Editing Horatio Alger (section)

=== Childhood: 1832–1847 ===
Alger was born on January 13, 1832, in [[Chelsea, Massachusetts]], the son of Horatio Alger Sr., a [[Unitarianism|Unitarian]] minister, and Olive Augusta Fenno.<ref>Hoyt 1974, pp. 7, 9.</ref><ref>Scharnhorst 1980, pp. 17–18.</ref>

He had many connections with the New England Puritan aristocracy of the early 19th century. He was the descendant of [[Pilgrim Fathers]] [[Robert Cushman]], Thomas Cushman, and William Bassett. He was also the descendant of Sylvanus Lazell, a [[Minutemen|Minuteman]] and [[Brigadier general (United States)|brigadier general]] in the [[War of 1812]], and [[Edmund Lazell]], a member of the [[Constitutional Convention (United States)|Constitutional Convention]] in 1788.<ref>Scharnhorst 1985, pp. 5–6.</ref>

Alger's siblings Olive Augusta and James were born in 1833 and 1836, respectively. A disabled sister, Annie, was born in 1840, and a brother, Francis, in 1842.<ref name="Alger277">Alger 2008, p. 277.</ref> Alger was a precocious boy afflicted with [[myopia]] and [[asthma]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.online-literature.com/horatio-alger/|title = Horatio Alger - Biography and Works. Search Texts, Read Online. Discuss.}}</ref><ref>Scharnhorst 1985, p. 10.</ref> but Alger Sr. decided early that his eldest son would one day enter the ministry. To that end, Alger's father tutored him in [[classical studies]] and allowed him to observe the responsibilities of ministering to parishioners.<ref>Hoyt 1974, pp. 10–11.</ref>

Alger began attending Chelsea Grammar School in 1842,<ref name="Hoyt14">Hoyt 1974, p. 14.</ref> but by December 1844 his father's financial troubles had worsened considerably. In search of a better salary, he moved the family to [[Marlborough, Massachusetts]], an agricultural town 25 miles west of [[Boston]], where he was installed as pastor of the Second Congregational Society in January 1845 with a salary sufficient to meet his needs.<ref>Scharnhorst 1985, pp. 11–13.</ref> Alger attended Gates Academy, a local [[University-preparatory school|preparatory school]],<ref name="Hoyt14" /> and completed his studies at age 15.<ref name="Scharnhorst14" /> He published his earliest literary works in local newspapers.<ref name="Scharnhorst14">Scharnhorst 1985, p. 14.</ref>