Litchfield enquirer., 1850-12-26
,JOurneyman Printer.


following brief biographical sketch OF Mr.
Iohn Paterson. man whose vast and va
,;ous attainments would, but for his Sc
cl,,ded habits and innate modesty' have
long since won fame and fortune. Inc
cleaned Blacksmith, unwilling that his
liobt should be hid, took the tide at It's
Hood and has made the most OF his &C
,,,;rements. Bat Mr.. Paterson, eminent
as a Mathematician and a Linguist, hay
inc quietly and diligently given his days
to the space-box and his nights to study
is comparatively unknown, Heis never
theless an honor to his craft and to his
country;
Mr. Paterson is a native of New Jer-
sew, having been born at Morrlstown' on
the lth Of january, 1899 he is, there's
fore. in the 51st year of his age: AT the
aaeof 4 years, he removed with his pa
rents to Canada, His father was a shoe
maker by trade, and died poor; his
mother is still living and resides in Cam
ada near the city Of Hamilton. Mr.. T.
was apprenticed to an uncle to learn the
house carpenters business. At this en-
ployment he continued about three years.
when his uncle met with reverse of for
tune. which compelled his nephew to
n,,rsua some other calling for livell-
hood.
We shortly after find him in Buffalo,
where he acted as clerk in a drug store
for about three months, when the offers
of Mr.. Salisbury, a stationer of that city,
induced him to take a position under the
tree Of knowledge. In connection with
their bookstore, the Messrs. Salisburys
published paper called the Buffalo Ga
ssette, which paper having contained Ii
bel, the proprietors were sued. and ludg~
ment rendered against them for $4,000.
They at once proceeded to smuggle their
stock into Niagara, Canada, and sent John
there for the purpose Of disposing of it.
He obtained part Of building occupied
bv a printer, and then disposed of the
stock of books which he had on hand, in
about 8 months.
Being again thrown on his own resour-
ces, he agreed to set type for Mr. Fergu-
son, publisher Of the Niagara Spec ator.
At this time, the celebrated Robert
Gourlay contributed to its columns, and
being a radical reformer, he libeled the
Government. For this species Of enjoy
ment. Mr.. Ferguson was imprisoned, his
paper ceased its existence, while Paterson
was again compelled to- seek his fortune
elsewhere. It was bis intention then to
90 to Montreal but finding it impossible
there, he was compelled to iool 4, : 10
Black Rock, and not having means to pay
his ferriage, returned to Buffalo. At
this latter city he. remained three years,
during which time he learned his trade
that Of printerl in the office of D, RI.
Day, publisher Of the Buffalo Journal.
After having visited and worked in num-
Der of places, he took up his residence in
this city, in the year 1922, a residence
that he has continued to this day. His
first work in Albany, he found at E. W.
SINNERS.
The degree of A. NJ. was conferred on
MIR. P. in the year 1886. by Union Col
lege.
AS we mentioned last week, Mr.. Pater>
SON is a scholar in every sense OF the
term. He is not only thoroughly versed
in every branch of Mathematics, but can
read and write Greek, Latin. Hebrew,
and Arabic. with as much ease and tiu-
ENJOY as he can English, In the different
living languages he is equally well posted
mp, and is probably the only man on
earth who can converse in every language
spsaAa, in Europe. His great work,
"The Calo.ls.a7of Operations" has just
issued from the press, an1is, in the opin-
ion of scientific men. one of tho most pro.
found productions that the Mathematical
world has yet given to society.
From what we have written above, the
reader will perceive that MFR. Paterson il
not only self-made, but most perse
vering man. With no aid but industry
and no higher salary than that which i
bestowed on Journeyman Printer, MI
Paterson has become not only thoroughly
acquainted with every department of hu
man knowledge, but has acquired hand
some little property, and owns one of tn
best select libraries in the city. Th
latter contains some 5000 volumes, Will
its estimated worth is put down at 600t
dollars.
A week ago. we stated that John Pat
erson, Of Albany. was the most extraor
binary man ia America. The above facts
we think, prove it. In our opinion, ma
ture will produce half dozen Shaks
peres before she produces another maj
whose requirements will compare viii
those belonging to this modest and un
pretending printer. TO our young MGR
the history Of this unaided genius. shout
act as a stimulus to exertion. Havin
the same means Of progression, the
should endeavor TO emulate his success