The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1904-09-07

The Chicago Tribune mas prepared
a brief sketch Of sixteen Americans
who have gained pro ninence in the
first rank of our citizens in various
walks Of life, and several of whom are
known to the confines OF the civilized
world. The list begins with Thomas
A. Edison, who was newsboy at s
years Of age and owned the exclusive
right 70 all papers sold on the Grand
Trunk Railroad before he was 20.
While running this business he made
experiments in chemistry, which re-
suited in setting fire to the car. He
then took up telegraphy and soon made
his first invention, which allowed the
sending of TWO messages at once over
one wire.
Grover Cleveland helped his family
before lie was Ii by working in a coun-
try store. Later he studied for the
law, and at the same time supporting
himself by clerical work. After he
was admitted TO the Bar he was soon
given full charge Of the office in
which he worked at salary of $500
per year.
Alton B. Parker began teaching
school at the age of 16, with the hope
of going to Cornell. He entered q
law Office instead at Kingston, attend
ed law school at Albany end returned
TO Kingston to practice twelve years
later with partner named Kenyon.
He was elected surrogate Of Ulster
County during this time, and became
power in politics, and was nominated
by his party for the Supreme Bench,
with the unusual experience of the
Republicans refusing to nominate an
antagonist.
Benjamin B. Odell went into the
ice business with his father when he
was -. and began by delivering ice
from the wagon. He used the oppor.
tunity to win votes for his father,
who was running for county office,
and from that time became his cam
paign organizer. He soon extended
his own business activities to all sorts
OF public Improvements in his home
city Of Newburgh, and began his own
political life as leader Of ward in TIE
Legislature,
Stephen NJ. Merrill worke at the
shoemaker's trade at night during the
time that be was getting h!s sdnoa.
tion for the ministry. He studied
while working with his book propped
open on a wooden bracket. This was
at Greenfield, Ohio, where he had
already united with the church. He
was licensed to preach three years
later and was appointed to his first
church at Monroe, Ohio. He i'm
mediately began that close application
to study which has resulted in his
scholarly attainments.
ShFuIuhl OlUDUuS worked lot
time as clerk when boy and then
decided to enter the priesthood. He
received this trend from religious
parentage, and after receiving his
education, entered the service of the
church, first as curate, then as rector
in Baltimore suburb. He was next
made secretary to Archbishop Spauld-
ing.
Simon Newcomb grew up With
wonderful aptitude for books, and
was considered failure on this &C.
count, and because he was not sue
cess at farming. He absorbed enough
knowledge from country school aad
doctors library to secure the position
of school teacher in Maryland and
while here sent mathematical and as-
Economical calculations to the papers.
These attracted attention, which led
to his receiving an appointment on
the Governments nautical and as
Economical almanac.
Charles w. Fairbanks learned the
trade of carpenter 30 that he might