"Big Louie" was believed to be the tallest man in the U.S. during his life, measuring 8'4" and weighing 560 lbs. He worked in the area mines as a boy and traveled with the Barnum & Baily Circus. His excessive height caused his body to outgrow its own ability to function normally and caused his death at a young age.
Iron Mountain (Mich.) Daily News (date unknown)
"Legend of Big Louie: You Could Fit a Half-Dollar Inside U.P. Giant's Ring"
HOUGHTON (AP) - Evidence remains of the Copper Country's biggest legend.
When "Big Louie" Moilanen died in 1913, few people would have imagined that the Copper Country giant would be almost forgotten today.
Louis Moilanen was born in Finland in 1885. When he was 4, his parents, Louis Moilanen and the former Annie Rykkenen, came to the U.S. and settled on a 40-acre farm in Salo, near Boston Location. Salo was then known as Demmon.
It is said that Louie was as tall as an average man at age 9 and measured 6-foot-5. Sources say his mother was around 4 feet tall and his father was only of average height. Siblings, a brother and two sisters, were normal size.
Louie's actual height is a source of some controversy. What little documentation exists gives heights ranging from 7-foot-9 to 8-foot-4.
The reality is probably somewhere in between.
The most believable figures come from the undertaker. Louie's height was listed at 8-1. His weight was listed at 400 pounds.
His headstone at Hancock's Lakeside Cemetery claims Moilanen was two inches taller and weighed 560 pounds.
Moilanen worked underground in the Franklin Mine for almost two years. Local historian Wilbert Maki said Moilanen was given the job of hauling timbers to shore up the mine, usually a three-man job. Louie reportedly carried two himself.
Despite his strength, it was said he had weak nerves and was apt to fall at the slightest push or when off balance. Doctors also said his heart was too small for his body.
Several sources have said....... (rest of article missing)
Iron Mountain (Mich.) Daily News (date unknown)
"Legend of Big Louie: You Could Fit a Half-Dollar Inside U.P. Giant's Ring"
HOUGHTON (AP) - Evidence remains of the Copper Country's biggest legend.
When "Big Louie" Moilanen died in 1913, few people would have imagined that the Copper Country giant would be almost forgotten today.
Louis Moilanen was born in Finland in 1885. When he was 4, his parents, Louis Moilanen and the former Annie Rykkenen, came to the U.S. and settled on a 40-acre farm in Salo, near Boston Location. Salo was then known as Demmon.
It is said that Louie was as tall as an average man at age 9 and measured 6-foot-5. Sources say his mother was around 4 feet tall and his father was only of average height. Siblings, a brother and two sisters, were normal size.
Louie's actual height is a source of some controversy. What little documentation exists gives heights ranging from 7-foot-9 to 8-foot-4.
The reality is probably somewhere in between.
The most believable figures come from the undertaker. Louie's height was listed at 8-1. His weight was listed at 400 pounds.
His headstone at Hancock's Lakeside Cemetery claims Moilanen was two inches taller and weighed 560 pounds.
Moilanen worked underground in the Franklin Mine for almost two years. Local historian Wilbert Maki said Moilanen was given the job of hauling timbers to shore up the mine, usually a three-man job. Louie reportedly carried two himself.
Despite his strength, it was said he had weak nerves and was apt to fall at the slightest push or when off balance. Doctors also said his heart was too small for his body.
Several sources have said....... (rest of article missing)
"Big Louie" was believed to be the tallest man in the U.S. during his life, measuring 8'4" and weighing 560 lbs. He worked in the area mines as a boy and traveled with the Barnum & Baily Circus. His excessive height caused his body to outgrow its own ability to function normally and caused his death at a young age.
Iron Mountain (Mich.) Daily News (date unknown)
"Legend of Big Louie: You Could Fit a Half-Dollar Inside U.P. Giant's Ring"
HOUGHTON (AP) - Evidence remains of the Copper Country's biggest legend.
When "Big Louie" Moilanen died in 1913, few people would have imagined that the Copper Country giant would be almost forgotten today.
Louis Moilanen was born in Finland in 1885. When he was 4, his parents, Louis Moilanen and the former Annie Rykkenen, came to the U.S. and settled on a 40-acre farm in Salo, near Boston Location. Salo was then known as Demmon.
It is said that Louie was as tall as an average man at age 9 and measured 6-foot-5. Sources say his mother was around 4 feet tall and his father was only of average height. Siblings, a brother and two sisters, were normal size.
Louie's actual height is a source of some controversy. What little documentation exists gives heights ranging from 7-foot-9 to 8-foot-4.
The reality is probably somewhere in between.
The most believable figures come from the undertaker. Louie's height was listed at 8-1. His weight was listed at 400 pounds.
His headstone at Hancock's Lakeside Cemetery claims Moilanen was two inches taller and weighed 560 pounds.
Moilanen worked underground in the Franklin Mine for almost two years. Local historian Wilbert Maki said Moilanen was given the job of hauling timbers to shore up the mine, usually a three-man job. Louie reportedly carried two himself.
Despite his strength, it was said he had weak nerves and was apt to fall at the slightest push or when off balance. Doctors also said his heart was too small for his body.
Several sources have said....... (rest of article missing)
Iron Mountain (Mich.) Daily News (date unknown)
"Legend of Big Louie: You Could Fit a Half-Dollar Inside U.P. Giant's Ring"
HOUGHTON (AP) - Evidence remains of the Copper Country's biggest legend.
When "Big Louie" Moilanen died in 1913, few people would have imagined that the Copper Country giant would be almost forgotten today.
Louis Moilanen was born in Finland in 1885. When he was 4, his parents, Louis Moilanen and the former Annie Rykkenen, came to the U.S. and settled on a 40-acre farm in Salo, near Boston Location. Salo was then known as Demmon.
It is said that Louie was as tall as an average man at age 9 and measured 6-foot-5. Sources say his mother was around 4 feet tall and his father was only of average height. Siblings, a brother and two sisters, were normal size.
Louie's actual height is a source of some controversy. What little documentation exists gives heights ranging from 7-foot-9 to 8-foot-4.
The reality is probably somewhere in between.
The most believable figures come from the undertaker. Louie's height was listed at 8-1. His weight was listed at 400 pounds.
His headstone at Hancock's Lakeside Cemetery claims Moilanen was two inches taller and weighed 560 pounds.
Moilanen worked underground in the Franklin Mine for almost two years. Local historian Wilbert Maki said Moilanen was given the job of hauling timbers to shore up the mine, usually a three-man job. Louie reportedly carried two himself.
Despite his strength, it was said he had weak nerves and was apt to fall at the slightest push or when off balance. Doctors also said his heart was too small for his body.
Several sources have said....... (rest of article missing)
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Advertisement
