JOSEPH HENRY. 



1799-1878. 



THE popular mind often fails to distinguish between the 

 scientist and the inventor between one who discovers new 

 truths and one who applies truths already known to a useful 

 purpose. Sometimes the two functions are united in the same 

 person, but more often he who is intent on enlarging the bounds 

 of knowledge feels that he has no time for tilling the field that 

 he has won. On the other hand a chance to make a rough way 

 smooth or to save a waste of energy or material, is what appeals 

 most strongly to the mind of the inventor. While the inven- 

 tor, like Atlas, takes the world upon his shoulders, it is the dis- 

 coverer who furnishes a support for Atlas. The subject of the 

 present sketch belonged to the latter class. 



Joseph Henry was born in Albany, N. Y. There is good 

 authority for Dec. 17, 1799, as the date, but owing to the entry 

 in the family Bible not being distinct, the year is sometimes 

 given as 1797. One of his daughters writes " I have always 

 thought he numbered his years with those of the century," 

 meaning that he was born in 1800, but her impression is not in- 

 consistent with the date here adopted. His grandparents on 

 both sides came from Scotland in the same vessel, reaching 

 America on June 16, 1775. His mother's family, whose name 

 was Alexander, settled in Saratoga County, while the Henrys, 

 whose name had been Hendrie, took up their abode in Scot- 

 land, in Delaware County, N. Y. When Joseph was seven years 

 old he was sent, for what reason is not known, to live with his 

 grandmother Alexander at Galway, Saratoga County, where he 

 attended the village school. Of William Henry, his father, little 

 is known. He died when Joseph was eight or nine years of age. 

 When he was ten years old Joseph was put to work in the store 

 kept by a Mr. Broderick at Galway, but having his afternoons to 

 attend school. He showed no marked fondness for books until 



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