Norman, Andrew, and Selkrig Bruce emigrated from Edinburgh, Scotland to Maryland in the second half of the eighteenth century. They were all children of Charles Bruce and Helen Cleland. Selkrig married Robert Dods. Descendants of all three lived in Maryland, New York, Ohio, Missouri, California, Iowa, Pennsylvania and elsewhere.

Joseph Gehman Horning was born 28 September 1855 in Pennsylvania. His parents were Moses M. Horning (1830-1906) and Lavina M. Gehman (1832-1897). He married Elizabeth Bauman Good (1852-1937), daughter of John H. Good and Lavina Bauman. They had ten children. Descendants and relatives lived mainly in Pennsylvania.

In Every Root an Anchor, writer and arborist R. Bruce Allison celebrates Wisconsin's most significant, unusual, and historic trees. More than one hundred tales introduce us to trees across the state, some remarkable for their size or age, others for their intriguing histories. From magnificent elms to beloved pines to Frank Lloyd Wright's oaks, these trees are woven into our history, contributing to our sense of place. They are anchors for time-honored customs, manifestations of our ideals, and reminders of our lives' most significant events. For this updated edition, Allison revisits the trees' histories and tells us which of these unique landmarks are still standing. He sets forth an environmental message as well, reminding us to recognize our connectedness to trees and to manage our tree resources wisely. As early Wisconsin conservationist Increase Lapham said, "Tree histories increase our love of home and improve our hearts. They deserve to be told and remembered."