Victor was born in
Sandusky, Ohio to Henry Clay Victor and Gertrude Nash Victor, and had seven siblings; his father operated a hotel in Sandusky. He studied in the
Norwalk Seminary and graduated in 1847. He decided to pursue writing as a profession and in 1852 was hired as an assistant-editor of the
Sandusky Daily Register. After marrying
Metta Victoria Fuller in 1856, he moved with his wife to New York City where he edited the
Cosmopolitan Art Journal and other publications. In 1861,
Erastus Flavel Beadle recruited him as an editor for the Beadle firm, and Victor worked there for the next thirty-six years.
Gilbert Patten wrote, "Mr. Victor taught me much . . . He was a cold-appearing, austere man, but one of the kindest and most helpful editors I've ever known." and
History of American Conspiracies. In 1863 he visited England and published a pamphlet there entitled, "The American Rebellion; Its Causes and Objects: Facts for the English People." ==Family==