The Reluctant Pioneer, a novel by Julie McDonald Zander, is an inspiring story of faith and determination of a family who treks two thousand miles along the Oregon Trail.
Matilda Koontz loves her life. She and her husband Nicholas are the parents of four rambunctious boys ranging in ages from eight to three. They live on a Missouri farm, but Nicholas fears the land won’t be enough to sustain their sons when they grow up and have families of their own. Matilda balks when Nicholas suggests they sell their farm and trek two thousand miles west where they can claim free land. She eventually agrees and they sell their farm and say goodbye to their Missouri family. Matilda realizes she will probably never again see her beloved aging mother.
In the spring of 1847 the Koontzes join a wagon train and embark on their grueling journey westward bound for the Willamette Valley, Oregon. Their covered wagon, pulled by four oxen, is stuffed with essential tools, clothing and food. Rather than ride in the wagon as it bounces and jerks along on the rough trail, they walk. Matilda is just beginning to realize she is again pregnant, but she often carries their youngest son or at least holds his hand as they trudge along the hot dusty trail. They are sobered at the sight of fresh graves, people who have died along the way of disease or accidents. Matilda cooks their meals on an open fire. As their supplies dwindle, the men hunt, or sometimes the families are able to replenish at forts along the way. Their journey seems endless and fraught with danger.
When tragedy strikes, not once but twice, their dreams are shattered. How can they possibly continue? What happens next is a testament to faith and determination.
Although The Reluctant Pioneer is a work of fiction, it was inspired by a true story. Author Julie McDonald Zander has also written an award-winning non-fiction story of this brave woman: The Story of Matilda (Glover) Koontz Jackson. Both the novel and non-fiction books are inspirational and worthy accounts of this brave woman