Benjamin Franklin

Book ExcerptCHAPTER I. Parentage and Early Life. The parentage of Franklin--His parents emigrate to America--Character of his father--Abiah Folger, his mother--Birth and baptism--Influence of his Uncle Strong--Of the Whistle--Childish exploits--Uncongenial employment--Skill in swimming.--Early reading--Boston at that time--An indentured apprentice--Form of Indenture--Enters a printing office--Fondness for reading--Anecdotes--Habits of study--Fondness for argument--Adopts a vegetable diet--The two creeds. About the year 1685, Josiah Franklin, with his wife and three children, emigrated from Banbury, England, to seek his fortune in this new world. He was in all respects a very worthy man, intelligent, industrious, and influenced to conduct by high moral and religious principles. Several of Josiah Franklin's neighbors accompanied him in his removal. Boston was then a straggling village, of five or six thousand inhabitants. In front spread