82                                                     America's   successful   men.

Micaiah Benedict was a remarkable man. He attended school one summer, when
about seven years old, and never received a day's farther training in any other school
than that of experience. Nevertheless he became a man of extended learning. A local
historian says "that which made him erudite was reading, thinking and remembering"
through his whole life. He read the best books diligently, and, possessing a wonderful
memory, merited more fully than many others to whom the term has been applied the
soubriquet of a "walking encyclopedia." An ardent Democrat, he admired Andrew
Jackson, and served as a local magistrate for many years. He cast his last vote as a
Democrat for Franklin Pierce, and then became a Republican and remained such until
his death in 1881. He was an enthusiastic member of the Masonic order, and lectured
much on the subject of Masonry. For several years he occupied the position of Deputy
Grand Master in this State.

Henry Harper Benedict was born in German Flats, Herkimer county, N. Y., Oct.
9, 1844. His father, anxious that the boy should receive that scholarly tuition which
had been denied to himself, educated Harper at the public schools and at Little Falls
Academy and Fairfield Seminary in Herkimer county. Later the young man spent
some time at Marshall Institute at Easton, N. Y., and then enjoyed the regular course
at Hamilton College, being graduated therefrom in 1869. At college he joined the
Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity.

The young man was an excellent student, and aided in his own education by
serving during 1867 and 1868 as professor of Latin and the higher mathematics in Fair¬
field Seminary.

After completing his college course, Mr. Benedict entered the employment oi
E. Remington & Sons, manufacturers of rifies and guns at Ilion, N. Y., in a confi¬
dential position. He won the respect of his employers at an early period, and showed
so much zeal and talent that he was elected in time a director of the corporation oi
E. Remington & Sons, and treasurer of The Remington Sewing Machine Co. With
characteristic energy he identified himself heartily with the local interests of Ilion, and
for thirteen years was regarded one of the most valued citizens of the place. He
helped to organize the First Presbyterian Church there, and served as an elder,
trustee and treasurer therein. He was also president of The Herkimer County Bible
Society. When The Ilion Literary Association was formed, he became one of its lead¬
ing spirits, and for many years its president. This association held annual courses of
lectures, and Mr. Benedict's duties as president brought him the acquaintance of many
of the most prominent people in the country.

In 1882, having been admitted to membership in the firm of Wyckoff, Seamans &
Benedict, he removed to New York city to engage in the sale of Remington typewrit¬
ers. This remarkable invention made slow progress at first, but, once in practical use
among a number of firms, won its way rapidly into public favor. The machine has
been advertised with great ingenuity and energy, and its sale is now world-wide. In
1886, the firm purchased the entire typewriter plant of the Remingtons, including all
rights and franchises, and have since conducted the manufacture as well as the sale of
the machine, attaining a remarkable success.

In 1884, Mr. Benedict made a first trip to Europe in the interest of his firm, and
has since been abroad many times, both for business and for pleasure. In his trips,
his family usually accompanies him.    He has had charge of the foreign department of