THE
PRESS
(page 376-377)
There is no instrumentality, not even
excepting the pulpit and the bar, which exerts such
an influence upon society as the press of the land.
It is the Archimedian lever that moves the world. The
talented-minister of the gospel on the Sabbath day
preaches to a few hundred peole; on the following
morning his thoughts are reproduced more than a
thousand fold, and are read and discussed throughout
the length and breadth of the land. The attorney at
the bar, in thrilling tones, pleads either for or
against the criminal arraigned for trial, often
causing the jury to bring in a verdict against the
law and the testimony in the case. His words are
reproduced in every daily reached by the telegraphic
wire, and his arguments are calmly weighed by
unprejudiced men and accepted for what they are
worth. The politicain takes the stand and addresses a
handful of men upon the political qustions of the
day; his speech is reported and read by a thousand
men for every one that heard the address. Suddenly
the waters of one of our mighty rivers rise,
overflowing the land for miles and miles, rendering
thousands of people homeless and without means to
secure their daily bread. The news is flashed over
the wire, taken up by the press, and is known and
read of all men. No time is lost in sending to their
relief - the press has made known their wants and
they are instantly supplied. "Chicago is on
fire! Two hundred millions worth of property
destroyed! Fifty thousand people rendered
homeless!" Such is the dread intelligence
proclaimed by the press. Food and clothing are
hastily gathered, trains are chartered, and the
immediate wants of the sufferers are in a measure
relieved.
The power for good or evil of the press, is to-day
unlimited. The short comings of the politician are
made known through its columns; the dark deeds of the
wicked are exposed;l and each fear it alike. The
controlling influences of a Nation, State or county
is its press, and the press of Clayton County is no
exception to the rule. Since Henry S. Granger started
the Clayton County Herald, in 1853, the press
of Clayton County has been an important factor in all
things tending to the general welfare of the county.
CLAYTON
COUNTY HERALD
(page 377)
This was the first newspaper
established in Clayton County. Its publication
commenced Jan. 28, 1853, a few weeks later than
originally intended. Had its first issue appeared
when intended it would have been the first paper
north of Dubuque, but the Lansing Intelligencer
was issued a week or two previous. Henry S. Granger
was editor and proprietor, and the sheet was a six
column folio. In his salutatory the editor said:
"In politics we are--no matter what. The Herald
will be neither Whig nor Democrat, but will, as far
as possible, give the people news of the day, and
keep its readers advised of the proceedings of all
parties, without expressing a decided opinion as to
the particular merits of eighter, believing as we do
that much good and some evil belong to each."
At the expiration of a year and a half Mr. Granger
retired from the editorial chair, disposing of the
office to A. W. Drips, who on assuming control, wrote
one of the shortest salutatories on record. It is as
follows:
"I have bought the Herald
office, and will assume its responsibilities. The
paper will remain neutral in politics. With respect,
A. W. Drips."
Mr. Drips continued alone in the
publication of the Herald until Nov. 17, 1856,
and under his management it ranked among the best
county papers in the State. On the 17th he associated
with him in its publication John McBride.
THE
CLAYTON COUNTY JOURNAL
(page 377-382)
The Journal is the successor
of the Clayton County Herald, and made its
first appearance at Guttenberg, Thursday, May 6,
1858, Williard F. Howard, Editor and Publisher. It
was printed on the type with the press that formerly
printed the Herald The salutatory of Mr.
Howard was short, opening with an apology, and
informing his readers that it was his first newspaper
experience. In politics the Journal proposed
to advocate the principles of the Republican party,
"believing," so the salutatory read,
"that the principles of that party are the true
principles on which our Governement was founded, and
if properly carried out will add the greatest good
and glory to the Union. We have no sympathy with the
present administration (that of President Buchanan)
except such as may arise from pity of the
unfortunate." A. W. Drips, former publisher and
editor of the Herald took leave of his readers
in this number of the Journal, as follows:
"Six years ago we indulged ourself with the
pleasing idea that we were "permanently
located" in Clayton County. That idea, like the
permanent location of the county seat, has proved to
be a delusive one. The county seat has said
"good-bye" to two county seats since our
first location in the good county of Clayton. It is
now our lot to bid "good-bye" to the old
and new settlers of the county with whom we have had
intercourse every week for five years past. And it is
no easy task to say farewell to those whith whom we
have been in such intimate relationsip; so we will
say but little and be gone. Indeed, we are not sure
but it would have been best to have kept silent
entirely; but we know that in our career as editor we
have made many friends--real friends--and we
could not help saying to them: We have known, felt
and appreciated your very many noble acts of kindness
toward us, and in our heart of hearts we will bear a
strong recollection of the kindnesses wherewith you
have brightened the dark hours of an editor's life.
