written by
NAOMIE LAURENT
illustrated by
KEITH HENRY BROWN
In the mid-1800s, most people going west took the Santa Fe Trail or the Oregon Trail.
Many people wanted to explore the American West. But the trip across the U.S. was long. People had to have many resources to get there.
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Hiram Young made some things the settlers would need. He made wagon parts, and he was very good at it. 2
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When Hiram was enslaved, he learned how to make these parts. He would sell them to settlers when he could. 4
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In time, Hiram had the funds to buy his and his wife’s freedom. In 1850, the family left for a new home. Their new home at that time was close to the start of an important trail going west. This was a smart spot for Hiram to sell yokes and wagon parts. He also sold entire wagons. People went to Hiram before starting their journey. They wanted strong wagons and parts for the trip.
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Hiram could not make all those wagons by himself. He gave jobs to people who were enslaved. They learned new skills from Hiram. These skills would help them buy their freedom, too. 8
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His company got bigger. It was soon one of the biggest in the state. It sold hundreds of wagons and even more yokes every year. 10
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Many settlers went west to find gold and become rich. But Hiram did not have to find gold to get the life he wanted.
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He worked hard, and he picked a smart spot to sell what he made.
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With the careful crafting of wagons and yokes, Hiram made a way to change his life. 14
And he helped other people change their lives, too.