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05/17/2007Martin Melkild's labor of loveI say I am not a Civil War buff, but here I am on a Saturday morning following my bliss to a meeting of the Robert Finch Camp 14 Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War. About 20 men, many wearing blue Union Army caps, sit around me. Most are descendants of Civil War soldiers. So am I, but I've come to hear guest speaker Martin Melkild talk about "Dear Brother Robert: Army of the Cumberland,” a book he wrote almost 30 years ago. The book is about Dr. Stephen Hutchinson, a Civil War veteran who was Northport's first medical doctor from 1867 until his death in 1901. It's based on letters Hutchinson wrote to his brother during the war. It also contains excerpts of journals he kept during the three decades he lived in Northport. Martin, almost 90, is too young to remember Hutchinson but has fond memories of his daughter, Winifred Hutchinson Schroeder, who was kind and generous to Martin and other children in Northport during the Great Depression. When Winifred died in 1950, the doctor's letters and journals found their way to the township librarian, Inga Melkild, Martin's mother. Martin became fascinated with them and started researching and working on the book after his retirement in 1982. He said his "hunt-and-punch” typing style took "forever.” It didn't deter him, though. He wanted to make sure Dr. Hutchinson, Winifred and their contributions to this area were remembered. Born and raised in Northport, Martin has a legacy of his own. He worked 26 years as Traverse City's landscaper. He was there when the Grand Natural Education Area and Grand Traverse Area Preserve were gleams in the eyes of foresighted Audubon Club members, area conservationists and nature lovers more than a half-century ago. During that time, he helped create Traverse City's parks and trails. He got involved with the Boys Scouts and Camp Greilick when his two sons were boys and he still helps train scout masters. A World War II Navy veteran, he served in the Pacific on the first Landing Ship Tank, or LST, the troop and tank carrier that later would transport troops and tanks across the English Channel to Normandy on D-Day. As I wait for Martin's talk, I ask the Sons of Civil War Veterans at my table how they came to be buffs. Eyes sparkle. Words spill and splash. For some, their passion for Civil War history started in boyhood when they learned an ancestor had served in the Union Army. For others, it was sparked later in life by an old letter found in the attic, a family legend or helping a friend dig up some information. It's contagious, they agree. It snowballs. It generates a life all its own. One man now has written more than 1,250 pages of family history. I recognize something in these fellows I've felt often in the last nine months since I started tracking my ancestor. I don't know how to describe it exactly. It reminds me of being 8 or 9 again, brimming with curiosity, joy for learning and happy anticipation of whatever is coming next. Yet, I experience it as an adult — with a deep sense of appreciation, satisfaction and gratitude. I feel connected to something timeless. I know it is a gift. I see this in Martin, too. I met him three weeks ago. We talked about his book and three others he's written — one about Leelanau County's early history, another about the LST and the third a collaboration with others that chronicles Boardman River Valley history. He read his favorite Dr. Hutchinson letters aloud. As I looked at the typewritten pages, the pictures, and the maps, I knew how much work it had been to pull this together. For some reason, I felt the need to thank him. So I did. He looked surprised, and I realized that his book never was about acclaim or money. It was a labor of love. He wrote because of Winifred's kindness, because of Dr. Hutchinson's eloquence, because their lives enriched his so much he had to share it. Dr. Hutchinson, his letters and journals were part of the nation's history, part of Northport's and Martin's. Now they are part of mine. The doctor and his daughter have not been forgotten — thanks to Martin. Record-Eagle columnist Loraine Anderson can be reached at landerson@record-eagle.com or 231-933-1468.
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By Loraine Anderson
