Many miners working in the iron industry were immigrants. Records from companies such as Witherbee & Sherman show countries of origin for many workers. Miners emigrated from Ireland, Hungary, Poland, Russia, Italy, Lithuania, Austria, and Canada.

These men worked long hours, usually ten to twelve hour shifts for six days a week. They were paid poorly, often in company scrip for working in the dangerous conditions. The ups and downs of the iron industry affected the workers directly. When business was bad, miners often faced reduced wages or loss of jobs.