His father alternated between being a rancher and farmer, and working as a printer in both Portland (for The Oregonian with his older brother Thomas) and Stockton, California (where he owned a small print shop).
Hans far skiftede mellem at være landmand og trykker i såvel Portland (for The Oregonian sammen med sin ældre bror Thomas) og Stockton, California (hvor han ejede et lille trykkeri).