Will Carleton

William McKendree Carleton (October 21, 1845 – December 18, 1912) was an American poet from Michigan. Carleton's poems were most often about his rural life, and he is best known for his poems about children, animals, and the natural world.

Carleton was born in a log cabin in Genesee County, Michigan, in 1845. He was the youngest of seven children. His father was a farmer, and his mother was a homemaker. Carleton attended the local schoolhouse, but he did not receive much formal education.

At the age of 16, Carleton left home to work as a printer's apprentice. He worked in several different printing shops in Michigan and Illinois. In 1862, he enlisted in the Union Army during the Civil War. He served for two years and was honorably discharged.

After the war, Carleton returned to Michigan and began writing poetry. His first poem was published in a local newspaper in 1867. He continued to write poetry for the next few years, and his poems were eventually published in several collections.

Carleton's poems were popular with readers of all ages. He was known for his simple, straightforward style and his ability to capture the beauty of the natural world. His poems often had a moral message, and they were often used to teach children about values such as honesty, hard work, and kindness.

Some of Carleton's most famous poems include "Over the Hills to the Poorhouse," "The Old Man of the Mountain," and "The Courtin'." These poems have been reprinted countless times and have been enjoyed by generations of readers.

Carleton died in Detroit, Michigan, in 1912. He was 67 years old. He is buried in Elmwood Cemetery in Detroit.

Carleton's legacy is one of a poet who captured the simple beauty of rural life. His poems are still enjoyed by readers today, and they offer a glimpse into a bygone era.

Will Carleton was a talented poet who captured the hearts of readers with his simple, straightforward style and his ability to capture the beauty of the natural world. His poems are still enjoyed by readers today, and they offer a glimpse into a bygone era.