Grandpa Was a Cowboy; book project on the life of Eugene J. TenBrink

I received a note today from the first student supported by the scholarship established in great-grandpa Eugene's honor. I am so pleased to be helping other first-generation college students interested in history. If you are interested in contributing to the scholarship fund as part of your end-of-year charitable giving, please contact Briette Bryant Phillips for more information ([email protected]).

GVSU did a short piece on the scholarship I created in Great-Grandpa Eugene's memory. Check it out!

Honoring a family legacy by giving back - Deborah Rotman '93 Deborah Rotman '93 honored her great-grandfather, Eugene Tenbrink, by establishing a scholarship to assist other first-generation students.

In your end-of-year charitable giving, please consider a gift to the Eugene J. TenBrink Scholarship at Grand Valley State University to support a first generation college student interested in history!
http://www.gvsu.edu/giving/tenbrink

Eugene J. TenBrink, ca. 1950s. Courtesy of Eileen Moelker. As a member of the Allendale Zoning Board and Allendale Improvement Association, Eugene TenBrink was instrumental in securing the location for a new institution of higher education in West Michigan: Grand Valley State College (now University) (GVSU). He had always regretted not telling his mother he was going out West and so Eugene established a $10,000 scholarship in her honor....

Cowboy Tuesday: The Eugene J. TenBrink Scholarship Fund Eugene J. TenBrink, ca. 1950s. Courtesy of Eileen Moelker. As a member of the Allendale Zoning Board and Allendale Improvement Association, Eugene TenBrink was instrumental in securing the location…

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐"A brilliant read through western history."

Grandpa the Cowboy: A Young Man's Journey through the American West follows a cowboy's experiences on a bonanza farm in ND, a cattle ranch in MT & a sheep herding outfit in WY 1904-1910.

Available on Kindle and in paperback from Amazon!

Grandpa the Cowboy: A Young Man's Journey through the American West In 1904, Eugene J. TenBrink, a second-generation immigrant from the Dutch enclave of West Michigan, traveled to the Great Plains to see the "American West" for himself. He found work with a bonanza farm in Mayville, North Dakota; a cattle ranch in Miles City, Montana; and a sheepherding outfit ou...

More than 70 million people worldwide claim Irish ancestry, including 45 million Irish-Americans. Using historical and archaeological case studies, Rotman explores the many contexts into which the Irish settled in the US during the second half of the 19th century--from big cities on the East Coast, like New York City; to smaller towns of the Midwest, including South Bend, Indiana; to mining communities, such as Butte, Montana. The unique communities into which the Irish settled significantly shaped their experiences as immigrants and influenced their success in their new country. COMING SOON 2023

COMING SOON – From Ireland to America: Irish Immigrant Lives in the US More than 70 million people worldwide claim Irish ancestry, including 45 million Irish-Americans. Using historical and archaeological case studies, Rotman explores the many contexts into which the …

I have begun working on my next book (tentatively titled) "From Ireland to America: Irish Immigrant Experiences in the US." Starting Saturday, October 15, I will begin a weekly blog about the many fascinating communities into which Irish Americans settled during the second half of the 19th century. Please subscribe and follow along!

Shamrock Saturday: Coming Soon! I have begun working on my next book (tentatively titled) “From Ireland to America: Irish Immigrant Experiences in the US.” Starting Saturday, October 15, I will begin a weekly blog abo…

FOR EUGENE'S DESCENDANTS: The Development Office at GVSU wishes to compile a list of Eugene's descendants who have attended/graduated from GVSU. If you or someone you know should be on this list, please respond to this message with that info. Thanks!

Bison herd on the move. Photo by Neal Herbert, National Park Service. American bison (Bison bison) are commonly referred to as buffalo, although that name is not technically correct. Before 1800, there were an estimated 30 million buffalo and maybe as many as 70 million roaming the Trans-Mississippi West. These massive beasts are an integral part of the American story....

http://authordebrotman.com/2022/09/20/cowboy-tuesday-the-american-bison/

Cowboy Tuesday: The American Bison Bison herd on the move. Photo by Neal Herbert, National Park Service. American bison (Bison bison) are commonly referred to as buffalo, although that name is not technically correct. Before 1800, t…

Chuck wagons are fascinating!

America's first food truck: the chuckwagon.

Though mobile kitchens had been around for centuries by the time famed cattleman Charles Goodnight invented the chuckwagon in 1866, Goodnight's creation was far simpler. It soon became a ranch and range staple throughout the American West.

Goodnight based his design on the Studebaker freight wagons the US Army used during the Civil War. Moreover, Goodnight’s design made it possible to contain all the food, cooking utensils, cooking accessories, and dinnerware in one wagon.