And to those who have been our enemies during our
sojourn in Clayton County, we will say: Honi soit
qui mal y pense, which in plain English is:
"Go to thunder, my honies!" Good-bye, all!
and we "dry up!"
The Journal was a six-column folio and was
well filled with interesting reading matter. The
fourth number contained at the head of the first page
the name of Aldpheus Scott, as proprietor, and Mr.
Howard, as editor and publisher. No explanation was
made. The fifty-first number Mr. Howard's name
appears again as proprietor, and he announced in the
editorial columns that he has purchased the office
and all outstanding accounts and wanted all the money
that was due. The office was at once removed to
Garnavillo, which by a vote of the people had once
more become the county seat. On the 4th of August,
1859, Mr. Howard's valedictory appeared, the office
having been disposed of to Joseph Eiboeck, who
retained control for many years.
Joseph Eiboeck
is a Hungarian by birth, but was raised and educated
in Germany, and speaks fluently several different
languages. He learned the printers' trade before
coming to Clayton County. He came here in 1856. Among
his first acquainteances was Judge Murdock, whom he
met on the public square and informed that he was a
printer and out of money, and looking for employment
of some kind. He was referred to the Herald
office, where he labored as a journeyman printer
until he purchased the office from its owner, Alpheus
Scott. Murdock says of this purchase: "Everybody
looked upon this purchase as a child's bargain on the
part of Eiboeck, and Scott often told me that the
paper would come back to him. Eiboeck, however,
plodded along with his paper week after week, and
month after month, not knowing a week in advance
where the next week's supply of paper was coming from
on which to print its columns. The county printing at
that time was but small, and quite a large amount of
that had been paid for in advance to the old
proprietor. Without money and without any prospect of
an income, and with a large debt hanging over him,
accumulating every day, the prospects must have
looked gloomy, indeed. But there was one thing alone
that saved him from utter ruin and disaster, and that
was his personal integrity, which, during the most
trying position of his life, he never for a single
moment suffered to be marred. He always seemed to
consider this integrity as so much stock in trade or
as a deposit in bank of which he could at all times
during dark hours draw, and have his checks honored,
and which deposit must always be kept good though the
heavens fall. In a few years he paid off the mortgage
on his office, freed himself from debt, and owned no
man a dollar."
During the war he visited Washington, passed over
the Potomac to the headquarters of the army, where
his gentle manners and pleasing address made him a
welcome guest, and from here he corresponded with his
own paper. He has traveled this continent from ocean
to ocean, explored the Pacific coast from California
to Vancouver, and everywhere stored his mind with
observation and facts.
In 1873 he was appointed by Governor Carpenter to
represent Iowa at the World's Fair in Vienna. During
this trip he visited many cities in Europe, took
notes, and from them compiled several interesting and
valable letters. He is an easy, correct, pleasing and
fluent speaker. He is now in Des Moines, editor of
the Iowa Anzeiger.
Mr. Eiboeck sold out in June, 1872, for political
reasons, to Junius W. Shannon, an editor of long
expereince.
Junius W. Shannon
was the son of Robert Emmett and Nancy (Daniels)
Shannon, and was born in Will County, Ill., in 1835.
His father was of Irish, and his mother of
French-Irish descent. Until seventeen years of age
Junius spent his life largely on a farm. At nineteen
he went into the office of the Sterling Times,
beginning at the bottom as a "printer's
devil," and in nine months had editorial charge
of the paper. He never completed a regular
apprenticeship at the printers' trade, but picked up
the art in a few years. He edited papers at Sterling
and Morrison, Whiteside County, until November, 1858,
when he moved to Fayette County, Ia., spending a year
or more on a farm. In 1860 he started the North
Iowa Observer at Fayette, meeting with good
success. Seven years later, in connection with C. H.
