William Stoddard facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
William Stoddard
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| Born |
William Osborn Stoddard
September 24, 1835 Homer, New York
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| Died | August 29, 1925 (aged 89) Madison, New Jersey
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| Occupation | Businessman |
| Spouse(s) |
Susan Eagleson Cooper
(m. 1870) |
| Children | 5 |
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William Osborn Stoddard (1835–1925) was an American author, inventor, and an important helper to Abraham Lincoln when Lincoln was president for the first time.
Contents
William Stoddard's Life Story
William Osborn Stoddard was born in a town called Homer, New York, on September 24, 1835. His parents were Prentice S. and Sarah Stoddard. He went to the University of Rochester and did very well, graduating with honors. Later, on July 25, 1870, he married Susan Eagleson Cooper. They had five children together.
Early Career and Newspapers
William's father owned a bookshop, and William worked there when he was growing up. This might be where he first fell in love with books and writing! After college, in 1857, William started working as an editor for a newspaper in Chicago called the Daily Ledger. By 1858, he had become the main editor and owner of another newspaper, the Central Illinois Gazette, in Champaign, Illinois.
Working with President Lincoln
William Stoddard knew Abraham Lincoln and worked hard to help him get elected president. Because of his efforts, he received a job in the government. First, he worked as a clerk in the Interior Department. Then, on July 15, 1861, he got a special job: "Secretary to the President to sign land patents." This meant he helped with official papers for land ownership.
After a short time serving in the Army, Stoddard became an Assistant Private Secretary to President Lincoln. He was one of only three people who did all the office work for the White House during the early part of Lincoln's time as president. One of his first jobs was to read many newspaper articles and summarize them for Lincoln. However, this job stopped because, as Stoddard said, "Mr. Lincoln never found time to spend an hour upon laborious condensations."
A very important moment in history happened when Stoddard personally made the first copy of the rough draft of the Emancipation Proclamation in September 1862. This was the famous document that declared many enslaved people free.
Later Life and Inventions
William Stoddard got sick twice with typhoid fever, which is a serious illness. Because of his health, he left his job at the White House in July 1864. On September 24, 1864, he was given a new job as the United States Marshal for Arkansas. But in 1865, he had to resign again because of his health.
After leaving government service, he moved to New York City and worked in the financial district called Wall Street. He returned to government work for a short time from 1871 to 1873, working for New York City's Department of Docks.
Stoddard published his first book in 1869. He was a very busy writer, creating both poems and stories. He wrote over one hundred books in total! A large number of these, 76 books, were written especially for boys.
Besides writing, William Stoddard was also an inventor. He received nine patents for his inventions, which means he officially owned the rights to his new ideas.
He passed away at his home in Madison, New Jersey, on August 29, 1925.
William Stoddard's Books
William Stoddard wrote many exciting books, especially for young readers. He often wrote adventure stories and historical tales. Some of his well-known books include Two Arrows - A Story of Red and White and The Lost Gold of the Montezumas: A Story of the Alamo. He also wrote books about famous people like Abraham Lincoln and the lives of the presidents.
Images for kids
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Illustration of Two arrows - a story of red and white (1886)
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The Lost Gold of the Montezumas: A Story of the Alamo (Illustration by Charles A. Stephens)
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