The United States history begins with the pilgrims more or less. A growing number of people from various countries began to establish colonies and populations in New England. Even the refined and educated had to take on frontiersman skills and become capable and self-reliant in many things.
It is almost overwhelming to consider and encapsulate such an incredible time and place of struggle and success. The same men who founded a nation came from a lineage background of explorers, religious refugees, frontiersman and semi-nobility.
Imagine going from building log homes to founding Microsoft. These people did not just pioneer science and come to understand their natural world, they also built a free society where science, religion, entrepreneurism and building of things would flourish. The breadth of their interests and abilities is astonishing.
Their world and that of their parents required always thinking of the new. New places, new ways, new government, new society, new freedoms, new business, new routes, new religion, new neighbors and new struggles. No wonder they were so diversely skilled, adaptable and inventive.
Early Important Figures
Some important early founders of the United States are Washington, Franklin, Jefferson, Sherman, Madison, Adams, and many more. Some with real vision made a serious difference but died too early to be well remembered.
Washington
Washington was a monument to amazing leadership. He had a certain strain of humility sometimes unnoticed. Although not always humble in writing, he nevertheless had a consistent habit of accepting ideas and proposals more intelligent than his own. This required a certain level of humility, especially when his presence and personality commanded men in such a powerful way. He had everyone’s respect, and I’m not sure how.
Franklin
An inventor with his hands in almost every imaginable scientific, social and political endeavor, Franklin was well known in both America and Europe. He was an influential writer and helped found an important college. He seemed to be all over the place in matters of politics and american independence, and was a source of wisdom in the nation's creation. He made many mistakes and learned his lesson, while earning respect and influence. He was "The First American", effectively promulgating ideals of the past, progressive social measures, and scientific enquiry.
Adams
Adams grew up in a modest and religious home in Massachusetts. He become a capable and prominent lawyer, who opposed the Stamp Act and overreaching British control without due representation. He was one of those capable people whose involvement and influence allowed for successful independence and creation of his new nation. His wife is notable as one of those great early woman who understood the cause of freedom and indirectly influenced politics of her day.
Sherman
Had no formal legal training but passed the bar and wrote A Caveat Against Injustice before becoming a Connecticut statesman. He was influential during the constitutional convention and a wise balancing force to the young genius James Madison. He was remembered as being unpolished and to the point. He was the master of practical compromise.
Madison
Considered the father of the Bill of Rights and the Constitution, Madison was a very bright and well educated Virginian. He was a purposed innovator and leading thinker in the creation of the Constitution. His capable imagination and visionary determination were a great asset at the convention, perhaps even causing him to convince Washington to attend, without whom it easily could have failed.
Conclusion
This is hardly scratching the surface, but introduces some early important figures in american history. Many are noteworthy in their own right, but were instrumental in a new age of social governance. Others may have been forgotten if not for their combined effort in creating a new government for a new land.