GAR soldier John J. Snook of Rochester, Michigan. He was a local Civil War hero, writer, speaker, and poet - "Poet Laureate". Many of the poems have excerpts from speeches or background introducing the poem. Many of the poems are patriotic reflecting his service such as: Old Glory, Lincoln, A Boy on Guard, A Manly Man, Stars and Stripes,Cherry Tree and Hatchet, The Grand Army of the Republic and more! There are poems relating to rural or farm life such as: Nutting Party, Farm Home, Rural Freedom, The Farmers' Club, The Peach is Queen and more! Many also relate to Michigan and New York such as: Mackinac Island, Michigan Agricultural College, The Hudson, Outing on St. Clair River and more! There even is a poem on the World's Fair. This poetical first edition treasure measures app. 7.5"x5" with 253 pages. It is in very good antique condition with some corner, edge, spine wear and bumping.

Charming book, an unusual combination of prose memoir and narrative poetry with photos. The author's childhood in Rochester, Michigan; his mother's harrowing trip to his bedside when he fell ill while serving with the 22nd Michigan V. I. in the American Civil War; and a family journey to California in 1903 are among the topics described.