Federal Writers' Project – Life Histories/2019/Fall/Section 1/Joseph A. Michaels

= Overview = Joseph A. Michaels was a cotton mill worker, farmer, and gold miner from North Carolina who worked from the late 19th century to the mid 20th century. He was interviewed for the Federal Writers’ Project in 1938. Originally from Burke County, North Carolina, Michaels lived in many places across the Carolinas during his life and worked many different jobs.

Early Life
Joseph. A Michaels was born on February 18, 1868 to John Marshall Michaels and Ellen Mariah Pope in Burke County, North Carolina. As a child, Michaels began to work in gold mines like his father. Him and his father would work in these mines for nearly ten years, before moving to Glendale, South Carolina where he found work in helping to build a cotton mill. They moved fairly often to anywhere they could find work. Their next job led Michaels to Clifton, South Carolina where he would again help in building a cotton mill.

Later Life
In 1895 Michaels married Laura Quitman Warlick, and they moved to Converse, South Carolina where Michaels found work in the cotton mill industry. Michaels and Warlick would go on to have 12 children, but unfortunately one would pass away as an infant. Due to the low wages and working conditions during this time, Michaels and his family would continue to move across the Carolinas in order to find work. At the age of 68 Michaels was forced out of work due to new laws and regulations set by the Social Security Act. After being laid off from work, Michaels was given a small pension, but ultimately relied on his sons for financial support. Joseph A. Michaels passed away in 1952 in Burlington, North Carolina.

Poor Working Conditions
The working conditions in mills during the late 19th century and early 20th century was often poor. Many factors contributed to this such as long work days, and unsafe machinery. It was not uncommon for workers in the industry to be permanently indebted to the cotton mills. Many mills would offer to house its works in residential villages, where they would not be paid for the first few weeks of work. Companies would often overcharge their workers for basic needs at the company store, forcing them to work more hours. This caused many families to end up owing the mill money, forcing them to stay and put up with the substandard conditions. Wages were so low that even the children of the family were expected to work and attribute to the family’s income. Nearly ¼ of workers in the mill industry were below the age of 16 in the late 19th century and early 20th century. In 1904, the average hourly salary ranged anywhere from as low as $2.50 per week to a high of $7.00 per week. In today’s society, that would translate to roughly $70.00 - $200.00. A common work day was at least 12 hours, but often went from sun up to down, and many had to work overtime to provide for their families.

Impact of the Social Security Act
The Social Security Act of 1935, which was proposed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, was intended to offset the economic burden set on American families by the Great Depression. Before this proposal, savings were considered to be a private matter and not to be interfered with by the government. Some of the programs in the Social Security Act included assistance for widows raising children, assistance for the disabled, and a pension program for older Americans, or those soon to retire. Although the programs were meant to aid those in need, they did not necessarily live up to their potential. Many found it hard to live off of their pension.