Carleton wrote this poem at the age of 25, when he worked as editor of the Detroit Weekly Tribune. In 1872 he published "Over the Hill to the Poor House", exploring the plight of the aged and those with indifferent families.
Carleton composed this verse at the age of 25, while working as editor for the Detroit Weekly Tribune. Two years later, in 1872, he published "Over the Hill to the Poor House", shedding light on the hardships faced by seniors and those with uninvolved relatives.