Talmadge, he started the West Union Gazette,
another success. In 1871 he took charge of the Iowa
State Reporter at Waterloo, and the next spring
when the Cedar Rapids Daily Republican was
started, he became its cheif editorial writer, and
remained in that position until he purchased the Clayton
County Journal. In 1873 he was appointed
Postmaster. Mr. Shannon read law and was admitted to
the bar, but not liking the profession, he never
practiced. In boyhood he was an Abolitionist, and
since he was old enough to vote has acted with the
Republican party.
Jan. 1, 1880, J. F. Thompson and C. B. Macdonald
bought out Shannon and Company, and the Journal
was published by this firm until November of the same
year, when Mr. Thompson retired from the paper
(selling his interest to Mr. Macdonald) to accept the
postion of Clerk of Courts, to which he had been
elected. A sketch of Mr. Thompson is given in the
chapter entitled "National, State and County
Representation." [Chapter XI] Mr. Macdonald was
then sole proprietor until Jan. 1, 1881, when he sold
a one half interest to George W. Thomas, of Lansing.
George W. Thomas
was born at Lansing, Iowa, July 6, 1857. He was the
oldest son of J. W. and Nancy (Lemen) Thomas, natives
of Missouri. J. W. Thomas removed from Missouri to
Wisconsin at the age of sixteen. He taught school in
Iowa County and at Potosi for some time, during which
he became acquainted with George W. Gray. In 1856 Mr.
Gray went to Lansing, where he opened a general
store, and Mr. Thomas followed soon after to the same
place, going into his employ. Shortly before the war
Messrs. Gray and Thomas started a private bank. After
the national baniking law was passed, they converted
their bank into a national bank, with a capital of
$50,000. Mr. Gray was President, and Mr. Thomas,
Cashier. Mr. Gray disposed of his interest in the
bank about 1872, adn removed to Salem, Oregon, where
he has taken a prominent station in life. The bank
was again made a private bank in 1881, and is now
controlled by J. W. Thomas and Co.
George W. Thomas, our subject, lived at home until
he was of the age of ninetten, when he went to the
Lenox Collegiate Institutie, at Hopkinton, Delaware
County. Here he remained two years, taking the
collegiate course. After leaving this institution he
entered the Lansing Mirror office, where he
was employed till December, 1880. The first of
January, 1882, he took as partner Andrew P. Bock. Mr.
Thomas is unmarried. In politics he is a steadfast
Republican. His ability as an editor is universally
admiteted, and his friends prophesy for him a
successful career. He is young and energetic, and a
witty, easy and forcible writer.
Andrew P. Bock,
the present partner of Mr. Thomas in the management
of the Journal, was born in Kronkorp, Sweden,
March 31, 1857. He was the son of Charles J. Bock and
Mary Haney, natives of Sweden. Charles J. Bock is a
blacksmith by trade, and still works at this in
Lansing, Allamakee County, though now fifty-six years
old. He has had eight children, seven of whom are now
living. Andrew P. is the fourth son. In 1867 the
family emigrated from Sweden, landing at New York.
Proceeding westward they remained in Chicago five
weeks, and then came to Lansing, where the family
still live. Four of Andrew's brothers now live at New
Albin -- Alfred, in partnership with a Mr. Lane in
the dry goods business; William O., clerking for this
firm, and Charles G. and John J. manufacture wagons.
Mary J. and Edward are at home, in Lansing. Edward is
a successful telegraph operator.
Andrew P., our subject, was eleven years old when
the family emigrated to America. He had attended
school in Sweden four years. In Lansing he attended
the public schools for five years, until he was
sixteen years of age. Nov. 3, 1873, he entered the
office of the Lansing Mirror, then published
by James T. Metcalf. Andrew P. here remained five
years, the first three of which constituted his
apprenticeship, and the last two of which he worked
as journeyman printer. He has always been devoted to
the "stick," and his success in the
management of the Journal is due to his long
expereince as a practical printer.
In September, 1878, he left Mr. Metcalf, an
employer for whom he still retains the kindliest
feelings, and went to Austin, Minn., into the office
of the Mower County Transcript, managed by C.
