JUNKIN, William Wallace - 1890 Bio (1831-1903)

JUNKIN, RAMBO, WALKER, GIBSON, COTTON, HUNTER, CLUTTER, SHEARER, BECK, MOORMAN, PATRICK, MORRIS, MCGIFFIN, MCCRACKIN, SWINBURNE, HINKHOUSE

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 8/12/2007 at 11:27:50

Portrait and Biographical Album of Jefferson and Van Buren Counties, Iowa, Printed 1890 by Lake City Publishing Co., Chicago
Pages 299-300

William Wallace JUNKIN, editor and senior proprietor of the Fairfield "Ledger", is the oldest editor in continual service in Iowa. He is also a pioneer of this State of 1843. He was born in Wheeling, W. Va., on the 26th of January, 1831, and is a son of Joseph and Sarah (RAMBO) JUNKIN. His father, a native of Pennsylvania, was born October 20, 1788, and his mother was born in the same State on the 3d of June, 1790. They were married December 20, 1808, and their family consisted of six sons and five daughters -- David Finley, who was born February 12, 1810, married Harriet WALKER, November 13, 1834, and died September 8, 1844; Eleanor, born September 24, 1811, was the wife of James GIBSON and died in 1848; Joseph, born May 2, 1813, died August 14 of the following year; Joseph, the second of that name, who was born February 10, 1815, wedded Mary M. COTTON, on the 8th of November, 1836, and is now a resident of Red Oak, Iowa; Nancy Galloway married Robert S. HUNTER, May 3, 1836, and is living in Newcastle, Pa.; John George, born February 19, 1819, died October 19, 1837; Sarah Margaret, born June 16, 1821, became the wife of George W. CLUTTER, who served as a Captain in the Mexican War and died July 16, 1857, after which his widow, on the 21st of September, 1865, became the wife of the Rev. Frederick A. SHEARER, and is now living in Colfax, Iowa; Mary B. F., born February 24, 1824, died June 18, 1833; Narcissa Doddridge was born April 2, 1826, and on the 1st of March, 1849, became the wife of James Shriver BECK, of Fairfield, Iowa; Matthew Johnson, who was born May 16, 1829, and died in Fairfield a few years ago, was married March 15, 1855, to Ellen E. MOORMAN, who died in 1869; William Wallace completes the family. The father died July 22, 1857, and the mother on the 17th of April, 1865, both in Fairfield.

The subject of this sketch came to Iowa with his parents in the spring of 1843, the family locating in Lee County, but the following year they removed to Louisa County, and in 1845 settled in Jefferson County. Two years later they took up their residence in Fairfield. William Wallace received his first lessons in his present business as a type-setter in the office of the Wheeling (Va.) "Argus", when only ten years of age, and on locating in Fairfield in the fall of 1847, he commenced an apprenticeship in the office of the Iowa "Sentinel", which had been established in Fairfield by A. R. Sparks that year. In the summer of 1848 Mr. Sparks sold the paper to Ezra Brown and R. B. Pope, which threw young JUNKIN out of employment, but his former employer kindly secured him a situation in Des Moines with Col. Barlow Granger, and he aided in issuing the first number of the "Star" in June, 1848, the first paper printed in the Capital City. After remaining in Des Moines several months he returned to Fairfield. During the winter of 1848-49 he was employed in the office of the Ottumwa "Courier", which was published by Street & Warden, and in November, 1849, he accepted a position as a compositor in the office of the Fairfield "Ledger", which only a short time previous had been established by Orlando McCraney. He continued with that gentleman until the spring of 1851, when he went to Richmond, Va., where he was employed two years in the State printing office. On the 16th of May, 1853, he returned to Fairfield, and ten days later he purchased a half-interest in the "Ledger" of its proprietor, A. R. Fulton, for $460, and commenced the newspaper business and the battle of life in earnest. That connection was continued until August 14, 1854, when Mr. JUNKIN became sole proprietor. The paper continued to prosper and made friends among the best people in Jefferson and adjoining counties, and its proprietor improved it as his increased means permitted. On the 8th of August, 1868, he formed a partnership with Ralph Robinson, receiving $2,500 for one-half interest in the office, and the connection was continued pleasantly and profitably until January 5, 1875, when Mr. Robinson retired, receiving $4,500 for his share in the business, power presses and other improvements having enhanced the value of the office to $9,000. On the retirement of Mr. Robinson, the eldest son of our subject, Charles M. JUNKIN, became co-manager, bringing with him into the business not only the experience he had acquired under the careful direction of his father, but the knowledge gained while in the Government printing office in Washington City. On the 26th of May, 1878, he was admitted to partnership with his father, and the existing firm of W. W. and C. M. JUNKIN was established. The "Ledger" has continued a favorite among the pople (sic) and has never flagged in its earnest advocacy of the best and wisest course in all public matters, political and otherwise, and has prospered accordingly.

On the 14th of September, 1854, William Wallace JUNKIN and Miss Elizabeth PATRICK, daughter of William and Amy (MORRIS) PATRICK, were united in the holy bonds of matrimony. The lady is a native of Ross County, Ohio, and came to Fairfield with her father in 1847. Eight children, four sons and four daughters, have been born of their union -- Charles Monroe, the eldest, who was born in Fairfield, May 18, 1855, is represented elsewhere in this volume; May, born August 19, 1856, became the wife of Nathaniel McGIFFIN, May 16, 1877, and is now living in Montana; Gertrude, born September 7, 1858, was married January 3, 1878, to W. W. McCRACKIN, president of The Silver Bow National Bank, of Butte, Mont.; Virginia, twin sister of Gertrude, is the wife of J. B. SWINBURNE, editor of the Humboldt "Kosmos", of Humboldt, Iowa; Amy, who was born February 5, 1862, is the wife of the Rev. J. F. HINKHOUSE, of Lenox, Taylor County, Iowa; William David, born April 13, 1864, is a clerk in the railway mail service; Paul Sheridan, born August 12, 1867, is a practical printer, and until recently was employed in the "Ledger" office; Robert Tupper, born June 23, 1871, is attending school.

Mr. JUNKIN is a Republican in politics and an active and influential supporter of that party. His acquaintance throughout the State and nation is extensive, and his influence in political circles is widely felt. The "Ledger", under his able management, has become one of the leading papers of State, and is always reliable in its devotion to the interests of the Republican party. On the 22d of April, 1889, Mr. JUNKIN was appointed Inspector of Indian agencies under the administration of President Benjamin Harrison, being one of five employed in that department of the public service. The position is one of great responsibility and trust, and from the nature of the duties involved reflects credit upon those selected for the office. While actively connected with the campaign work of his party, Mr. JUNKINS (sic) never consented to be a candidate for office as his newspaper business occupied his time and demanded his attention until his son had become sufficiently experienced to assume its management. All worthy public enterprises enlist his sympathy and support. He was especially active in aiding in the construction of the new Methodist Episcopal Church, and was the recognized financial leader and manager of that important undertaking. His liberality in that direction as well as in the support of the public library and encouragement of railway construction and other enterprises calculated to benefit his city and county, has always been in excess of his means. As a journalist, Mr. JUNKIN takes rank among the foremost men in Iowa, and as a citizen he commands and enjoys the unqualified respect and esteem of a wide circle of acquaintances and friends.

*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.