Federal Writers' Project – Life Histories/2020/Summer II/Section 01/Tingyan Wang

Personal History of Mr. Washam

Biography Mr. Washam is a businessman with the streets of Willsboro, whose ancestral origin is Ireland. Washam has inherited business and farming practices from his father, which he has used for the upkeep of his five children who are alive. Washam's father had sixteen hundred acres of land, a store, and sawmill, which made him a hardworking person. Washam does not practice family planning, and he loves all his children without partiality, although five of them have died, and only five are remaining. However, Washam is not comfortable with the government and political sides American is taking. In earlier years, he says they were free to do whatever they want, but now he cannot plant cotton due to government restriction. Washam views that there is a lot to be improved in the social sector, especially interaction between family members. Despite the death of Washam's wife and most of his children not living with him, he has decided to live a settled life practicing farming awaiting death.

American Farming in 19th century Most of the American farmers are European settlers who migrated to the country during the dark ages. The farmers took advantage of vast lands available and not utilized by the native people to start farming of various crops. Farming continued from the 15th century but mainly advanced during the 19th and 20th century when industrialization had found its roots. Wheat, barley maize, cotton, corn, and tobacco are the main crops planted in America up to date but have been greatly affected by the change of policies. During the 19th century, America was hit by a civil war that greatly affected farming activities. Later in the 20th century, farming was also affected by world war I and II. Despite the challenges from wars, farmers in America continued to nourish until the great depression of the 1930s that greatly affected the economy. Farmers were directly affected as they could not buy farm inputs while their products would also not be purchased. However, since then, many farmers have recovered, and farming has continued in the American nation.

Social context Mr. Washam had broad social life from his younger age to the time he settled with his family. During his teenage years, he used to work within his father's farm with a large group of workers who worked in the sixteen hundred acres of land. Later in his adult life, he worked as a clerk in the business he owns. The interaction with various workers on the farm helped him developed skills that he has used to while working as a businessman. Despite the economic challenges arising from the great depression, Washam has managed to educate his children to college level, two of them becoming teachers.

Effects of the Great Depression on business enterprises. Washam is among the businessmen who have complained about the effects of the economic crisis on their business. While he can sell small pills, cash generated is not able to even pay for the license of the company. During the great depression, many businesses in America faced pile-up of stock, while some sold at a throwaway price. In the New York Stock Market, shares were sold maliciously at inflated prices while banks become almost nonfunctional. This made citizens lack cash hence could not transact in any business. This greatly affected Washam's business and personally since he had a large family, and his wife died midway the crisis.

Relation to the Great Depression Crisis. Washam lived from the 19th century through the great depression crisis, which he describes as the "new deal." He is not comfortable with it since it has changed the healthy life, and various policies are being formulated that affect him directly. For instance, he is not able to plant cotton on his farm because he is told he did not have it the previous year. Washam is left wondering how that is possible and goes on to make conclusions of how the freedom they used to enjoy is no longer there. The great depression changed the trajectory of America as a nation had taken in the 1920s. America had had significant economic growth during the 20s, which was boosted by agriculture and industrialization. Similar to Washam personally, since he started working as a clerk, he has managed the business well and provided for the large family he had. But now he is being shaken by the crisis, his family is not stable, and the only hope he has is he will die soon.

Family size As more people continue to be civilized, the number of children they are getting reduces. In the past two centuries, Washam and other American citizens did not have the mind of family planning. Washam personally gets ten children, where five dies and five are alive. Management of the family is a bit a problem, especially when the country gets to the great depression. Through the years, family practice methods have changed in the nation, with families having fewer children. Various methods, such as the use of contraceptives, have been adopted, reducing the number of children in a family. The use of contraceptives has greatly reduced the burdens families such as that of Washam had when they have lunch number of children.

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