Frank Orin Barden was born on February 3, 1876 in a log cabin on his parents farm in Crockery Township, Michigan. learned a good hard work ethic helping with the family farm, but then, took off at an early age to work as a lumberjack at lumber camps around Michigan. received business training at Davenport Institute in Grand Rapids. He worked for the Michigan Trust Company and was commissioned, in
1916, to reorganize the Boyne City Railroad and Boyne Lumber Company and in 1922 opened F.O. In 1936 the youngest son Al came on board and worked with his father until 1951 when F.O. Al ran the company until he semi-retired in 1975. Barden & Sons have survived two fires, one in 1969 that destroyed only part of the building but the one in 1979 was a total loss. F.O.’s grandson Ed Barden and his son Paul are at the helm and still providing the same helpful, courteous service and expertise to area builders and home owners.