H. Davidson. He worked here three years, but during
this time, in 1880, he went to Lime Springs, Howard
County, Iowa, and purchased the printing office and
outfit of the Lime Springs Tribune. He took
Mr. George C. Burdick as partner, and leaving him to
manage the Tribune, Mr. Bock returned to
Austin. In 1881 he went to Lime Springs again and
remained there three months. He sold out the Tribune
and outfit to H. M. Daniels, who is still running it.
Jan. 5, 1882, he came to Elkader and succeeded C. B.
Macdonald as partner of George W. Thomas in the Clayton
County Journal, which is now published by Thomas
& Bock.
THE NORTH
IOWA TIMES
(page 382-384)
The Democrats of Northeastern Iowa
agreed in 1856 that a paper ought to be started in
consonance with their principles. They believed that
it would be well supported, for there was at that
time no Democratic paper in Iowa north of Dubuque and
east of Osage, while there were of Republican and
neutral papers sometimes two in each county.
Accordingly the first number of the North Iowa
Times was issued Oct. 10, 1856, in the midst of
an exciting presidential campaign, and from the first
boldly advocated the election of James Buchanan, and
opposed that of John C. Fremont.
The Times was published by F. W. D. Merrell
and A. P. Richarson, the latter of whom was editor.
In the first number of the Times, which was of
four pages, seven columns to the page, appeared the
names of Buchanan & Breckenridge at the head of
the second page. Then followed the opening article of
greeting to the public, accompanied by a statement of
the principles of the Times, and of the
reasons for its establishment. There was a historical
account of McGregor, with an exhibition of its
prospects, a little over a column in length. The
remaineder of the second page was taken up with
various notices and announcements and one political
editorial. On the third page was a descriptive
account of Straweberry Point, and a column or so of
locals. The remaineder of the third page and the
whole of the fourth page, except a column containing
the prospective railroad and a village directory of
Clayton County, was occupied by advertisements. A
fact worthy of mention is that four whole columns
were taken by mercahnats of Monona, where the paper
was originally to have been started. The first page
was filled iwth two columns of advertisements and
five of miscellaneous reading. Thomas Updegraff,
County Clerk, reported the valuation of Clayton
County in this issue, and the total was $3,112,074.
Mr. Merrell was with the enterprise but two weeks
when he retired, leaving Colonel Richardson sole
editor of the Prairie du Chien Courier.
May 15, 1857, the paper was increased in size to
eight columns to the page. April 14, 1858, Mr. C. C.
Fuller became associated editor, a position which he
filled about seven months, when he retired. Andy J.
Felt was admitted May 23, 1860, as associate edotor,
as private affairs required Colonel Richardson's
attention part of the time. Mr. Felt retired in a few
months.
In the issue of April 24, 1861, the announcement
was made that George W. Tenney, formerly of the
Monroe (Wis.) Sentinel had become a joint
proprietor in the publication of the Times.
Says Mr. Richardson in introducing Mr. Tenney to his
readers:
"It is proper to inform the readers of the Times
that Mr. Tenney entertains Republican sentiments, and
in order to meet each other half way, burying the
appellations which have distinguished both of us as
partisans, we have agreed to withdraw the Times
from its position as Democratic and call it
Independent. If this change in its course offends any
of our present subscribers, they need feel no
delicacy in letting us know it, and in stopping the
paper. We never publish people for stopping our
paper; if it is not welcome at the fireside, or in
the counting room, we would not let a man have it
though he paid three prices for it. It has been so
near independent for four years, with the exception,
perhaps, of short periods immediately preceding hotly
contested elections, that the change will not be
serious to me. Political discussions of a partisan
character never had many charms for the undersigned,
and as the distinctive featurews of all platforms are
now merged in the noble motto, 'LIBERTY and UNION,
now and forever, one and inseparable,' we feel that
is an auspicious moment to declare our independence
of all recent or remote party obligations. As the
education of each of us has been radically different,
it will not be surprising to see an occasional
contrariety of learning in this discussion of
subjects; but the reader will know at once that those
articles which squint toward Republicanism are Mr.
Tenney's, and those which lean the other way are
mine. It is not our intention to write to suit either
party, but from long habit it will be impossible to
prevent the views we entertain from cropping out.