The most important element of the design was the addition of the chuck box at the back of the wagon bed. This placed a preparation surface, and all of the food preparation supplies and equipment in easy reach of the cook.

The food consisted of ingredients that could travel well and were not likely to spoil; therefore, the meals largely consisted of salt-cured meats (especially pork), beans, coffee, and sourdough biscuits.
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Learn more about the goods, gear, people, and stories of the American West at ranchingheritage.org!

History is often recorded through the lives of prominent individuals, often affluent men of Anglo-European origin. Yet those same events were almost always experienced by others—the non-affluent and poor; women, children, and others; Indigenous, Black, and other ethnic groups; young and old; and the like. This reality creates challenges for historians seeking to understand the experiences of people whose lives were rarely documented beyond vital statistics, such as birth, marriage, and death....

http://authordebrotman.com/2022/09/13/cowboy-tuesday-the-range-riders/

Cowboy Tuesday: The Range Riders History is often recorded through the lives of prominent individuals, often affluent men of Anglo-European origin. Yet those same events were almost always experienced by others—the non-affluent an…

Back in 1909 or 1910, Claude McCracken drove this XIT Ranch chuck wagon, packed with bedrolls and supplies for roundup. Four horses pulled the wagon near Cedar Creek in Eastern Montana. You would be hard pressed to find a topic more iconic of Montana’s cattle history than the chuck wagon.
The 1892 journal left by XIT trail boss Ealey Moore recorded the supplies used for a crew of 10 men during the 13 weeks it took to drive 2,500 cattle from Channing, Texas, to the confluence of the Yellowstone River and Cedar Creek north of Miles City. The cook, Sam Williamson, ground and brewed almost two pounds of coffee beans a day, going through three coffee mills. Each day he cooked 10 pounds of bacon. During the 13 week drive, the crew consumed 40 pounds of rice, 160 pounds of beans, 9 gallons of sorghum, almost 300 pounds of fruit, including dried currants and prunes as well as dried, fresh, and canned apples and peaches, 405 pounds of white sugarand1,750 pounds of white flour. Learn more at http://mthistoryrevealed.blogspot.com/2014/10/chuck-wagon-provisions.html
Bonus: Look closely in the lower right side to see an image of the photographer - none other than the iconic Evelyn Cameron!

Grandpa Was a Cowboy; book project on the life of Eugene J. TenBrink added a Shop on Website button to their Page.

Close-up of AL. FURSTNOW company stamp. Eugene’s saddle, chaps, and holsters were made by the AL. FURSTNOW Company in Miles City, Montana. The above image is of the company’s stamp on Eugene’s wooly chaps. The company was founded by Al Furstnow in August of 1894. He had worked for his father and other saddle companies in Wyoming and Montana where he learned his craft....

http://authordebrotman.com/2022/09/06/cowboy-tuesday-al-furstnow-saddlery-co-miles-city-montana/

Cowboy Tuesday: AL. FURSTNOW Saddlery Co., Miles City, Montana Close-up of AL. FURSTNOW company stamp. Eugene’s saddle, chaps, and holsters were made by the AL. FURSTNOW Company in Miles City, Montana. The above image is of the company’s stamp on Eugene’s wool…

Are you enjoying the book? If so, please leave a review on Amazon to help others discover it!

To leave a review in Amazon: Click on the link to the book below. Scroll down. In the left column, there will be a section titled "Review this Product." Click on the link that says, "Write a customer review." That link will walk you through posting your review. Thank you!

Grandpa the Cowboy: A Young Man's Journey through the American West In 1904, Eugene J. TenBrink, a second-generation immigrant from the Dutch enclave of West Michigan, traveled to the Great Plains to see the "American West" for himself. He found work with a bonanza farm in Mayville, North Dakota; a cattle ranch in Miles City, Montana; and a sheepherding outfit ou...

The Pony Express Route in 1860. (Library of Congress) I grew up around horses and was emotionally attached to them as individuals and pets. In the West, however, horses were essential “tools” that made transportation, communication, shipping of goods, herding cattle, and other work possible. Horses were an especially critical component of the Pony Express. This express mail service operated for only 18 months—from April 3, 1860 to October 26, 1861—but its legacy remains a larger-than-life chapter in the history of the American West....

http://authordebrotman.com/2022/08/30/cowboy-tuesday-the-pony-express/

Cowboy Tuesday: The Pony Express The Pony Express Route in 1860. (Library of Congress) I grew up around horses and was emotionally attached to them as individuals and pets. In the West, however, horses were essential “tools” that …

Eugene's saddle, ca. 1905-1910. One of a Eugene’s most important tools as a cowboy was his saddle. Cowboys spent 12-15 hours/day on horseback, so a good saddle was essential. Importantly, however, a well-made saddle was needed for the comfort of the rider and his horse. A poor quality, ill-fitting saddle could make a horse sore in a short time, whereas a high-quality, well-fitting saddle meant a cowboy could ride longer and need to change his horse less frequently during his workday....

