DARLINGTON — Carol March McLernon has written several books. She is a fan of history and genealogy, and likes to indulge in both to keep her readers interested. Her latest book “Journeys to the Land of Gray Gold” will be the topic of conversation at an Author Talk at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, July 20 at the Lafayette County Historical & Genealogy Museum, 525 Main Street, Darlington. Anyone interested in history, genealogy, and who consider themselves sleuths of research won’t want to miss this discussion. The museum is air conditioned and light refreshments will be served.
Having had the experience of being an audience member during a similar discussion, March McLernon said such a memory has impacted how she engages with her readers.
“August Derleth, the author of ‘The Land of Gray Gold’, spoke at Shullsburg High when I was a student there,” she said. “When I’ve spoken to groups in schools, libraries, and museums around the Midwest, folks, especially kids; often ask which of my books is my favorite and I usually reply, ‘The one I’m working on now,’ which is true of the chapters in my current book. I also tell children I grew up in the ‘land of gray-gold’ and attended school in a ghost town. They find that fascinating. The fact is that the school was near the ghost town, but all of the stories that come from that experience are true.”
Readers might recognize some of the individuals mentioned in her latest book, especially whose ancestors are from the Shullsburg area, especially those who knew and had family who pioneered the Methodist church. March McLernon hopes that anyone that grew up with her in the region, will stop by her author talk, as the genealogy of some area families merged during that period of time. Some names may sound familiar to guests of her discussion.
“I’ve been fascinated to learn of pioneers like James Doty, Gov. Cass, Juliette Kinzie, Black Hawk, Preacher Kent and Father Mazzuchelli, who met in their journeys to or through the leadmining area,” she said. “Pioneers came from many countries. Jesse Schull came from Holland. Father Mazzuchelli was from Italy. They immigrated from all over. The Fever River had been used by Sauk women and considered to be ‘Old Digs’. ‘New Digs was established a few miles northeast.”
The description of March McLernon’s book lends a nod to what guests to her author talk can expect.
‘In the 1800s, many people flocked to the lead mining area from Europe for a variety of reasons. They were explorers, entrepreneurs, missionaries, prospectors, statesmen, and farmers. These travelers established businesses, towns and villages then witnessed statehood for Wisconsin. Most traveled the waterways in canoes until the steamboats became popular. Native tribes gradually moved south. Black Hawk’s tribe (Sauk) settled around the juncture of the Mississippi River and the Rock River. Father Mazzuchelli and Preacher Kent were on missions to preach to natives and newcomers. The priest came from Italy unable to speak the language or understand the use of money. He traveled on toll roads to Ohio where he finished his studies. He began his work around Fort Mackinac, living among the natives before being assigned to the lead mining area. He established many parishes. Some of the friends he made there, met him again in Belmont. Juliette Kinze accompanied her husband who was called “Silver Man” by the natives because he delivered their treaty money. James and Sarah Doty lived in Green Bay. An attorney, James traveled so much that he was able to help establish the Military Road which connected Prairie du Chien and Green Bay.
Many of these pioneer’s lives were disrupted for a short time when Black Hawk tried to regain his gardens. Like many folks in the British Isles, the March family emigrated to escape poor living conditions caused, in part by the decline in ore prices.’
“One of my great-great grandfathers was born in Laxey, Isle of Man,” March McLernon said. “Some of my ancestors lived at School Master Pasture in Yorkshire, England, near James Herriot’s surgery. John Westly visited the church there. One great-great grandfather was a teamster. Another great-great grandfather emigrated and purchased land along the Fever River. John March (a relative) once took his invention to the Columbian Exposition of 1893 in Chicago. Another Shullsburg resident worked in the Wisconsin Building there at that time.”
History and genealogy are sprinkled into March McLernon’s book and her upcoming discussion. She looks forward to revealing more of the history she has uncovered, as she takes everyone on the journey of yesterdays.
Her latest book “Journeys to the Land of Gray Gold”, among other works of hers, will be available for sale after the discussion. Look for her other reads: “Katie Down the Pike”; “Adventures with Jack”; “Lead mining Towns of Southwest Wisconsin”; “String of Hope”; “Ice for Sale”; “Samuele”; “Man with Many Names”; “Black Hawk: A Boy and his Vision”; “The 1,000 Mile Horse Race: 1893”; “Treasured Memories: Columbian Exposition of 1893”; and “Forward the Women”.
