The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1870-04-21
Mark N POynerOv.

Mark ". Pomeroy is striking instance
of the power of an indomitablc viii and a
sraigh,forwardness OF purpose to coutrol
adverse circumstances, and TO mould re-
note chances to positive advantage. 1t Is
true, tina, our social and political !nstitu-
tons offer facilities for the development of
he Individual by tar mo.e favorable
/ than those OF any other country; but even
! here, millions live aud die unknown, and
where so many strong minds are struggling,
! from out the inert masses, RJ the surface.
1t must be master>splrlt which shall e
bow his way through the crowd TO posi-
tlon OF dominant control
Mark NJ. Pomeroy was born in the then
village of Eimira, Chemung county, New
York, Christmas Day, lS33-not at LAW
renceyille, PenGsy ylvaHia. az stated by BIZ
ographer. His fathers nam, is Hunt
Pomer0y, at that time leading jew eler
ana matchmaker Of that village-now res
iient OF California, where the subject cf
our sketch has two half brothers living.
About Z year after his birth, his mother
died, when he was taken from his broken
up home of his father to that Of his moth
er's brother, Seth NJ. Whsli-a farmer and
black living near Elmira where he
passed the first sixteen years OF his life,
working In the shop, on the farm, driving
team, and doing ''man's work generally.
he began his life with the clear under
standing in his own mind that he had to
work. La fact, he had always worked,
from those unnamable chores which
abound on farm where there are no spare
hands, to the more serious labor of plant
ing, getting out timber, and the general
teamwork, which tries alike the endurance
and the physique.
\ yung Mark hated this class of work,
but he looked upon it as probation neces-
saiy before beginning the business Of life in
earnest. His was the philosophy of per
feet organization, mental and physical.
His bodily health enabled him to accom-
plish easily that which would have taxed
the endurance OF most men, while his men
tai health developed In remarkable actlv
lty, and a happy, elastic and equable tenn
per, caused hi II to pass lightly over the
] troubles and the Ills which would have
made other boys dcspond, and to look for
ward, through the clear light Of his intelli-
Sence, and sustained by 4 consciousness Of
Inner power, 10 time when lie would dis
Eute with circumstances, and control
events to his Will
At sixteen years Of age, he packed up
all his worldly goods in very small packs
aye, and started off to learn the trade of
printer. He commenced his apprentice
ship upon the Corning JouTaal where he
dlyiqed his time between striving hard to
poetry, sketchcs-an0nym mously ly-tor other
/ papers.
! In 1853 he went to Canada West in
! search Of better wages, and beautiful
! young lady; but the result was, in neither
/ case, satisfactory. La 1881 he determined
to start paper himself in Corning. He
needed type aud all the appointments of an
Office; but he had 10 money. His PROPOSE
/ ton vas laughed at, of course; but he
knew that it cou'd be done somehow. He
! went to New York, saw the great tyre
/ founder, Conner, who recognized the true
metal IN the strange young man, believed
/ in his honesty, anl trusted bis word. He
started his paper, made decided success,
and paid his debt of honor to hi. kind
! friend in need-Alr Connor.
At this period he married, and after sat
istying various calls from other places to es-
tablish papers, finally started to seek for
tune in the " est, arriving at La Crosse in
l16o. There he purchased share in the
| Caion and Democrat, published by his
retired from the business. The new part
ners not agreeing, Mr.. Pomeroy eventually
and with much difficulty, started the La
| Crosse Democrat, bitterly opposed to the
policy Of the Government during tie war.
His articles soon created vast audience,
who believed and approved running up the
circulation Of the La Crosse Democrat to
the astounding number of three hundred
thousand copies weekly. This gave him
power VII .ch could not be ignored, and the
Government sought Is every means to eth
er change his opinions or suppress his pa
per. he was ultimately lot alone; but with
this cessation Of persecution, his influence
did not die out. His dirsctness bis earn
estEeSs of purpose his determined advo-
cacy OF the political and social rights Of the
worklDgmeD, have perpetuated his inhu-
ence, and Won TOR bin favor with large
class of our community.
| Mark VI. Pomeroy, or, as the people love
to call him, Brick Pomeroy, has, of course,
grown rich he has to great extent, built
up La Crosse. and has naturally prospered
with its prosperity. Besides his own
| splendid Democrat building he has recent
y erected beautiful and commodious
opera house, which is boon of great
worth 10 the citizens of La Crosse. But
the great source Of his wealth and power
will be found IN the great journals which
he controls. The New York Democrat, an
evening paper successfully established here
in spite Of the most deadly opposition, has
already reached commanding circulation.
! Pomeroy's Dcnocrdt is one of the most
| popular and iutGencia! weeklies publish ID.
He also owns ana controls the La Crosse
daily and the La Crosse weekly Democrat
| published In that city, each Of which has
! vast circulation.
In addition to his brilliant campaign
'stumping' flowers, be is one OF the most
! popular lecturers of the day Like all
earnest natures, he has keen sense of
( humoT, and his lectures contain So much
I direct common sense. combined with Aa>hts
/ OF humor, and passages Of simple Tut in
/ tense TathoS. that they are irresistible and
/ never tail to delight lhronged audiences.
| In private life he is frank, kind, and
courteous; eirincully social, though be
neither drinks nor snl 0.es full OF fun, and
rarely busy, although hard worker
/ Chimney Corner.
{