unsuccessful. He frequently reproaches himself for not making higher aims, while an apprentice. Through the kindness of his employer, he was permitted to attend school during the days of his probation. The teacher reproached him on one occasion for not preparing, as was the custom, a piece for declamation. But young Shepard, like most other boys of his age, was wise in his own conceit, and very promptly answered his teacher, "I do not expect to become an orator—it is enough for me, if I can make a first rate journeyman Printer!" He was permitted to have his own way, but has ever since deeply regretted his obstinacy, and self-will, and I mention it here, to warn apprentices of the present day to avoid a similar course. There is another point upon which Mr S. always speaks with feeling and earnestness, and his admonition to the young is, "Be not impatient of restraint." He attributes his own preservation from the path of the destroyer, to the pious care of the man who was wisely chosen by his parents to take charge of his youthful career. He says that "in tracing the lives of those youth who did not enjoy the same watchful care, or those who cast off those wholesome restraints, I find many, alas! too many, who have made shipwreck of themselves, and become burthens to society." He also says experience has taught him a wholesome lesson, and he sometimes volunteers it for the benefit of his young friends, who may be endeavoring to clamber up the ladder of life, which is—"Never leave a good situation to embark in uncertainties, without something better than fair words and surface promises from political demagogues, who have 'chestnuts to pull out of the fire.' " This is good advice, and coming from one of the Craft, who already in advance of half a century, is entitled to weight and consideration. It is a warning to the young, and by them should be heedfully considered.
Alvah Strong is one of the partners at present engaged in the publication of the Rochester Daily Democrat, and a man of great perseverance and industry, to whom much credit is due for the advancement of the art in that city.
Ansel Warren, like too many of the Craft, has had more experience in originating and publishing newspapers, than has been a source of profit to him. He has published papers in several counties in this State. Some years since, while printing a paper in Saratoga, Albany Co., his office was totally destroyed by fire. At present he is publishing the "Free Citizen," at Perry, Wyoming County. He enjoys the esteem and respect of the fraternity of his acquaintance, as a gentleman of candor and integrity.
E. J. Roberts, for a while the conductor of a paper in Rochester, was originally in the same business at Kingston, Ulster County, where he printed a paper also called the "Craftsman."—He was doing a fair business, and prospects were bright before him—but, in an evil hour, he purchased a lottery ticket, and had the misfortune, as the sequel will prove, to draw the one half of $20,000! After this Kingston was too small to contain the little body of our friend Roberts. He immediately sold out—repaired to New-York, and there formed a copartnership with M. M. Noah. He and the Major were soon at variance—a personal difficulty ensued, in which tradition says the Major came off second-best—a dissolution followed, and soon after Mr. Roberts made his appearance at Rochester. From thence he went to Buffalo, where he was for some time concerned in the Newspaper Press, from which place he removed to Detroit, where he was similarly engaged. Was Police Justice of the city, and finally Clerk of the Senate of Michigan. Whether he is still a resident of that city or not, is more than I am able to say. Mr. Roberts is by no means deficient in talent, but he is wanting in that firmness and decision of character, which is so essential to success in life. If, in early life, he had learned to "let well enough alone," his success would have been by no means problematical.
Elisha Loomis, who at one time was the Printer of the Rochester Observer, served his apprenticeship in the office of Mr. Bemis, of Canandaigua—went out as Missionary Printer to the Sandwich Islands, and on his return located at Rochester.
Albert G. Hall also printed the same paper, and following the example of some who had preceded him, he filled up his leisure moments by close application to classical studies, and was finally licensed as a minister. He is now the worthy Pastor of the Third Presbyterian Church in Rochester. Here is an example, not only for the apprentice, but for the journeyman also. It only requires the will, and the deed is easily accomplished.
Peter Cherry, the founder of the "Wanderer," has experienced many "ups and downs" since that period. He has acquired the art of Portrait Painting, in addition to that of Printing, and now pursues that of the former profession, in Rochester.
Many names follow as connected with different publications, but with whose private history I am wholly unacquainted, and of whom, therefore, I can say nothing.
George Dawson. Every body knows George. Proud of being a member of the fraternity, he is a good companion, a ready writer, as well as a ready debater, and a man of unconquerable perseverance. In the spring of 1836, he left his post as reporter in the Senate for the Albany Journal, and became one of the proprietors of the Rochester Democrat. In 1839, he sold out, and became interested in the establishment of the Advertiser, at Detroit, Michigan. He was afterwards appointed State Printer, finally sold out, returned to Rochester, and again became interested in the Democrat, but is now one of the Editors and proprietors of the Albany Evening Journal.
Henry Church Frink, although not occupying that prominent position usually pertaining to the corps editorial, but choosing rather a retiracy, possessed a vigorous and well-stored mind. Previous to assuming the editorial charge of the Advocate, he frequently contributed to the columns of the Rochester papers, many valuable articles on intricate subjects connected with Science and the Arts. The Mathematical and Astronomical calculations were furnished by him, to publishers of almanacs in Rochester and other places, for a series of years. He was also the author of a work
