Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1909-02-24
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- ANERICXlccA

r On January II, 17O6 Benjamin.
Franklin saw the beginning of his loias
life, which fortunately for the world
had other dimensions thar, that az
length. In the young and scrambllns
village of Boston, where he was born
in house opposite the Old South
Street Church, the period Of boyhood
was shortened by the new eountry's
need of producers rather than consum-
ers. Familiar as the story Of George
Washington's Ratchet is the story Of the
quaint, -precocious child who at Z dis
couraged his fathers idea Of devoting
him ITO the church, at 10 helped his
father in the uncongenial trade Of soap
boiler and taliow chandler, and at II
signed an indenture of apprenticeship
binding himself to serve his brother for
nine years as printer.
In Philadelphia, when he arrived
there in 1923, there were but two print
ers. With one ofythese. Keimer, Frank
lin secured employment Through his
work he became. acquainted with Sir
William Keith, the governor OF the
province, who promised to aid him, and
Franklin prepared to go to England to
purchase a press and types. Up to. the
moment Of sailing the governor prom
Used to supply letters of Introduction
and credit, but the promise was broken.
Franklin, boy Of 10, found himself
alone in London, where he easily gained
employment, and where he remained a
year and half.
After this visit in England re re-
turned to Philadelphia in 1924, estab-
llshed himself in the printing business,
published a newspaper, practiced indus
try and frugality, avoided the appear
ance OF evil, married and gradually
rose high in the esteem Of his fellow
citizens.
Through "Poor Richards Almanac"
he preached to the people. He organ
lied societies and clubs; learned
French, Spanish and Italian; served as
clerk of the provincial general assem-
bly, for fourteen years and was then
chosen a member of the assembly It,
self; was appointed postmaster of Phil
adelphia invented the Franklin stove !;
founded philosophical society; start
ed the movement for an academy,
which eventuated into the University
of Pennsylvania organized the Union
Fire Company: helped in the fonnda-
ton Of hospital tried to reform the
night watch; secured city improve
ments; procured horses and wagons to
carry the ordnance and camp belong
ings OF General BraddOck on his III
fated campaign Of the French AID In
dian war, and in every way filed the
position of first citizen of tire province
of Pennsylvania.
When the province Of Pennsylvania
wished a statement of grievances
against the Penns laid before the king
they selected Franklin to represent
them. In 1764 he was again sent forth
to London to petition the king for q
royal government. He returned In l77s
a fortnight after the Lexington and
Concord fights. He was by this time al
old man, but the next two years were
probably the busiest of Lis long life. In
1776 he was elected envoy to France.
and during the revolutionary period
upon him fell the burden of securing
foreign financial aid. 1t was not until
17s5 that he again found himself in
full view Of Philadelphia. So little had
the Journey hurt him that he lived to
attend the constitutional convention IN
1887 and to know that George Wash
lngton would be the first President OF
the republic which he had helped to
found.