Andrew Rian family in front of the Rian Hotel in Metropolitan (now Felch)

Andrew Rian Family in Wagon in Front of Rian Hotel, Metropolitan/Felch, Felch Township, Dickinson County, Michigan, ca. 1902: The Andrew Rian family posed for the photographer in front of the Rian Hotel in Metropolitan (now Felch) in their three-seated wagon in about 1902. Olaf, Anna and Minnie Rian are seated in the front seat. Mr. and Mrs. Andrew (Anna Beseth) Rian are seated in the middle with Gilbert. Mr. and Mrs. Martin (Mary Beseth) Rian are seated in the back seat. Andrew Rian and Martin Rian were not related, although both came from Borsa, Trondheim, Norway. Andrew’s first wife, Anna (Rosvold) Rian, died on October 29, 1899, before the construction of the new house which was also the hotel was completed. Note the turned posts and spindles used to form railings and decoration on the hotel’s porch and balcony. Andrew Rian married Anna Beseth about a year later. She was also born in Borsen, Trondheim, Norway, and came to Felch with her sister Mary Beseth in May, 1900. In 1906 Andrew Rian had a blacksmikth shop built and hired a blacksmith to work there. (Blacksmiths who worked in the Rian Blacksmith Shop included Olaf Pearson, Alfred Pearson, Joseph Louris, Louis Byers, Andrew Engelquist, and Alphonse LaLlonde.) In 1907 an addition was built onto the hotel. Teachers boarded there, as well as workmen. In July, 1912, a foundation was started for a new store which was finished in May, 1913. The Rians moved into the new store on May 19, 1913. Andrew Rian also built a creamery in 1913, and then built a larger one in 1928. (Buttermakers who worked at the creamery included Mr. Buck and Christian HJochumsen, who began work in February, 1925, coming from Bark River, Michigan.) Andrew Rian also had logging camps. Martin Rian was foreman for many years, but was not a relative, although he also came from Norway, Europe. [John Aune]