http://authordebrotman.com/2022/08/23/cowboy-tuesday-a-cowboys-saddle/

Cowboy Tuesday: A Cowboy’s Saddle Eugene’s saddle, ca. 1905-1910. One of a Eugene’s most important tools as a cowboy was his saddle. Cowboys spent 12-15 hours/day on horseback, so a good saddle was essential. Importantly, how…

I have received some photographs of Eugene's cowboy gear from the Grand Rapids Public Museum. I will share these as future posts or Cowboy Tuesday material. Since last week was about A Cowboy's Clothing. Here are some photos of his angora chaps!

"Grandpa the Cowboy: A Young Man's Journey through the American West" is available for purchase on Amazon.

Please like and share!

A portion of the proceeds from the book will go to the Eugene TenBrink Scholarship at Grand Valley State University to support first-generation college students interested in history.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B9QTYTYJ...

Grandpa the Cowboy: A Young Man's Journey through the American West In 1904, Eugene J. TenBrink, a second-generation immigrant from the Dutch enclave of West Michigan, traveled to the Great Plains to see the "American West" for himself. He found work with a bonanza farm in Mayville, North Dakota; a cattle ranch in Miles City, Montana; and a sheepherding outfit ou...

Now available on Kindle and Paperback: Grandpa the Cowboy: A Young Man's Journey Through the American West!

Dr. Deborah L. Rotman, Archaeologist and Historian, goes on a personal journey of discovery as she traces her great grandfather's adventures as a cowboy in 1900s American West.

Get your copy now! https://amzn.to/3psddUk

Grandpa the Cowboy: A Young Man's Journey through the American West In 1904, Eugene J. TenBrink, a second-generation immigrant from the Dutch enclave of West Michigan, traveled to the Great Plains to see the "American West" for himself. He found work with a bonanza farm in Mayville, North Dakota; a cattle ranch in Miles City, Montana; and a sheepherding...

"Grandpa the Cowboy: A Young Man's Journey through the American West" is available for purchase on Amazon.

Please like and share!

A portion of the proceeds from the book will go to the Eugene TenBrink Scholarship at Grand Valley State University to support first-generation college students interested in history.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B9QTYTYJ?ref_=pe_3052080_397514860

Welcome to Cowboy Tuesday! Each week I will blog about something interesting I encountered in my cowboy research for my book, “Grandpa the Cowboy: A Young Man’s Journey through the American West,” which follows Eugene TenBrink during his time as a farm hand on a bonanza farm in North Dakota, a cowpuncher for a ranch in Montana, and a foreman for a sheep outfit in Wyoming....

http://authordebrotman.com/2022/08/16/cowboy-tuesday-a-cowboys-clothing/

Cowboy Tuesday: A Cowboy’s Clothing Welcome to Cowboy Tuesday! Each week I will blog about something interesting I encountered in my cowboy research for my book, “Grandpa the Cowboy: A Young Man’s Journey through the American West,” …

The Kindle version of "Grandpa the Cowboy: A Young Man's Journey through the American West" is available for pre-order on Amazon! The paperback will be available soon.

A portion of the proceeds from this book will be donated to a new "Eugene TenBrink Scholarship" at Grand Valley State University that will support first-generation students interested in American history.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B9KM8CFZ?ref_=pe_3052080_276849420

Eight days, 13 states, and 3,855 miles through stunningly beautiful American landscapes. I have a heart full of gratitude for a safe and productive research trip. More soon!

Day 6: Cowboy Research Road Trip

I visited the magnificent National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum today. I was delighted to see a pair of angora chaps on exhibit that are identical to the ones GrGpa is wearing in his “cowboy photo” and from the same time period!

Author Deb Rotman
Deb Rotman

Day 5 Cowboy Research Road Trip

I have been on the road all day making my way to Oklahoma City. Reflecting on what I have learned raises a question:

The Grandin Farm was an early adopter of the telephone. It was an essential tool in managing a bonanza farm of 75,000-ish acres. Do you suppose that could have sparked GrGpa Eugene’s interest in Allendale Telephone Company? TELL ME MORE!

Cattle were introduced to the Great Plains in the early 1860s. Grocers and merchants kept small herds to feed settlers moving through on the Oregon, Santa Fe, and Mormon trails as well as miners and railroad workers. John Wesley Iliff was a grocer in Denver (1861) who recognized the potential for domesticated cattle. His land holdings along the South Platte River became so large that he could travel for a week in any direction and never leave his ranch. Wesley was the first "cattle king" of the West.

Great-Grandpa visited the 1876 site of the Battle of Little Big Horn during his time out West. Even though it was more than 30 years later, GrGpa reported that the battlefield was littered with spent ammunition.

