User:Shaelynngrifaldo/sandbox/Federal Writer's Project-- Sam Brakefield

{{Infobox person|birth_date=unkwon|death_date=unknown |occupation=Coal Minner|residence=Alabama

== Biography ==

=== Overview ===

Sam Brakefield was a white miner from Alabama working for Gamble Mines. He began work in the mines at the age of 14 by his father to provide compensation for the family.

=== Early Life ===

At the early age of 14 Sam Brakefield was sent by his father to work in the coal mines. Brakefield was sent in hopes of bringing more money in for the family. This beginning of work taught Brakefield how to grow up and become a strong individual. He considered this the beginning of his adulthood; from making eighty cents a day to working sunrise to sunset, Brakefield never felt the need or want to give up his job.

=== Later Life ===

Sam Brakefield had married a woman, who was not named, and had their first five children by the time he received his first pay raise; this was to 75 dollars a month. Admittedly, Brakefield knew he would have to scarcely account for his money. He came up with a plan of only spending five dollars a month on the house. The rest went to groceries. This is different the other men in his mine; they would spend a costly amount of money on groceries plus a percentage. This was the first instance that he was using a business sense of mind.

The mining industry that Brakefield was working at was owned by Tennessee Company but was sold to Pratt Mines. This was extreme wealth for the Brakefield family. However, that would not be their largest salary. In 1930, which was the start of the Great Depression, Gamble Mines was abandoned by Pratt Mines. This lead Brakefield to make 125 dollars a month.

With this reputation in mind, Brakefield knew he had to continue mining. He got a job with Barney Mine which was an eight-mile difference than the last mine. Unfortunately, due to inadequate representation at the mines, he moved elsewhere. Although Brakefield had to move to different mines to make money, he was always able to put aside extra money.

By 1932, Brakefield had saved up enough money to buy 46-acres of farmland. This is where he had a three-bedroom house with a living, dining, and washroom. This was his successful life, but he though he could make more.

Brakefield grew to having fifteen children, only raising 13. All of which did not follow his footsteps in the mining industry, which is what he has wished for. His children went and educated themselves at different colleges, which is a very different route of life than what their parents has done. Sam Brakefield was still a strong miner even after the start up of his farm; however, he no longer does the physical labor. Instead, he was seen as a director and leader.

== Social Issues ==

=== Mining Company Control ===

The coal mining industry has been proven on multiple accounts to invade the personal lives of their employees to gain control of them.

The coal mining industry had created local stores where the employees were only allowed to shop at. This store would have a variety of necessities, from groceries and clothing to daily necessities.

=== Unionizations ===

The employees of these mines grew agitated with the social injustices of pay wage and company stores. This caused them to form unionizations against the companies.

== References ==

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