HENRY W. GITTINGER
The newspaper interests of Lucas county are ably
represented by Henry W. Gittinger, editor and proprietor of
the Chariton Leader, one of the widely read and influential
journals of this part of the state. The important position this newspaper
holds in the eyes of the public is largely due to the efforts
of Mr. Gittinger, who ably directs its policy in the interest
of general advancement, moral and intellectual development and
material expansion.
Born on December 18, 1861, in Washington township,
Lucas county, Iowa, Henry W. Gittinger is a son of Peter and
Sarah
Gittinger. The
mother before her marriage was Sarah West, a daughter of X. E.
West, one of the pioneers of Lucas county. She was born in
Kentucky, but his father was a native of Baltimore county,
Maryland, where he grew to young manhood. At the early age of
eighteen he entered the United States navy and had the
distinction of serving under Commodore Perry in the
suppression of the slave trade along the African coast in days
long before the Civil war.
During the conflict with Mexico he was transferred to
the land forces and distinguished himself by the faithful
fulfillment of his duties and his courageous conduct.
Henry W. Gittinger was reared under the parental roof
and acquired his education in the common schools of Lucas
county, near his father’s home.
He early showed an inclination for the printer’s art
and subsequently became connected with the printing office of
the Russell News at Russell, Iowa. Familiarizing himself with all the
details of the trade and the conduct of a newspaper he
acquired by thrift and industry the means to set himself up
independently and became the editor and proprietor of the
Chariton Leader. His
wide experience and innate ability are creditably reflected by
this newspaper, which has become one of the important organs
of this part of the state.
Its news columns are ably conducted and local as well
as general items brought before the readers in a clear and
precise style. As
the prestige of the paper has increased its circulation has
expanded and its advertising columns grown to such an extent
that the enterprise from a financial point of view is as much
of a success as it is as a news disseminator and a guardian of
public rights and public progress.
On December 10, 1885, Mr. Gittinger was united in
marriage at Russell, Iowa, to Miss Nellie Goltry, a daughter
of William and Cordelia Goltry, early and well known settlers
of Lucas county. There
have been two children born to Mr. and Mrs. Gittinger: Howard, who married
Miss Gladys McCollough, and who ably assists his father in the
publication of the Chariton Leader; and Grace, who is the wife
of Mr. Charles W. Sugden and resides in Omaha, Nebraska. Before her marriage
Mrs. Sugden was a school teacher by profession.
Public-spirited and progressive, Mr. Gittinger gives
his able support to all measures undertaken to benefit the
community and improve conditions and affiliates with the
democratic party, the measures and candidates of which he
staunchly upholds. He
has become a powerful influence for progress in his community
and a leader for good along moral and intellectual lines as
well as an ardent advocate of agricultural development and
commercial expansion. Much
of the prosperity prevailing in Lucas county is due to the
efforts of Mr. Gittinger, who through the medium of his paper
has promoted many beneficial measures and has always advised
and counseled in such a way that following his leadership
far-reaching and lasting results have been obtained.