Company in Atkinson, Michigan, in the 1890s and 1900s. During that time, he received communications offering him foreman positions, attesting to his skill as a supervisor, recommending and following up on his 1898 stint at Usal Creek, California, informing him about labor issues, and updating him on the progress of lumber camps in Iron County, Michigan.
The collection includes printed letterheads for the "Metropolitan Lumber Co. LANDS, LOGS and LUMBER", Atkinson, Michigan (two versions, one illustrated); "The A. M. Harmon Lumber Company, LIMITED", Foster City, Michigan; "THE MICHIGAN TRUST CO.", Grand Rapids, Michigan; "OFFICE OF THE WHITE & FRIANT LUMBER COMPANY", Grand Rapids, Michigan (illustrated); "Golden Eagle Hotel", Sacramento, California (illustrated); "HOTEL BUTLER EUROPEAN", Seattle, Washington; OFFICE OF J. K. STACK", Escanaba, Michigan; "County of Montcalm, PROBATE OFFICE", Stanton, Michigan; and "The Bank of Escanaba", Escanaba, Michigan.
George Darling (1853-1932) worked for the Metropolitan Lumber Company of Atkinson, Iron County, Michigan in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as foreman, driver, and speculator. He retired to farm life in Montcalm, Michigan, before his death in 1832. George Darling married Roxalina (also known as Roxy or Roxa) Van Brocklin (1863-1955) on September 8, 1886, and they had at least four children, Lee C. Darling (1888-1973), Grace Darling Keppner (1890-1971), Sarah Darling (b. ca. 1893), and George Darling, Jr. (1905-1966). George and Roxa Darling are buried in Trufant Cemetery in Montcalm County, Michigan.