When Lumber Was Gold
by
Book Cover & Preview Text
Searching for Matthew Bell
Trudging through the rough cut grass
What drove him so
The youngest of his father's sons
With England far behind
He was in Peterborough Ontario
He was in Michigan
as a light rain fell
armed with a map and a purpose
to find Matthew Bell.
what pushed him forward
so many places so many years
so many miles from home?
the only one to leave
journeying across the ocean
rejecting the known
in favor of the unknown
in the company of others
who like himself
sought a better life.
the wilderness lay vast
beckoning
with all its possibilities.
when the British cleared the land
a tailor
in the burgeoning village of Norwood
then a sawmill operator
amid the virgin timber
of Dummer Township
in the company of others
who like himself
sought a better life.
when all that was lumber was gold
working as a teamster
in the thriving city of Saginaw
during its' days of glory
in the company of others
who like himself
sought a better life.
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Book Details
About the Book
Take a journey to the past. Immerse yourself in the pioneering spirit of real people, who carved lives out of the Michigan landscape during the Lumbering Era (mid 1800's to early 1900's). It was a time when lumber was as good as gold. Lumber barons built empires and mansions, while immigrant peasants labored to build better lives. When Lumber Was Gold is a compelling collection of twenty historical narratives. They offer readers an intimate view of common, yet rarely discussed experiences; events and struggles of individuals and families during the settling of the rural midwest. Vivid imagery is brought to life, by emotionally charged poetic verse; infused with highly evocative, often deeply personal insights and anecdotes.
About the Author
Renee J. Brown is a 6th generation Michiganian. She has been housebound due to illness since 1994. She composes and edits entirely in her head, as her energy levels often prevent her from writing more than a couple of lines of text per day. The background research for this book was done prior to her convalescence, and was referenced from memory. Renee has a B.S. from Central Michigan University and attended graduate school at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville. She has published two book length genealogies, as well as articles in historical and genealogical society journals. Her narratives have been featured in literary publications and online poetry journals. She is a member of the International Women's Writing Guild. An accomplished artist and photographer; Renee had a month long exhibition of photography and verse in the Healing Arts Gallery of the MidMichigan Medical Center in Midland, Michigan. "Ticket to Yesterday" showcased historic Michigan railroad depots. Other original photographs and paintings by Renee, have appeared in the Great Lakes Regional Art Exhibition at the Midland Center for the Arts in Midland, Michigan; as well as in arts fairs and exhibitions throughout the state.