Historical
For
Muscatine County Iowa
1889



Source: Portrait and Biographical Album, Muscatine County, Iowa, 1889, page 608

THE MUSCATINE JOURNAL.

This excellent paper dates its beginning from Oct.27, 1840, when it made its first appearance under the name of the Bloomington Herald, with Hughes & Russell, editors and proprietors, John Russell being its controlling spirit. He remained connected with the paper until 1845, when he sold his interest to Dr. Charles O. Waters, who became editor, and held that position until 1846, when he was succeeded by M. T. Emerson, who made considerable improvement in its mechanical appearance. Death soon called him to a higher field of labor, and N. L. Stout and Wm. P. Israel purchased the office; the former assuming editorial control. The Herald under his administration dealt hard blows at the institution of slavery.

In November, 1847, John Mahin entered the office as an apprentice, at the age of thirteen years, and in the winter of 1848-9 the office passed into the hands of F. A. C. Foreman, who ran the paper for about four months, when it was suspended. Six months later Noah M. McCormick came from St. Louis, revived the paper, and changed its name to the Muscatine Journal. He continued its publication until July, 1852, when it was sold to Jacob and John Mahin--father and son. These gentlemen conducted the paper jointly until September, 1853, when they associated with them Orion Clemens, a brother of "Mark Twain." Mr. Clemens was a good printer, a sensible writer, and an upright man, He maintained a high and dignified tone, while, at the same time, he infused a lively degree of spirit into the columns of the paper. In June, 1854, the tri-weekly edition of the Journal was established.

In January, 1855, J.Mahin & Son sold out the concern to Charles H. Wilson and Orion Clemens, who instituted the Daily Journal in June of that year. Mr. Clemens disposed of his interest soon after that to James W. Logan, and the firm of Logan & Wilson was continued until January, 1856, when D. S. Early bought out Mr. Wilson. The same year, Mr Early's interest was purchased by John Mahin and F. B. McGill. Messrs. Logan, Mahin & McGill conducted the paper until August, 1857. At that date, John Mahin assumed sole charge of it, and continued as manager without change of proprietors until January, 1866, when L. D. Ingersoll purchased half interest and became editor. Mr. Ingersoll's connection lasted just two years, when John and James Mahin became owners of the Journal, under the firm name of Mahin Brothers. The death of the junior member of the firm, James Mahin, which occurred Dec. 9, 1877, necessitated a change in management. Jan. 1, 1879, the name and style of the "Journal Printing Company" was adopted, with John Mahin, President; J. B. Lee, Treasurer, and A. W. Lee, Secretary. The company was incorporated soon after.

The Journal has for years been a valuable piece of property, and is recognized as one of the leading Republican papers of Iowa. John Mahin is well-known throughout the State and is one of the oldest newspapermen in the West. The office is well supplied with an abundance of printing material, and is one of the best equipped offices in this section. John Mahin is yet the efficient editor.


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