The Severn Saga

Graham Adams, Jr., is a professor of American history at Mount Allison University in New Brunswick.

Norman Emmott’s novel relates the story of three generations of the
Severn family in Canada and their attainment of wealth and status in
their respective communities.

Peter Severn, founder of the dynasty, emigrates from Ireland and after
several adventures—including desertion from the British Army—and
obtains permanent work as a rail-road section hand in Brenthill, a
village near Niagara Falls, Ontario. His son, Ross, starts life as a
clerk in a hardware store. During the American Civil War, however, he
quits his job to become—and earn considerable money as—a surrogate
soldier.

After Gettysburg, Ross returns home, marries, and opens a retail and
wholesale hardware business. He gains further respect in the town when
he participates in a skirmish that defeats a group of Irish Fenians
attempting to invade Canada. Ross’s son, Richard, joins the armed
forces in Canada and almost loses a leg in battle during the Louis Riel
rebellion. Afterward, Richard establishes a successful hardware concern
in British Columbia and marries the daughter of an English major
general. Another son, Henry, also starts a hardware firm. Finally, all
Severn enterprises unite into a single corporation.

Members of the Severn clan are shrewd, hardworking entrepreneurs with
an eye for the main chance. Wholly unreflective, they never harbor a
single doubt about themselves or their society. Building a string of
hardware emporiums ranks as their highest achievement.

Emmott tells a good tale and manages to hold the reader’s interest,
but his subject matter may not be entirely worthy of his talents.