He was generally to be found at home, at his studies, when other boys of his age were attending horseraces, cock-fights, and other vicious amusements for which the village was famous.
"At this time he organized with persevering effort, a literary society, in which discussions took place by the intelligent inhabitants on subjects of popular and learned interests.

At an early age, I think sixteen, he went to the west, and the first that was afterwards heard of him was his bringing to New York a splendid collection of the mineralogy and natural history of the west." [5] [Footnote 5: Letter of L.L.Van Kleeck, Esq., to Dr.R.W.Griswold, June 4th, 1851.] In a part of the country where books were scarce, it was not easy to supply this want.

He purchased several editions of English classics at the sale of the valuable library of Dirck Ten Broeck, Esq., of Albany, and his room in a short time showed the elements of a library and a cabinet of minerals, and drawings, which were arranged with the greatest care and neatness.

Having finished his primary studies, with high reputation, he prepared, under an improved instructor, to enter Union College.

It was at the age of fifteen that he set on foot, as Mr.Van Kleeck mentions, an association for mental improvement.