William D. Hinchon

HINCHON, HASTINGS, CHRISTENSEN

Posted By: Allamakee county coordinator (email)
Date: 6/16/2004 at 03:31:09

Though a lawyer by profession, William D. Hinchon has been best known in Madelia as editor and proprietor of the 'Times-Messenger'. The Times was established at Madelia in 1873, as a republican newspaper, while the Messenger came into existence a number of years later, advocating the same brand of politics. Later the two were consolidated as the 'Times-Messenger'. this is now a paper of established influence, with a circulation throughout Watonwan County and extending into Blue Earth County. It has a large and well equipped plant, located in the center of the business district on Main Street, and occupying all the ground floor of a large brick building.

William D. Hinchon was born at Lansing, Iowa, July 21, 1877. His father, J.W. Hinchon, who was born in 1854 in County Cork, Ireland, was a child when the grandparents left the old country and settled in Allamakee County, Iowa. He grew up in that state, attended public schools there, and for a number of years was identified with educational work. He became superintendent of the city schools at Lansing, and afterwards was county superintendent of schools in Allamakee County. From school work he went into the newspaper business at Waukon, Iowa, in 1880, and in 1887 moved to Algona, in that state where he is now proprietor of the Algona Courier. J.W. Hinchon married Jennie Hastings, who was born in New York State and died at Algona in 1888.

William D. Hinchon received his education in the public schools in Waukon and Algona, Iowa, attending high school in the latter place and finishing with one year in St. John's University at Collegeville, Minnesota, and three years in special work in the Academic Department of the Iowa State University at Iowa City. Mr. Hinchon prepared for his profession by two years in the Law Department of the University of Iowa, graduating LL.B. in the class of 1901. Admitted to the bar in the same year, being licensed to practice in both State and Federal Courts, he spent two year in the work of his profession at Algona. Mr. Hinchon in 1905 came to Madelia and bought the 'Times-Messenger', of which he has been editor and proprietor.

He is a republican and is affiliated with the Modern Woodmen of America. In January, 1909, at Madelia, he married Miss Pearl Christensen, whose father, C.S. Christensen, is proprietor of the Madelia Flour Mills. Mr. and Mrs. Hinchon have one child, Ruth Pearl.

-source: Minnesota: Its Story and Biography. Vol. I. Chicago and New York: Lewis Publishing, 1915; by Henry A. Castle; pg. 1729Publishing, 1915; by Henry A. Castle; pg. 1729