Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1861-04-27
Anniversaries-No. 6.

he was enabled to procure thorough
education, and graduated at college
after two years studious application
He then commenced the study of law
under Geo. Wythe, and entered the bar
in 1867. Two years after, he was elec-
ted a member of the provincial legisla-
ture, and in that body made an earnest,
though truitless, effort for the enamel
patton Of the slaves. In 1875, he was
chosen to ell vacancy in Congress,
caused by the resignation OF Peyton
Randolph. He was appointed on the
committee to draft a Declaration of In
dependence, Of which instrument he is
considered the author, but it is we'll
known that DR.. Franklin and John Ad-
ANS made lamentations to the one draf
ted by Jefferson before it was submit
ted to that body. In 1916, he retired
from Congress, and took seat in the
Virginia Legislature, to which he had
been elected. June l, 1910, he was
chosen Governor Of Virginia, in which
capacity he served two years, when he
resigned, ''from belief" as he says,
'that, under the pressure of the inva-
sion under which We were then labor
ing, the public would have more conf
dence in military chief, and that, the
military commander being invested with
the civil power also, both might be
welded with more energy, promptitude
and effect, for the defence of the State,''
In 1888, he was again elected to Con
gress' In IS, he was appointed Min
lister to France. In 80, he was select
ed by Washington as Secretary of
State, and continued to ell this post I'M
til 1898, when he resigned, and lived in
retirement until '97, when he was cleo
ted Vice President of the e. States,
and, at the expiration of his term of
office, was chosen President by a ma
jority Of one vote over Mr.. Adams
He was reelected in 1905, and, at the
expiration Of this term, he again retired
to private life, from which he never af-
terward emerged. He died on the 4tE
of July, 1926, the fftieth anniversary
Of the adoption Of the Declaration of
independence, and within the hour in
which he had signed it. He was the
acknowledged leader of the Republican
party, from the period of its organiza-
ton down to that of his retirement from
public life. His name is one of the
brightest in the revolutionary galaxy.
Wed'oesday, april 17.-This is the
anniversary Of the death Of Benjamin
Franklin, having died April II, 1890,
at the age Of eighty four. When nine
years old, his father employed him at
cutting candle wicks, filing moulds, &c.
IN his candle and soap manufactory.-
The boy was disguised with this occu-
patton, and he prevailed upon his father
to allow him to learn the printing busi-
ness with an elder brother This pur-
suit served to appease his thirst for
reading in some measure, and be devo-
ted his leisure hours in perusing such
books as bis limited resources would
permit. When sixteen years old, he
became vegetarian, abstaining from
the use Of flesh altogether. His broth
er started the second newspaper in
America, in Boston, and because Ben
had secretly written some articles which
were we'll received, he was severely
reprimanded for his presumption and
treated with great harshness. He Sc
cret,y embarked for New York, and
falling to find employment there, he
started for Philadelphia on foot, and ar
rived there with his pockets stuffed with
shirts and socks, and a lonely dollar in
his purse. Here he obtained employ
ment at ''sticking type" but soon left
for London, where he tarried eighteen
months. Returning to Philadelphia, at
the age Of twenty-five, he started a
newspaper. 1t was conducted with
signal ability and tact, and won for the
young editor an enviable reputation
In 1892, he was elected to the provin-
cial assembly. In 10, he invented the
"Franklin Stove" for which he refused
a patent, on the ground that such in
yentions ought to be made at once sub
seryient to the common good of man.
kind. In '46, he invented the lightning