Turns out that Will Carleton (1845-1912) was a Big Deal in Southern Michigan. In all Will wrote twelve books of poetry, prompting Michigan to confer on him the honorary title of Poet Laureate. Hillsdale Michigan's historical society says he died in 1912 as one of the nation’s most respected and widely read writers and lecturers.

My Dad, a proud Michigander, never said anything about Will Carleton, but he made sure to introduce me to Edgar A. Guest, the British-born McGonagall of Michigan.



https://www.hillsdalehistoricalsociety.org/will-carleton

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Will_Carleton