The First of the Hoosiers is a historical novel written by George Cary Eggleston. The novel is set in the early 1800s and follows the life of a young man named Ralph Hartsook. Ralph is the first child born in the newly formed state of Indiana, and the novel chronicles his life as he grows up and becomes a man.The story takes place during a time of great change in America, with the country expanding westward and settlers moving into new territories. Ralph's family is one of these pioneering families, and the novel explores the challenges they face as they try to build a new life in the wilderness.As Ralph grows up, he becomes involved in the political and social issues of the day, including the fight for statehood and the struggle against slavery. He also falls in love with a young woman named Alice, and their relationship is a central part of the story.The First of the Hoosiers is a vivid portrait of life on the American frontier, with detailed descriptions of the landscape, the people, and the customs of the time. It is a story of courage, perseverance, and the determination of people to build a better life for themselves and their families.1903. Eggleston, noted for both his fiction and nonfiction work, was a native of Indiana but threw in his lot with the Confederacy, serving on the staff of General J.E.B. Stuart in the First Virginia Cavalry and later as a Sergeant with an artillery battery in South Carolina. The First of the Hoosiers is the reminiscences of Edward Eggleston and of that Western life which he, first of all men, celebrated in literature and made famous. George Eggleston offers a study of his father, Edward Eggleston, clergyman, novelist, and historian who realistically portrayed various sections of the U.S. in such books as The Hoosier School-Master. See other titles by this author available from Kessinger Publishing.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.