Trusting that our readers will be charitable toward
our weknesses in this respect, we fling our banner to
the breeze inscribed alone, 'The Constitution and the
Union.' The motto which I have carried at the head of
this paper since its first issue, 'We march with the
Flag, and keep step to the music of the UNION,' is as
good a sentiment as we want--appropriate
then--appropriate to-day--appropriate all the time.
This sentiment will stay where it is till the last
hope of a restoration of peace and harmony has
expired."
In August, 1861, Mr. Richardson retired from the
paper, and the Times was then published by
George W. Tenney and John H. Andrick, the latter of
whom is now editor and proprietor. Mr. Tenney retired
in August, 1863, and was succeeded by Colonel
Richardson. The paper, after being independent in
politics for over two years, now became Democratic
once more, under the management of Andrick &
Richardson.
Milton Goddard, from his twenty years' connection
with the Times as foreman, was so widely known
through the country as to deserve mention in this
sketch. He began work under Andrick & Richardson,
in September, 1861, and remained almost continuously
till the month of March, 1882, when he retired. He
was succeeded as foreman by William J. Wallis, who
commenced as "devil" in the Times'
office in February, 1858.
The Times came out in heavy mourning in
Decmber, 1870, the cause being the death of Col.
Richardson. For the following sketch of this able
journalist, we are indebted principally to the files
of the Times:
COL.
A. P. RICHARDSON
(page 384-389)
.. for most of fourteen years
editor of the Times, was born in Philadelphia,
May 28, 1818, and was in his fifty-third year at the
tiem of his death, which occurred Dec. 5, 1870. When
quite young, his parents emigrated to Southern Ohio,
where they remained until he was in his nineteenth
year, when they removed to Northern Indiana. Her he
won an enviable reputation as a teacher, for which
occupation his active, cultivated mind made him so
well fitted. At the age of twnety-two, he was joined
in matrimony to Miss Harriet, daughter of Rev. Paul
Egbert, of whom he was often heard to speak oas being
possessed of rare qualitites of mind and heart, and
with whom he lived during the few years she was
spared to him in the most perfect felicity. In time
he became united in a second marriage to Miss
Caroline, sister of his first companion, who stood by
him and smoothed the pillow upon the dying loved
one's bed, and who felt his loss most deeply. During
this period of his life he became prominent in the
State as a newspaper correspondent and competitor of
Vice-President Schuyler Colfax, with whom, although
differing widely in political opinions, there ever
existed the warmest and most kindly friendship. It
was during his residence here, also, that he received
the appointment of Colonel of the State Militia; but,
being greatly averse to anything like pomp or tinsel
show, refused to accept that appointment. He was in
consequence of this appointment, however, ever
afterward known and addressed by that title. At the
death of his father, whose colse companion he had
been from the decease of his mother in his early
childhood, and whose great worth and noble mind he
inherited, he visited the people of his life
companion at Monona, in this county, who had in the
neantime located in that village. It was while on
this visit that he recieved intelligence of his
nomination to the State Senate for the counties of
St. Joseph, Marshall, Fulton and Starke. He was
elected to that office and served his term not only
acdeptably, but with distinction. While in the Senate
Chamber, as all through his career in life, he had
the good of the people at heart. Here he battled
successfully with all the various forms of fraud and
corruption, and won the warmest friendship of his
constituents and the people of the State generally.
At the expiration of his term of office as State
Senator of Indiana he removed to this county, and, in
1856, established the Times. Col. Richardson
was acknowledged by rivals to have been one of the
most popular editors in the State of Iowa. His
writings were pithy, terse and expressive, and spiced
as he only could make them. He controlled a most
versatile pen. Upon subjects requiring the most
profound thought and deepest research, he would lead
his reader from sentence to sentence by an
irrestistible fascination with his pen-pictures until
column after column was pleasantly enjoyed, instead
of being laboriously mastered. From this he had a
faculty which few possess of turning the sheet and
flinging off columns of the most pleasing and
brillant wit and mirth, which sparkled as diamonds in
the sunlight, or, without apparent labor, deal in the
most withering sarcasm or rebuke. This rare ability
which he possessed in pen arguments placed in his
hand was an engine of great power. He never sought to
abuse that power. There was poetry in his prose, and
he was evidently a chief of his profession. He sought
out the gems of literature and loved to follow the
thoughts of the great and noble. He never wearied in
the perusal of his favorite author, Shakspeare [sic].
