Essayists
Pokagon, Simon
1830 - 1899
Place of Birth: Indian village on St. Joseph River, near or on Indiana border, Berrien
County, MI
Biography:
Simon Pokagon was born to Elizabeth and Leopold (famous Potowatomi chief) Pokagon in Berrien County, MI. He was educated at Notre Dame University and Oberlin College, and throughout his life became known as the best educated full-blooded Indian in North America. He served as the chief of the Potowatomi tribe and spent much of his life convincing his fellow Indians to educate themselves and integrate into other cultures, as well as campaigning for Indian rights and trying to get payment for the land his father sold to the US government. Pokagon met with President Lincoln twice and smoked a pipe-of-peace with President Grant, both with the purpose of receiving payment for his tribe. When he attended the World’s Columbian Exposition in 1893, Pokagon was outraged to discover that no American Indian had been asked to serve in any official position at the World’s Fair when dignitaries came from all over the world to attend. He wrote a defense entitled The Red Man’s Greeting, that was originally published on birch park and sold by Indians at the exposition before being picked up by the Chicago Press, reviewed by the National Press, and quoted in journals in England in Europe. This defense brought world fame to Pokagon, and paved the way for more of his work, including defense and persuasive pieces. The Chicago mayor asked Pokagon to be the keynote speaker for Chicago Day at the Exposition, where thousands arrived to hear Pokagon speak. He wrote ten articles for The Forum, Harper’s, The Chautauguan, Review of Reviews, and The Arena on topics including the future of the Indian, problems of race, Indian legends, and the Fort Dearborn Massacre. In addition to his articles, Pokagon wrote one book, Queen of the Woods that reflected on his early courtship with his wife, Londinaw, using nature to express ideas and abstract thought. Pokagon died in 1899.
Selected Works:
- The Red Man’s Greeting (1893)
- The chi-kog-ong of the red man (1897)
- Algonquin Legends of South Haven (1900)
Critical Review:
“He was a man of great moral strength. His appetites and passions were always under control of an awakened conscience. There was also something of the woman’s tenderness and sweetness in a nature that could be stern when wrongs were to be denounced. He was a poet, orator and philosopher. In his creations there not infrequently flashed forth much of the fire and impassioned the great chieftains of the Algonquins, and which not infrequently suggest the old prophets of Israel when they fearlessly denounced wrong and justice. With his death there passed from view one of the noblest children of the red race – a man whose life, thought and deeds proved how closely akin are the noble natures of all races, ages, and times.”
- Literary Digest
Relevance of Place to Author’s Work:
Pokagon’s book, Queen of the Woods, included much imagery on nature, as well as his love for the forest woodlands of Michigan. As chief of his people, Pokagon tirelessly campaigned for their rights, especially in receiving payment for their land.
Sachs, Harley L.
January 31, 1931—
Place of Birth: Chicago, IL
Place of Principle Residence: Houghton, MI and Portland, OR
Biography
Harley L. Sachs was born to Miriam and Jack Sachs in Chicago, IL on January 31, 1931. Although he spent his childhood years in Illinois and Indiana, Sachs traveled a considerable amount in his earlier years. Before settling down and raising a family with his wife, Ulla Deborah, Sachs lived in Germany, Sweden, Denmark, and Scotland. He attended Indiana University from 1953 – 1957 earning his M.A.T. and B.A. respectively, and also Indiana Christian where he received his PhD in 1971. Sachs got his start writing trade magazine articles and has been a freelance writer since the 1950’s. He is currently a freelance author and contributing editor for the Northern Express (weekly newspaper of Traverse City, MI). The majority of Sachs writings are fiction novels, but he has also written numerous essays, articles, and a collection of poetry. Sachs and Ulla have three children: Anna-Lena, Belinda, and Cynthia, and live in Houghton, MI and Portland, OR.
Selected Works:
- Irma Quarterback Reports
- Threads of the Covenant
- Never Trust a Talking Horse
- Scratch Out
Awards:
- 1981 Upper Peninsula of Michigan Writers Association’s Writer of the Year
- 1988 First prize for essay Alzheimers by the H.G. Roberts Foundation
- 1989 Award of excellence for Mouse Traps in the Classroom from Chicago chapter of STC
- 1989 Society for Technical Communication Award for Excellence
- 1990 Ed Powers Humor Award for Getting the Boating Bug from Irma Quarterdeck Reports
- 1990 Ed Powers Humor Award, Upper Peninsula of Michigan Writers
- 1992 UP Writers Association First Prize for essay, Summer’s Last Hurrah
- 1997 Ed Powers Memorial Award for Humor for Ejaculating with Zane Grey
- 1997 Upper Peninsula of Michigan Writers prize for My Brag Book
Critical Response:
Critics and readers alike praise Sachs for his stylistic humor and ability to create fun, entertaining characters in his fiction. Labeled as a “sharp-witted, imaginative crafter of mysteries”, Sachs has been praised for his talent for producing “sizzling” plots full of adventure and humor that instantly pull readers into the story.
Relevance of Place to Author’s Work
Throughout his life, Harley L. Sachs has always enjoyed traveling and the variety of going to different places. For the last several years, Sachs and his wife have continued to travel by splitting their year between Portland, Oregon, and Newbury, Michigan—located in the Upper Peninsula. It is in the Upper Peninsula where Sachs feels inspired to write, and dedicates every summer to writing a book.