Robert Bonner, the proprietor of the New York Ledger, born in Londonderry, Ireland, about 1820, of Scotch-Presbyterian ancestry, is or was a resident of Westchester. While a lad in the printing-office of the Hartford Courant it is said he could set up more type in a day than any man in the State. He went to New York City in 1844, purchasing the Ledger, then an obscure sheet, and brought it to the position it now occupies by engaging Fanny Fern, Edward Everett, Henry Ward Beecher and other eminent writers as contributors.

General Adam Badeau, the author of a " History of General Grant " and numerous newspaper and magazine articles, was born in New York and resided in Westchester County. He was made captain and aide-de-camp of United States Volunteers in April, 18(52, and afterward appointed on the staff of General Sherman. He was severely wounded at Port Hudson, joined General Grant in January, 1864, as his military secretary, with the rank of lieutenant-colonel, and was made brevet brigadier-general United States army for faithful and meritorious services in the war.

He became colonel and aide-de-camp to the general of the army in March, 186j, and continued to May, 1869, when he was retired. He was secretary of legation to the English court at London.

Rev. Wm. E. Turner, of P^lmsford, kindly furnishes the following account of the early life and literary labors of Jay Gould, the noted financier, who, while a mere lad, wrote the history of Delaware County :