As in writing, a flow of wit and pleasantry ran
through the whole of his conversation. He was
eminently a socialist. Out of his genial, warm heart
there were going constantly kind acts to all about
him. He never received the most trivial favor from
the most humble without a pleasant "thank
you" slipping off his tonque as though it was a
part of his nature. He could never order even the
dullest menial, part of his nature. He could never
order even the dullest menial, but a pleeasant
request, followed or preceded by "please,"
was natural, and with him irresistable. He could not
witness suffering and want when within his power to
relieve. He was liberal to a fault. He took more
pleasure in giving than in receiving. The children
loved him, and the most humble never passed him
without receiving a kind word. A despiser of every
sort of fraud, he was an honest man in the broadest
sense; he would lose all rather than gain by the
merest semblance of wrong.
Col. Richardson's funeral sermon, preached at the
Baptist Church in McGregor by Rev. W. C. Wright, was
attended by many a sorrowing heart, and during it the
business houses were generally closed from respect to
the memory of the deceased. The reverend gentleman
delivered a very impressive discourse; a portion is
here copied:
"Col. Richardson was a man of more than usual
talent and wit, and had abilities which he might, no
doubt, have used to signal advantage. He seems,
however, to have been in the main contented with his
sphere, and not very much disturbed by ambitious
aspiration. In his temperament he was highly social
and sympathetic, and possessed to more than an
ordinary degree the faculty of making friends among
those with whom he was wont to mingle. In his manner
he was unostentatious and outspoken, with an evident
dislike to all airy pretensions and pompous parade.
Under a somewhat rough exterior, however, he carried
affections that could feel for the needy and
suffering, for whose relief he was ready, not only to
use his pen, but also to contribute freely of his
substance. Having long resided here, and having been
more or less in contact with the public in various
ways, and especially through the weekly paper with
which he was so long identified, he needs no extended
notice from me. His record is made. He has printed
his own impression upon the public mind, and upon the
memories of his many friends. Our office, therefore,
to-day is not to offer fulsome praise, much less to
criticise, but to kindly bury the dead. We have made
our brief, respectful tribute to him as a man and as
a citizen; and now, as we are gathered about his
silent form, which must shortly be lowered into the
earth's maternal bosom, we would feel the fraternal
bond that makes all members of one great family. We
would own the tie which should never sunder us from
each other's generous sympathy and tender mercies.
Here then, while we let fall the dew drops of pity
for a fellow mortal laid low, we would say: Buried
with him be any lingering prejudices of faction or
partisan strife, and here let ungenerous rancor in
silence take her flight. The good qualities that the
deceased displayed in life let us own and imitate;
while mindful of all human imperfections, and
especially of our own, over whatever errors or
blemishes he may have shared we leave the veil of an
oblivious charity, hoping that when we ourselves
shall be brought to paleness and motionless silence,
the measure we now mete to another shall be measured
to us again."
The announcement of Col. Richardson's death
brought out many eloquent tributes form the press of
not only Iowa, but Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin.
The News, the rival of the Times, went
into mourning in the usual manner, as though it had
lost one of its own editors instead of a rival.
John H. Andrick
bought Mrs. Richardson's interest in the Times,
Aug. 28, 1880, and is now sole proprietor. He is ably
assisted by Col. Otis, who for many years has
substained the editorial department of the paper, and
a competent force of practical printers. The
circulation of the Times is from 1,800 to
2,000 and is increasing. The salaries of the employes
amount to $70 per week.
John H. Andrick was born in Chillicothe, Ohio,
April 22, 1834. When quite young his parents, taking
him with them, removed to near Monroe, Wis. Here he
passed his early life on a farm and at school, and in
1851, at the age of seventeen, he commenced clerking
in a store. He followed this occupation five years,
and then set out for McGregor, at that time one of
the best known points in the Northwest. Here he
landed Aug. 9, 1857. In the following month he went
into the general store of G.H. Flanders as a clerk,
remaining two years and a half. In April, 1860, Mr.
