Henry Walker Herrick, son of Israel E. and Martha (Trow) Herrick, was born in Hopkinton, Aug. 23, 1824. His mother, from whom he seems to have derived his artistic tastes, was educated at a boarding school in Charlestown, Mass., where she learned to do some creditable work, specimens of which her son shows to visitors with commendable pride. Her best work, however, was done in fostering in her son his early inclinations, for at the age of eight years she taught him to paint flowers and kindred natural objects. His education, begun in the common schools, was continued at Hancock Academy. Becoming interested in wood engraving, he studied the art two years by himself, and found employment in Concord and Manchester as an engraver.

At the age of twenty Mr. Herrick went to New York and began his studies at the National Academy of Design. His progress was such that after six months he began book engraving in the service of the Appletons, working for several years largely on the designs of Felix O.C. Darley, then the leading American artist in genre pictures. During this time Mr. Herrick executed commissions for Harper & Bros., the American Tract Society, Carter Bros., and other firms. In 1852 George L. Schuyler, grandson of Gen. Philip Schuyler of Revolutionary fame, and Mary Hamilton, grand-daughter of Alexander Hamilton, started the school of design for women at the corner of Broadway and Broome street, New York, and Miss Cordelia Chase of Hopkinton, said to be a relative of Salmon P. Chase, was made its principal.

It speaks well for Mr. Herrick's artistic standing at that period in New York that he was introduced to Mr. Schuyler by Benson J. Lossing, the well-known historian and artist, as fitted for the position of teacher in the new school. He continued his connection with this school for six years, during two of which he was principal, until its union with Cooper Institute. About this time he received an invitation to assume charge of the art department in Yale College, the foundation of which was given by Mr. Street, a wealthy patron of Yale, He continued, however to do work for New York houses, the American Bank Note Company, and others, among other things redrawing designs for the Imperial Bank of Russia.

After twenty-one years spent in New York, Mr. Herrick returned to Manchester in 1865, still continuing work as designer and engraver for firms in the metropolis. He also executed the illustrations for the large volume of AEsop's Fables, issued by Hurd & Houghton. He has done some good work in oil, but in these later years he has distinguished himself by his work in water colors.

Many years ago, however, he gave proof of his worth as an artist by his beautiful drawings of birds, done for Prang, which in natural color and pose have not since been excelled. Today it is as a landscape artist that he is conspicuously good, and he finds in the scenery around Manchester themes worthy of his pen and pencil. He has exhibited pictures in oil and in water color in the Academy of Design, in the American Water Color Society, and in the Boston Art Club, and also placed in the Centennial exhibition in Philadelphia studies from a favorite subject, the life of Gen. Stark. He is the author of "Water Color Painting," a standard work, published by Devoe & Co., profusely illustrated and colored by hand.

Mr. Herrick is a man of independent character, of indomitable industry, and for many years was the only resident artist who pursued his vocation as a life work. He came to Manchester in 1842, and from the first he has encouraged in every way the growth of art in the city, has been one of the main pillars of the Art Association, has given courses of free lectures on art which were largely attended by the best citizens, has seen his pupils growing up around him, and still does not abate his early enthusiasm.

Mr. Herrick is a member of the First Congregational Church, has devoted much time to mission work, and has always been an advocate of whatever promotes the moral and religious welfare of the city. He married, in 1849, Miss Clara Parkinson of New Boston. THey have three sons: one a minister in Minneapolis, Minn., one an accountant in the auditor's office, Manchester, and one a civil engineer. Mr. Herrick is the author of "Stark at Bennington and at Home."