William R. Orchard
Well known to Iowa newspaper Dom is Will Orchard the graceful
and cogent writer who has made the Glidden Graphic a name the
extends over a large portion of the state. His father, Philip
Orchard, came to Iowa in 1857 and settled in Greene county. He
was a native of Indiana. The mother whose maiden name was Mary
Jane Ford, was born in Ohio and emigrated to Iowa in 1855,
locating in Des Moines. The parental ancestors were direct
descendants of the old English stock, which according to
Thierry. were nicknamed "Yankees" by the Dutch settlers of New
York. A great -grandfather was one of Washington's soldiers
during the war of of the Revolution. On Jan. 5th, 1867, in a log
cabin on the banks of the Raccoon in Greene county, Iowa,
William R. Orchard was born, and he has lived within the
boundaries of the state ever |
William R. Orchard |
| since that time. He attended the country
schools until twelve years of age, when his father died and he
being the eldest son was compelled to work to assist, in the
support of the mother and younger children. His labors at this
time consisted in work upon the farm, for which he received
eight dollars per month. At nineteen he decided to prepare
himself for teaching school and to do so was obliged to study
nights rainy days and Sundays, for the finances of the family
would not admit of any cessation of such work as would provide
immediate means of support. In two years time he had secured a
certificate, and for several years thereafter taught with
excellent success. In December 1893. he purchased an interest in
the Glidden Graphic of I. A. Nichols. Later Nichols sold out to
J. G. Shculze and Mr. Orchard became editor. In October, 1897,
Mr. Schulze retired and Mr. Orchard became both editor and
proprietor. In politics he is a rock-rooted republican; was
elected to the office of city recorder on that ticket over one
of the popular men of his town, and that too, by a big majority.
He declined to be a candidate for a fourth term. In 1893 he was
a a candidate for county superintendent of schools against J. J.
McMahan, and, though the democrats carried the comity by 683
plurality, the plurality of Mr. McMahon was but 60. Mr. McMahon
was a good school man with an excellent record. Again in 1895
these same two gentleman were candidates for that office and as
before, Mr. McMahon won by only a few votes, although the county
went decidedly democratic. The town of Glidden paid Mr. Orchard
a line compliment in these contests by giving him almost the
entire vote on both occasions. He is a Mason and a past grand in
the Order of Odd Fellows. October 31, 1894, he was united in
marriage to Miss Edith B. Greene, a young lady of culture and
refinement who was considered among the most gifted teachers of
that county. On October 14, 1897 he was commissioned postmaster
at Glidden and he is now serving in the double capacity of
postmaster and editor. |
|
