Journalist; born in
Cairo, N. Y., Nov. 15, 1797; became an orphan in early childhood, with a very scant school education; learned the printer's trade.
When fifteen years of age he entered the army as a volunteer, serving throughout the
War of 1812 as quartermaster-sergeant; at the age of twenty-one began the publication of a newspaper, the
Agriculturist, at
Norwich, N. Y. Two years later he founded the
Onondaga county Republican.
He was unsuccessful, and worked as a journeyman printer until 1825, when he was engaged to edit a daily paper at
Rochester, N. Y., an anti-masonic paper, and was twice elected to the legislature.
In 1830 he became editor of the
Albany Evening journal, in opposition to the “
Albany regency,” the nullification policy of
Calhoun, and also to the policy of
President Jackson, and conducted it with great ability more than thirty years. Throughout this period he was influential in both State and national politics, and became known as the most adroit of party managers.
He was an original leader of the Whig party, active in the election of
Governor Seward in 1838 and 1840, in
President Harrison's nomination in 1836 and election of 1840, in
President Taylor's and
General Scott's nominations in 1848 and 1852 respectively.
He advocated the nomination of
Seward for the Presidency in 1856 and 1860, and cordially supported
Fremont and
Lincoln.
In 1861 he went to
Europe with
Archbishop Hughes and
Bishop McIlvaine, under a commission from the national government, to endeavor to prevent foreign recognition of the
Confederacy.
On his return he settled in New York City, where he edited the
Commercial Advertiser till ill-health caused his retirement in 1867.
He published
Letters from Europe and the West Indies, and
Reminiscences in the
Atlantic monthly in 1870.
He died in New York City, Nov. 22, 1882.
His
Autobiography was published in
Boston in 1833.
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