Mary Schueller is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire with a bachelor's degree in Business Administration and a certificate in technical writing.  Around 1998, she began researching her father's service in the Civilian Conservation Corps where he served for four years as a lead carpenter and field supervisor.  Schueller found that there was absolutely nothing organized in print regarding CCC Company D-692 and the two major parks they developed at Giant City Park in Makanda, Illinois and Copper Falls State Park in Mellen, Wisconsin. She realized if she didn't tell the story perhaps it would never get told and never be remembered. 

 

In addition to her father's service in the CCC, Schueller's connection to the Mellen, Wisconsin area goes back three generations.  She was further surprised to find in the DNR Land Records that her grandfather's brother sold land to the Wisconsin Conservation Commission in 1936 to add to the acreage of Copper Falls State Park. "It amazed me how each generation of my family had a connection to the park."

 

She accomplished her first goal by collaborating with the Mellen Area Historical Society in submitting the required research that placed Copper Falls State Park on the State Register of Historic places on September 23, 2005. The park was placed on the National Register on December 16, 2005.

Writing The Soldiers of Poverty and documenting her father’s experience in the Civilian Conservation Corps in Illinois, Wisconsin and Michigan, is the fulfillment of her second goal --- to make people aware of everything these remarkable men accomplished during a time of horrific hardship.

Mary has a PowerPoint presentation on the content of The Soldiers of Poverty and is available for speaking engagements for your organzation or school. Please contact her for availability.