To MY DEAR MOTHER, WHOSE AFFECTIONATE DEVOTION, FRUGAL ECONOMY, WISE COUNSEL, PATIENT FIDELITY AND CHEERFUL BEARING CONTRIBUTED SO MUCH TO THE ACHIEVEMENTS RECORDED HEREIN, THIS VOLUME IS DEDICATED AS A TRIBUTE OF FILIAL GRATITUDE AND REVERENCE. PREFACE. FOR several years it has been the author's desire that a suitable biography of the FOUNDER OF THE CORNELL UNIVERSITY should be prepared by another, whose cultured pen would invest the work with that degree of interest to which the subject is so worthily entitled. Exacting duties have, however, delayed such an undertaking, and still prevent any reasonable promise of its early consummation. Mainly for the purpose of placing the material in form for safe preservation for future use, this simple record of the leading incidents of his earnest life and untiring labors has been prepared, which, it is hoped, may hereafter serve as a text-book of facts requisite for the more interesting treatment of the subject by other and abler hands. Prepared originally for private use, it is realized that the work is deficient of any literary merit which would justify its publication, and that course has finally been taken only at the urgent solicitation of interested friends. Time has already largely depleted the ranks of those familiar with the early history of the telegraph enterprise in America, and but few now remain with us who participated in the pioneer work with which the subject of this sketch was so intimately associated. Viewed from the standpoint of the wonderful development of the telegraph at the present day, the many interesting incidents which attended the earlier efforts to place this novel invention on a substantial foundation, possess much of the interest of romance. The admirable and intelligent foresight, the energetic labors, the untiring perseverance, and the unwavering faith which distinguished the efforts of this courageous pioneer, contending with the vigorous antagonisms of rival interests, afford a lesson well calculated to encourage the endeavors of others, who find themselves confronted and embarrassed by obstacles which endanger the success of cherished ambitions or objects. Personal incidents and characteristics have been made the subject of more detailed reference than may perhaps interest the general reader. Considering the nature of the work as planned in its |