Andrick went to the mountains, returning in the early
part of November of the same year. After working
again in a store for a few months, he went into
partnership with George W. Tenney in the publication
of the Times. With this paper he has remained
ever since, a period of twenty-one years. He was
married July 5, 1870, to Mattie J. Scott, daughter of
G. S. C. Scott and Jeannette Moore, a native of
Arkansas. They have two children-- Jessie J., born
Jan. 16, 1876, and Lizzie Scott, born Sept. 22, 1880.
Colonel George H. Otis
was born in Potsdam, N. J., Oct. 10, 1837, and the
first twelve years of his life were passed in that
place. He attended the common schools of Elmira, N.
Y. In 1849 He moved with his father to Racine, Wis.,
where he attended a private school for some time. In
the spring of 1851 R. Otis entered the office of the
Janesville Standard, then published by John A.
Brown & Bro. In 1852 the family removed to
Mineral Point, Wis., and our subject entered the
office of the Mineral Point Tribune, published
by Bliss & Chaney. While living here he attended
school one year. AFter learning his trade he worked
as type-setter on various papers, among which are the
Chicago Journal, Chicago Tribune, St.
Louis Intelligencer, chicago Post, St.
Paul Pioneer, Buffalo Courier, Racine Democrat,
Potosi Republican, Madison Patriok
Prairie du Chien Courier, Mineral Point Democrat,
Mineral Point Tribune, Wabashaw Herald,
Preston Republican, and North Iowa Times.
In April, 1861, he enlisted in Company I, Second
Regiment, Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry serving three
years in that regiment in the Potomac army. He
enlisted as a private, but for bravery and
meritorious conduct was promoted successively to the
rank of Corporal, Sergeant, 2d Lieutenant, 1st
Lieutenant, Captain and Major. He brought the
regiment home to Madison, Wis., at the expiration of
its term of service. He had commanded the regiment at
Gettysburg and in other engagements when his superior
officers were wounded or disabled. He was brevetted
Lieutenant-Colonel by Presidnet Johnson for
conspicious gallantry on the field of Geetysburg. In
1864 He was commissioned by President Johnson Major
of the Eighth Regiment, U. S. Veteran Corps, a body
of picked veterans organized by General Hancock.
Colonel Otis served one eyar in the fortifications at
Washington and New York Harbor. He was elected Clerk
of the Board of Supervisors of Iowa County, Wisc., in
1864, and re-elected in 1866. Colonel Otis moved to
St. Paul, Minn., in 1869, and in the fall of that
year took charge of the Austin Transcript,
then owned by a stock company, of which Hon. Sherman
Page was the principal owner. He was married at
Austin, March 30, 1871. He sold his interest in the Transcript
and went to Decorah, Iowa, and engaged with S. S.
Haislett on the State Press. This not proviing
a profitable adventure, he withdrew and came to
McGregor in the spring of 1872. He commenced work on
the Times, entering on the editoral work in
the spring of the followin year. In January, 1878, in
comapny with A. M. Goddard, he started the Elkader Register.
Mr. Goodard retired after two months, and Colonel
Otis continued in that office till the end of the
year. He then withdrew, and returned to his former
position on the Times, which he has occupied
since.
The Colonel has taken considerable interest in
politics, and as a Democrat has been connected with
various local organizations. For two years he was
chairman of the County Central Committee, and he
served one term as a member of the State Central
Committee. He is a member of the Iowa Legion of
Honor, the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and the
V. A. S. fraternity. In the Pocket City Lodge, No.
37, I. L. of H., he has held the office of Secretary
since its organization. He was Recorder for two yars
in Keystone Lodge, No. 111, and Master Workman one
term. He served in two sessions of the Grand Lodge of
I. L. of H. as representative. He was married in
McGregor, Feb. 19, 1876, to Kate M. Seitz. They have
three children-- Edmund R., Irving J. and Marion R.
THE
MC'GREGOR NEWS
(page 389-394)
The early history of this paper is
difficult to obtain, as there are no files perserved
of more than the last five years. The following
outline of its various changes in management, though
meager, is believed to be correct: It
was estabished in August, 1859, by George Haislett
and S. S. Haislett, under the name of the McGregor
Press. It was then, as now, a Republican
weekly, and its first editor was Orlando McCraney. It
was moderate in views, and a creditable sheet,
editorially and mechanically. It was from the first
pronounced in its opposition to negro equality, to
State aid to railroad schemes, and to Congressional
interference in Territorial affairs.