Today is the anniversary of another fateful day in Western History -- The Battle of Wounded Knee. An accounting of those events by historian Heather Cox Richardson:

On the clear, cold morning of December 29, 1890, on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota, three U.S. soldiers tried to wrench a valuable Wi******er rifle away from a young Lakota man. He refused to give up his hunting weapon; it was the only thing standing between his family and starvation. As the men struggled, the gun fired into the sky.

Before the echoes died, troops fired a volley of shots that brought down half of the Lakota men and boys the soldiers had captured the night before, as well as a number of soldiers surrounding the Lakotas. The uninjured Lakota men attacked the soldiers with knives, guns they snatched from wounded soldiers, and their fists.
As the men fought hand-to-hand, the Lakota women who had been hitching their horses to wagons for the day’s travel tried to flee along the nearby road or up a dry ravine behind the camp. The soldiers on a slight rise above the camp turned rapid-fire mountain guns on them. Then, over the next two hours, troops on horseback hunted down and slaughtered all the Lakotas they could find: about 250 men, women, and children.

But it is not December 29 that haunts me. It is the night of December 28, the night before the killing.

On December 28, there was still time to avert the Wounded Knee Massacre. In the early afternoon, the Lakota leader Big Foot-- Sitanka-- had urged his people to surrender to the soldiers looking for them. Sitanka was desperately ill with pneumonia and the people in his band were hungry, underdressed, and exhausted. They were making their way south across South Dakota from their own reservation in the northern part of the state to the Pine Ridge Reservation. There, they planned to take shelter with another famous Lakota chief, Red Cloud. His people had done as Sitanka asked, and the soldiers escorted the Lakotas to a camp on South Dakota's Wounded Knee Creek, inside the boundaries of the Pine Ridge Reservation.

For the soldiers, the surrender of Sitanka's band marked the end of the Ghost Dance Uprising. It had been a tense month. Troops had pushed into the South Dakota reservations in November, prompting a band of terrified men who had embraced the Ghost Dance religion to gather their wives and children and ride out to the Badlands. But, at long last, army officers and negotiators had convinced those Ghost Dancers to go back to Pine Ridge and turn themselves in to authorities before winter hit in earnest.

Sitanka’s people were not part of the Badlands group and, for the most part, were not Ghost Dancers. They had fled from their own northern reservation two weeks before when they learned that officers had murdered the great leader Sitting Bull in his own home. Army officers were anxious to find and corral Sitanka’s missing Lakotas before they carried the news that Sitting Bull had been killed to those who had taken refuge in the Badlands. Army leaders were certain the information would spook the Ghost Dancers and send them rushing back to the Badlands. They were determined to make sure the two bands did not meet.

But South Dakota is a big state, and it was not until late in the afternoon of December 28 that the soldiers finally made contact with Sitanka's band. It didn’t go quite as the officers planned: a group of soldiers were watering their horses in a stream when some of the traveling Lakotas surprised them. The Indians let the soldiers go, and the men promptly reported to their officers, who marched on the Lakotas as if they were going to war. Sitanka, who had always gotten along well with army officers, assured the commander that the Indians were on their way to Pine Ridge anyway, and asked his men to surrender unconditionally. They did.
By this time, Sitanka was so ill he couldn't sit up and his nose was dripping blood. Soldiers lifted him into an army ambulance—an old wagon-- for the trip to the Wounded Knee camp. His ragtag band followed behind. Once there, the soldiers gave the Lakotas an evening ration, and lent army tents to those who wanted them. Then the soldiers settled into guarding the camp.

And they celebrated, for they were heroes of a great war, and it had been bloodless, and now, with the Lakota’s surrender, they would be demobilized back to their home bases before the South Dakota winter closed in. As they celebrated, more and more troops poured in. It had been a long hunt across South Dakota for Sitanka and his band, and officers were determined the group would not escape them again. In came the Seventh Cavalry, whose men had not forgotten that their former leader George Armstrong Custer had been killed by a band of Lakota in 1876. In came three mountain guns, which the soldiers trained on the Indian encampment from a slight rise above the camp.

For their part, the Lakotas were frightened. If their surrender was welcome and they were going to go with the soldiers to Red Cloud at Pine Ridge, as they had planned all along, why were there so many soldiers, with so many guns?

On this day and hour in 1890, in the cold and dark of a South Dakota December night, there were soldiers drinking, singing and visiting with each other, and anxious Indians either talking to each other in low voices or trying to sleep. No one knew what the next day would bring, but no one expected what was going to happen.

One of the curses of history is that we cannot go back and change the course leading to disasters, no matter how much we might wish to. The past has its own terrible inevitability, but it is never too late to change the future.