He received his education at the academy in his native town, and, deciding on a business career, went to work for a bookstore in Springfield.

After two years of this experience, he returned to accept a more important commercial trust in Monson, but soon found his way to New York City.

[1] He took over the publishing operations of Munn & Company, a New York patent firm, with Salem Howe Wales and Alfred Ely Beach as editor.

[1] In 1876 the demand upon its space was so great, owing to the increased interest that resulted from the Centennial Exposition, that a Scientific American Supplement was started.

[4][5] Among the earliest requests made to the publishers of the Scientific American was for advice concerning the procuring of letters-patent for new inventions, there being at that time no professional patent solicitors.