The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-01-16

 to George Washington, Benjamin Franklin was the best known Amer ican of the 18th Century. He was re- nowned wherever civilized men gath cred, in the circles of philosohy, sci- ance and politics as one of the fore- most men of his time. His personal ity was so delightful that everyone who met him was charmed. His ver- satility seems to have known no bounds, but it was through his sound Judgment, common sense and clear thinking that he was able to attain his striking success. So great and a comprehensive work could do jus tice to his many accomplishments.
 This great hero of the Revolution- ary war and warm friend of Wash ington, was born in Boston, on January IF, 1706. The 225th anniver- sary of Franklin's birth is the occa- sion for statement from the divi- sion of information and publication of the George Washington's bicenten- nial commission which pays tribute to the memory of the great Ameri- can and calls upon all his country men to honor him. The service which Franklin rendered to his country during the struggle for liberty is in- valuable. The aid which he obtained from France insured to the United States the lasting benefits of the vic- tories which Washington won on the battlefield. In fact, if Franklin had not been able to persuade the French to come to the assistance of the col onies. perhaps Yorktown never would have taken place.
 Early School Days
 When young Benjamin was eight years old his father sent him to a grammar school and later to a some what technical institution in Boston where he learned arithmetic. This was the extent of the boys schooling for when he was ten his father set him to making candles. This was 50 distasteful to the lad that the elder Franklin became apprehensive lest he run away to sea. To forestall any thing of this sort Benjamin was ap- prenticed to his half brother, James, who was a printer. Here his mind de- veloped rapidly. At his brothers shop he came in contact with the lib- eral element of Boston and from his reading of Locke, Buyan, Plutarch, Defoe and Mather he imbibed broadening philosophy. ''The New England Courant," published by James and Benjamin, was called the
 AioI oSAo"lioioi newspaper III America
 But trouble was brewing, and, in 1723, the 17-year old Benjamin quar- relied with his brother and went to Philadelphia. Everyone is familiar with the story of Franklin's entrance into that city which has been pie tured in school books to the great amusement of many young readers. As he walked down the street eating from a loaf of bread carried under his arm he must have presented an appearance far from suggestive of the famous man he was destined to become.
 Studied Printing
 Obtaining employment in the Quaker City, Franklin soon attracted the attention of William Keith, the governor of Pennsylvania, who per- suaded him to go to London to study and to purchase equipment for a printing office. Keith promised the boy letters of introduction and cred 1t. but when Franklin arrived in London he found that the governor had not kept his word. Almost pen- niless and without friends in that city, his condition was acute, but he soon obtained employment and made many friends. One of these was a " Denham who offered the youth a po- sition in a store he was opening in Philadelphia. Accordingly, Franklin returned to that city in 1726 after having spent nearly two years in London. Within a short time Den- ham died, and Franklin found him. self out of a job, but this may have been good thing for the youth be- cause his next step was an important one.
 In 1728 Franklin established a printing house with Hugh Meredith. and in ten years had made it the most successful business of it's kind in America. At this time he also pur- chased the Pennsylvania Gazette, a moribund newspaper which under his management gained circulation of about 10000 and became one of the most prominent papers in the country. Soon afterward he began one of the most prominent papers in the country. Soon afterward he be- gan to publish his famous Poor Richards Almanac" containing the pithy maxims which retain their po- pularity to this day. and from which he made his fortune. He also became public printer of Pennsylvania which added to his prestige, and in 173O he married Deborah Read with whom he had fallen in love some years be- fore.
 Organizes Clubs, Societies, etc.
 During the next twenty years Franklin's popularity and activity steadily increased. He organized and became prominent in the Leathern- apron club, which he called the Jun- to and in which he learned the es- sentials of leadership. He organized the first fire company in Philadel- phia, founded the American Phil- osophical society, became postmaster Of Philadelphia, invented a stove, ac- quired interest in several of the con- tinental colonies and in Jamaica and became clerk of the Pennsylvania