Carl Sandburg
David Cheatwood
Oregon High School, Oregon
Teacher: Sara Werckle
Carl Sandburg is one of Illinois’ most famous personalities. Carl Sandburg is
remembered for a variety of reasons. He lived a life of variety. He evolved from a man
among the poor into a famous thinker and writer and he contributed tremendously to
society.
Sandburg grew up in a poor family. His mother and father were parents to five
children. Carl, Emil, Fred, Esther and Martha were all raised in a house on East Berrien
Street in Galesburg, Illinois. As he grew up he had opportunities to work in many
different fields. Sandburg spent part of his career as a milk delivery man, ice harvester,
bricklayer, wheat thresher, and shoe shiner. After all of this, he even spent some time
traveling as a hobo, starting in 1897.
Carl’s interest in politics sparked early in his life. When he was six, Sandburg’s
father took him to a Republican rally, saying it “would be good to see.” At the rally,
lines of Republicans carried torches and chanted support for Blaine, their presidential
candidate. He was running against Grover Cleveland. Seeing this rally inspired Carl to
believe that he was “a young Republican, a six-year-old Republican.” Cleveland won the
election. This was only what started Carl’s interest and in no way had he developed real
views. He continued to be politically uncertain until he became a hobo. During these
years of traveling with men of no material wealth he observed the dichotomy between the
rich and poor. This perspective made him skeptical about justice in a system of
capitalism. When the Spanish-American War began in 1898, Sandburg joined the
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military service. He was stationed in Puerto Rico but never saw any combat except that
against the elements. After his service, he enrolled in Lombard College. There he
developed permanent political views and developed himself as a writer. He worked
through college as a fireman.
While at Lombard, Sandburg joined a group called t