Just three generations ago, everyone worked harder to simply exist.
My Grandfather was a trapper, hunter, and farmer. The farm used horsepower to do the heavy work, but wood for the stove to keep the farm house warm in winter was cut by hand from a mile away, then hauled to the farm by horses, then cut by hand and split by hand to fit the stove in the house.
Water was pumped by hand.
There was no indoor plumbing.
My father grew up on that farm. He learned trapping and hunting from his father.
He got his first tractor in 1949.
In 1800, 83% of people were farmers. In 1860, 53% were farmers. In 1900, about 40% were farmers.
Maybe we were separated at birth. You’re grandfather sounds exactly like my grandfather. My grandfathers on both sides, really.