While doing some reading about John Muir at his home, I discovered how he left home at the age of 22, much to the discouragement of his father. He started his journey of independence after he found out about entering his inventions in the Wisconsin State Fair in Madison, Wisconsin, from his friend William Duncan. He went to the fair to show his two inventions, an early rising machine and a time saving device so he could have more time to toil among the crooks and crevices of the farm. His inventions were so popular at the fair that a local newspaper wrote that Muir was a "Prodigy in the art of whittling" and that his inventions were "executed by genuine genius." While at the fair he met another inventor who offered him an apprentice. This is how he found his way to the Prairie Du Chien owned by Peltons, who owned the hotel, and proved to be hugely influential to Muir.
I discovered a paper written by Nicole Miller from the University of Wisconsin at Madison, and I highly recommend reading it to discover Muir's amazing beginnings! The more I learn about Muir, the more I am in awe of him and the contributions he made!
Resources:
John Muir's Birthday
Earth Day Celebration
Saturday, April 26, 2014
John Muir Historic Site
4202 Alhambra Avenue
Martinez, CA
This event is free
John Muir, Wisconsin, and the Pelton Family
1860-1861
by Nicole Miller
History 489
Capstone Advisor, Dr. Jane Peterson
minds.wisconsin.edu/bitstream/handle/1793/46837/Miller.pdf?
published by the McIntyre Library
University of Wisconsin
(I would recommend this paper to be read by parents or high school students before visiting the John Muir House. The Peltons are talked about quite a bit, and I was fascinated to discover how he met these wonderful friends and mentors.)
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