Mr. McCraney was succeeded in March, 1860, by R.
Tompkins as editor. In July 1860, R. Tompkins and B.
Truax purchsed the Press, and published it
till October, 1861, when it was sold to H. Belfoy.
Mr. Truax is now in Chicago, engaged in the job
printing business. Mr. Belfoy continued its
publication until Nov. 1, 1861, when the paper was
suspended for a time. The office material was soon
disposed of to Willis Drummond, who, Dec. 9, 1861,
began its issue, under the name, "Pocket City News."
Under his management the paper did faily well, but
Mr. Drummond was disposed to join the Union army, and
he accordingly sold the paper in the fall of 1862, to
T. J. Gilmore and W. W. Williams. These gentlemen
continued its publication until August, 1863, when
they disposed of it to George W. Tenney. Mr. Williams
is now in Albert Lea, Minn, the editor of the Freeborn
County Standard. Mr. Tenney, in turn, sold the
paper to T. J. Gilmore, in October, 1864. R. Tompkins
again became editor, and continued as such until
April 6, 1866, when Willis Drummond became
propriertor.
Willis Drummond published the paper for about two
years, and then it passed successively through the
hands of Tompkins & Gilmore, and Douglas
Leffingwell. Under Mr. Leffingwell the News
was not a financial success. The paper was suspended
for a time. Before its suspension, however, another
paper had been started in McGregor, known as the Home
Journal. This was started by one McClaughrey, of
Dubuque, in patnership with a cousin. After a time
they sold to Willis Osborne, who, after the
suspension of publication of the Pocket City News,
bought its material. He then changed the name of the
paper to the McGregor News. The number of Jan.
31, 1877, was the last wich Mr. Osborne published. He
first leased, and afterward sold to Mr. A. F. Hofer,
the head of the present management. In the issue of
Feb. 7 appears the valedicotry of Mr. Osborne and the
salutatory of Mr. Hofer, from the latter of which we
extract the following:
"After deliberate consideration of the
material encouragement and general good will shown by
many friends, we no longer hesitate to engage in this
occupation, although new to us. Financially, this is
the era of promise, and this is a good place to make
ours. To begin with, then, the political part of the News
will be conducted in the interest of the Republican
party We do not hesitate to say that we will
fearlessly publish our views, adn aim to be right
rather than partisan. Our country and justice first;
our party and ourselves next. We shall strive to keep
within the influence of the spirit of the times, and
march with the guidance of reform and progress. We
shall conbime the strictest attention, unceasing
diligence, and judgement based in integrity with a
business already founded on a solid financial basis.
We mean by this that no labor will be spared, or no
sacrifice be considered for a moment, that can add to
the interst or increase the value of the News
as a family and business journal. Whenever the
intersts of the city or county are drawn into
question, we beg that the News may be
considered as the lever by which abuses and
corruption may be lifted from the atmosphere of
prejudice adn partisan in spirit, and held under the
scrutiny of public opinion. We are but keeping in the
ranks with many other journals, when we freely offer
the columns of the News for the discussion of
any question that is or may be before the public. If
we deviate from the course hitherto taken by the
journalists of this city, adn appropriate a limited
amount of space to the temperance movement, we do not
exclude any advice which may be offered, that will in
any way tend to the improvement of evils that cannot
be avoided. Our unbounded admiration for our public
schools enlists our sympathies for their interest,
for they must stand as the honest pride of every
intelligent citizen. We sacredly recognize our
various churches as the bulwarks and foundations of
all culture and social advantages. Then to the church
and to the school we extend heart and hand as noble
institutions worthy any tribute. Political,
financial, social, literary, and commercail
questions, and every "top-topic" of the day
will be made to contribute to the development and
upbuilding of what we at present consider as a
necessity, that is, a first-class family paper. To
this end, then, we solicit the good will and
assistance of all our friends, and such recognition
as we shall deserve from our neighbors and
contempoaries of the press."
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