About Harry D. Cuffage and A Lot of People Slept Here: Cuffage By Design – American on Purpose:
Harry D Cuffage is a third-generation American who grew up in a family of fourteen. His early life was shaped by a unique blend of challenges and influences. Raised alongside nine siblings, his household also included his parents, a maternal grandmother, and an uncle. His father, a tenant farmer, had limited formal education, while his mother came from a middle-class background and pursued education beyond high school. This contrast between his parents’ worlds deeply influenced Harry’s outlook on life.
Growing up in poverty, Harry experienced firsthand the struggles of being looked down upon by peers in wealthier suburban schools. Despite these challenges, he was determined to rise above his circumstances. After completing his education, Harry dedicated 35 years to civil service in the Federal government, where he steadily climbed the ranks to hold high-level positions. His journey continued in the private sector for another decade before retiring for the second time.
A devoted single father, Harry raised his three children from a young age, instilling in them the values of hard work, education, and self-reliance. After retiring, Harry embraced writing as his third career. A LOT OF PEOPLE SLEPT HERE marks his debut as an author, blending personal narrative, historical reflection, and life lessons.
Harry’s story is a testament to perseverance, personal growth, and a deep-rooted belief in the power of education and character. Through his writing, he hopes to inspire others to embrace resilience and find strength in their own journeys.
“A Lot of People Slept Here” is the remarkable memoir of Harry D. Cuffage, the eldest son among the ten children born to Harry and Esther Cuffage — a couple from vastly different social and economic backgrounds who instilled their children with the traditional American values of resilience, accountability, and self-reliance. Growing up in mid-20th century America, Harry Jr. recounts a journey shaped by his parents’ strength and the enduring lessons he learned in a life that began in poverty but was enriched by hard work, family bonds, and an indomitable spirit.
Through vivid stories and reflections, Harry shares his memories, from playful childhood shenanigans on Northampton Farm to the trials and triumphs of adulthood. The book captures his love of the outdoors, lessons in boxing from his father, and humorous anecdotes from his various jobs, offering a rich tapestry of life that is often challenging but never dull. He describes his mother’s relentless strength in raising her children alone after the loss of his father, a guiding force in his life that has continued to shape him even into his own years of fatherhood and grandfatherhood.
Now living with his daughter Elizabeth and her family on a 51-acre farm, Harry reflects on the circle of life, the values he holds dear, and the changing world around him. With social and political commentary woven throughout, A Lot of People Slept Here is not only a personal memoir but a call for civility, kindness, and a shared responsibility to build a better future.
