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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