Wisconsin tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1847-1854, 1851-02-06
From the albany n. T. D,achmay
4 Learned JOurneyman Printer.

Mr.. JoHN Patterson is native of New Jer-
sey, having been born at Morristown on the / 1th
of January, 1893; he is, therefore, in his fifty
first year. AT the age of four years he removed,
with his parents, 10 Canada. His father was a
shoemaker by trade, and died poor; his mother
is still living and resides in Canada, near the city
of Hamilton Mr.. p, was apprentced to an uncle
to learn the housecarpenter's business At this
employment he continued about three years. when
his uncle met with a reverse of fortune, which
compelled his nephew to pursue some other call
ing for livelihood.
His next attempt to be useful was as ofice-boy
to a country physician, with whom Mr. P, re
mained until he was nearly as well read in n,edi-
cine as his employer 1t was doubtless to the
Doctors Library that Nj. Patterson is mainly
indebted for the literary tastes by which his after
life has been so singularly distinguished
Quitting the doctor, we shortly after find him in
Buffalo where he acted as clerk in drug store for
about three months when the offers and well-hlled
shelves Of Salisbury, stationer of that city, in
duced him . to throw physic to the dogs, and
take position under the tree that brought bushes
and aprons into the world-the tree Of knowledge
In connexion with their book store, MeSsrs Sails
bury published paper, called the Buffalo Gazette
which paper having contained libel, the propri-
etors were sued and judgment rendered against
them for $4,000 They at once proceeded 10
smuggle their stock into Niagara, Canada, and
sent John there for the purpose of dsposing of it
He obtained part OF building occupied by a
printer, and then disposed OF the stock Of books in
about eight months.
Being again thrown on his own resources, he
agreed 10 set type for Mr. Fmgusou, publisher of
the Niagara Spectator, Atthis time the celebrat-
ed Robert Gourley contributed to It's columns. and
being a radical retormer, he ibeIled the Govern
ment For this species of enjoyment Mr.. Fer
guson was imprisoned, his paper ceased its exist
ence, while Patterson was again COMPELLED to seek
his for tune elsewhere. It was his intention then
to 90 to Montreal; but, finding II impossible to
raise the necessary means to carry him there, he
was compelled to foot it to Black Rock. and no.
having sufficient to pay his ferriage, return
ed 10 Buffalo. AT this latter city he remained
three years, during which time he learned his
trade, Chat of printer,) in tie Office of D. NJ.
4 Day, publisher of the Buffalo Journal After hay
ing visited and worked in a number Of places, he
took up his residence this city. in the year SO
a residence that he has continued TO this day. His
first work in Albany he found at Z. W. SINNERS
The degree of a. NJ, was conferred on Mr.. P
in tie year 1896 BY Union College.
As we mentioned last week, Mr.. Patterson Is a
scholar in every sense Of the term. lie is not on
ly thoroughly verscd in every branch of mathe-
mates, but can read and write Greek, Latin, He
brew, and Arabic, with as much ease and huency
as he can English. In the different living Ian,
guases he IS equally well posted up, and is prob
ably the only man Oh earth who can converse in
every language spoken in Europe. bis great
work entitled the Calculus OF Operations, has
issued from the press, and is, in the opinion Of
scientific men. one of the most profound produc-
tons that the mathematical world has yet given
to society.
I From what we have written above, the reader
viii perceive that Mr.. Patterson IS not only self
made, but most perseverng man. With aid
but industry, and no higher salary than that which
/ is bestowed J@rDeynIan printer Mr.. Pat
terson has become not only thoroughly acq amt
ed with every department of human knowledge,
but has acquired handsome little property, and
owns one of the best selected Libraries in the city
The latter contains some three thousand Volumes
while It's estimated worth Is put down at $4,000.
/ a week ago we stated that John Patterson, OF
Albany was the most extraordinary man in Amer
lea The above facts. we think, prove il. In our
opinion, Nature will produce half dozen Shaks-
peares before she produces another man whose
LII.
10 this modest, unpretending printer. To our
young men, the history of this unaded genius
should act as a stimulus to exertion; having the
same means Of progression. they should endeayor
to emulate his success
Before we conclude this rather hasty sketch, we
may as well render it little more complete by
stating that Mr. Patterson married, in s4s, Miss
Orilla Bosworth, Oy whom he has five children
the eldest, Eliza IS married 70 Charles G. Russ Of
this city MIR. P. still works at journey work
his present employer being Joel Munse of State