was a nephew of the somewhat celebrated M. M. Noah, of New-York—he continued its publication for a short time—sold out, and returned to New-York. If I mistake not he is dead. He was succeeded by
Thomas B. Barnum, who continued the paper for a few years. Mr. B. was a young man of respectable acquirements, but before time and experience had given scope for their full and complete development, he was called to his last account.
W. W. Phelps started the "Phoenix" in 1827, the year succeeding the outrage upon the person of Morgan. The paper was intended as an organ of the Antimasonic party, which by that time had begun to assume a political aspect. It soon after passed into the hands of R. Royce, of whom I know nothing. Of Mr. Phelps, I can only say, that he has left the Press, and taken to the Pulpit. He Joined the Mormons, and when last heard from, he was at Council Bluffs.
Orville L. Holley was for a time at the head of the "Repository" establishment. He is a man of more than ordinary talent, and while under his charge that paper was sustained with considerable ability. Mr. H. was afterwards Surveyor General of the State, and at one time, if I mistake not, associated with Mr. Ward, of New-York, in the publication of the "Anti-Masonic Review". I am informed he is now a resident of Troy, and has been the Editor of the "Albany Daily Advertiser."
Morse & Harvey took the "Repository" from Mr. Bemis. In 1835, Mr. Harvey died. Mr. Morse is still living, but not, I believe, connected with the Printing business. Since the death of Mr. Harvey, the paper has passed into various hands, and is now under the control and management of
George L. Whitney, through whose exertions and preserverance the former creditable reputation of the paper is kept up and sustained.
I regret very much that the means have not been placed within my reach by which the history of the "Ontario Messenger" could be traced up to the present time. It has passed through many hands since it was relinquished by Mr. Stevens. At one time it was under the control of Thomas B. Hahn, who relinquished it on being appointed postmaster of Canandaigua, but I cannot tell who are the conductors of it now.
There are some reminiscences connected with the "Messenger" office, personal to the writer of these pages, which I cannot refrain from mentioning. It was the first Printing Office that I ever beheld, and its workings were a mystery, too deep and subtle for my youthful mind to fathom. Having a brother, Oran Follett, an apprentice in that office, I was of course more frequently led to visit it than I should otherwise have done. It was in that office that I obtained the first money that I ever received from my own labor! The amount was 6¼ cents, and was the reward for my labor in folding a certain number of papers. These circumstances were no doubt the determining points, which finally induced me to become a Printer.
MONROE COUNTY.
Printing was first introduced into what now constitutes the City of Rochester, and present limits of Monroe County, in the year 1816. In years that are past, the site of that city was familiarly known as the "Mill Yard!" In vain does the early settler look for the foot-path, the trail, that used to lead him to the fording-place of Genesee River. It is not so much the lapse of time that has obliterated these old land-marks, as it is the progressive and onward march of the arts and civilization. These have stripped the land of its forest-trees—have raised those many and valuable monuments of taste, religion, and industry, which are, I might almost say, the peculiar characteristics of the City of Rochester. Forty years ago, and Rochester was surrounded and embedded in a wilderness—then, instead of the busy hum of life, the progress of the destiny of man, the hammer of the mechanic and artizan, was only to be heard the roar of its cataract, the notes of the bird of night, or the howling wolf! But a change has come over the face of nature, and the wild and picturesque, have receded before the beautiful and substantial monuments of man's genius and industry, and reveal to our view the City of Rochester in all the pride of its young, but proud spirit.
Even in its infant state, Rochester had excited the hopes and aspirations of a member of the Craft. To the mind of Augustine G. Dauby, then an apprentice with Ira Merrill, in the office of the "Utica Patriot," it offered inducements for the establishment of a Printing Press. Accordingly, early in the year 1816, he commenced the publication of a small sheet, called the "Rochester Gazette." Sometime afterwards John Sheldon became associated with him. Mr. S., I believe, continued in the establishment about ten months, and then removed to Detroit. Oran Follett was, for a brief period, in company with Mr. Dauby. In 1821, he disposed of the establishment to Levi W. Sibley. After the separate organization of Monroe County, the title of the paper was changed to that of "Monroe Republican," and was under the charge of Derick Sibley, and Levi W. Sibley, until November, 1825, when it passed into the hands of Whittlesey & Mumford, who, in company with Edwin Scrantom, continued its publication until July, 1827, when they sold out, and it was merged in another paper.
In 1818, July 7, Everard Peck & Co., in connection with their Book-Store, established the "Rochester Telegraph," the mechanical department of which was conducted for about a year by Derick Sibley, aided by his brother, L. W. Sibley. In 1824, it was enlarged, and Thurlow Weed employed as Editor of the paper. In 1825, Mr. Weed purchased the establishment, and, with
