JUNKIN, Charles Monroe - 1912 Bio (1855-1915)

JUNKIN, PATRICK, SLAGLE, BLAIR

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 9/17/2007 at 18:24:41

History of Jefferson County, Iowa -- A Record of Settlement, Organization, Progress and Achievement, Vol II, Published 1912, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago
Pages 12-14

Charles Monroe JUNKIN, trained for newspaper work under the able leadership of his father, William Wallace JUNKIN, one of the veteran newspaper men of Iowa, is not only engaged in the publication of the Fairfeld Ledger but is also associated with his brothers in the ownership and publication of five different papers in this state. This business has been developed along substantial and progressive lines not only in relation to news gathering but also in regard to the organization and actual mechanical work of bringing the papers from the press. The name of JUNKIN is indeed well known to the newspaper world and has become a synonym for a high standard of service and efficiency in this field.

He whose name introduces this review was born in Fairfield, May 18, 1855, his parents being William W. and Elizabeth (PATRICK) JUNKIN, of whom mention is made elsewhere in this volume. At the usual age he became a pupil in the public schools and subsequently continued his education in the Iowa College at Grinnell, and the Denmark Academy of Denmark, Lee county, which was the first high school established in the state. Perhaps both early environment and natural predilection had something to do with his choice of a life work. At all events his boyhood interest in the printing business was followed by actual service in the office of the Fairfield Ledger, where he learned the trade under direction of his father. Subsequently he went to Washintgon, D. C., where he was employed in the government printing office, thus adding to the knowledge which he had already acquired concerning the printing business. Moreover he spent two years as a journeyman printer, working in different offices throughout the country from New York to Salt Lake City and from St. Paul to St. Louis. On the 26th of May, 1878, he was admitted to partnership with his father in the ownership of the Fairfield Ledger and the relationship has since been maintained. Today he is in partnership with his brothers, C. M., W. D. and P. S. JUNKIN, in the ownership of five newspapers and at one time they were the owners of ten well known journals in this state. Their interests include the Fairfield Ledger, the Albia Republican, the Chariton Herald-Patriot, the Creston Advertiser-Gazette, a daily paper, and the Bedford Times Republican. Their business exemplifies all that is most progressive in newspaper publication, both in the matter of news collection and in the work of bringing the material to the public. Every legitimate method has been use to improve their papers and the large subscription list which has been accorded the company makes their papers an excellent advertising medium.

Charles M. JUNKIN, however, has never restricted his labors to the field of newspaper publication. He is a man of resourceful business ability and has become a potent factor in the successful management of various business concerns. He has been and is identified with manufacturing enterprises, with banking interests and commercial pursuits and is a director of the Iowa Malleable Iron Company, has connections with the Hawkeye Pump Company and other manufacturing interests.

On the 8th of September, 1880, Mr. JUNKIN was united in marriage to Miss Grace SLAGLE, a daughter of C. W. SLAGLE, and a native of Fairfield, in which city the marriage was celebrated. In 1897 Mr. JUNKIN was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, and he later married Miss Mary Wilson BLAIR in 1901. Mr. JUNKIN is a member of the Jefferson and Commercial Clubs, both of which he has served as president. In his political views he has always been a stalwart republican and has done effective work in the interests of the party, stanchly advocating its principles since attaining his majority. In 1884 and 1896 he was a delegate to the republican national conventions and was a delegate-at-large in 1900. He has served for three years as a member of the republican state central committee and during one year of that time was its secretary. For three years he was secretary of the Iowa Press Association and for a similar period was secretary of the Republican League of Iowa. During the campaign of 1888 he assisted in organizing eight hundred political clubs in this state and in other ways added in the work of the party. He filled the office of postmaster of Fairfield for six years, during which period the free delivery and rural free delivery systems were installed, resigning his office during the presidency of McKinley. It is a well known fact that in matters of citizenship he stands with all those who are progressive and aggressive in support of public projects and improvements and his influence has been a far-reaching element for good along many lines which have had direct bearing upon the welfare of the state.

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