He was much persecuted by lion hunters, and therefore had to keep his lodgings something of a mystery.
So little is known of Artemus Ward that some biographic particulars may not in this connection be out of place or lacking in interest.
Charles F.Browne was born at Waterford, Maine, the 15th of July, 1833.
His father was a state senator, a probate judge, and at one time a wealthy citizen; but at his death, when his famous son was yet a lad, left his family little or no property.

Charles apprenticed himself to a printer, and served out his time, first in Springfield and then in Boston.

In the latter city he made the acquaintance of Shilaber, Ben Perley Poore, Halpine, and others, and tried his hand as a "sketchist" for a volume edited by Mrs.Partington.His early effusions bore the signature of "Chub." From the Hub he emigrated to the West.

At Toledo, Ohio, he worked as a "typo" and later as a "local" on a Toledo newspaper.

Then he went to Cleveland, where as city editor of the Plain Dealer he began the peculiar vein from which still later he worked so successfully.
The soubriquet "Artemus Ward," was not taken from the Revolutionary general.