USA > New York > Steuben County > A history of Steuben County, New York, and its people, Vol. I > Part 30
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John Greenhow was born on the 13th day of April, 1809, in the ancient and historic town of Kendal, in Westmoreland, England, and his early life was spent in that region, so rich in poetic atmosphere, that borders the lovely shores of Windermere, and his nature partook largely of that spirit that seems to prevail throughout the section-a section that has been wrapped in poesy hy the richly-endowed pens that have written its praises for many years. His father was a man of learning and of character. He had eight children, four boys and four girls, who reached maturity. He himself taught them their early Latin lessons, as well as the ordinary studies that all children are supposed to acquire. The boys entered on various lines. At an early age Henry, the elder, became a teacher of classical and mathematical studies at the great university at Windsor, and died in his twenty-third year, after attaining such distinction as to make him the sub- ject of a pathetic poem by his classmates of the day.
John's bent towards letters carried him early into the printing office, and at the age of fourteen he was apprenticed to that trade in the office of the Kendal Chronicle and Westmoreland Advertiser, for a term of seven years, in accordance with the custom of that country. For two years his father paid for the privilege of his learning the trade; for two years he paid nothing, and for the remainder of the time he received a small wage, graduating into the occupation. He went to London, following his profes- sion and taking out his card in the craft. A fine appearing man; well dressed; a fluent and effective talker; ready in debate and well informed-he became conspicuous in his circle, and his deeply religious nature led him to become a dissenting clergyman. He was twice married. His first wife, Jane Bailey, was married in England, and by her he had three daughters, of whom Mrs. Eliza Case, of Racine, Wisconsin, survives at this writing. At the
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death of his wife, he took his little girls and embarked for America, after a prolonged consideration of Australia before his choice was made. He landed in New Orleans with two friends, who afterwards became his brothers- in-law, and with his girls ascended the Mississippi, making a temporary home at various points. At Galena, Illinois, he married Mary Frodsham in 1844, by whom he had three children, the present editor of the Hornell Evening Tribune-Times being the oldest. The other surviving child is Mrs. Henry Wilkinson, of Racine, Wisconsin; the youngest, Mrs. Charles Wombough, who died in 1882.
Mr. Greenhow's earlier years in this country were somewhat unsettled. At Burlington, Wisconsin, he acquired one hundred and sixty acres of land in what is now the heart of the city. He built a brick house there, some- thing new at that time in that place; had a brick-yard and a newspaper. But the plague of those new lands, fever and ague, attacked himself and family so savagely that they were glad to abandon everything and fly empty- handed to Canada. He then established a newspaper in Chittenango, this state, and for a time was foreman of the Madison Observer, at Morrisville, Madison county. After an interval of farming and milling he purchased the Canastota Herald, which, in June, 1870, he traded for the Hornellsville Tribune, which was built up into a good-paying property.
In Hornellsville Mr. Greenhow cast an anchor that held him the remain- der of his life. His companionable ways; his ready intelligence; the deep interest he took in every phase of social life; his advocacy of all that was elevating and clean; his industry and continuous activity-all these and many other good qualities endeared him to his associates and to the people of the entire community. He died October 7, 1891, over eighty-two years of age, and had "worked at his case" in the Tribune office until the fall of 1890; his sixty-eighth year of active labor in his profession, broken only by hrief intervals-a remarkable record. As mentioned, he disposed of his half inter- est in the Tribune to Charles F. Peck of Nunda, New York, in 1880, hut re- tained his case as above stated.
The Tribune is now owned by the W. H. Greenhow Company. William H. Greenhow is the editor. He is an industrious and grace- ful writer, and with a competent corps of assistants, makes a read- able paper. The Tribune occupies a two-story and basement build- ing, thoroughly equipped with all the modern appliances and im- provements, and is the equal of any newspaper in the state outside of the cities of the first class. It is a member of the Associated Press, giving its readers all the news each day gathered by that organization.
Mr. William H. Greenhow has held a number of elective offices of his town and city. He was the postmaster at Hornellsville (now Hornell) during the first Cleveland administration and is now the accomplished president of the New York State Press Association; is a stockholder in all of the banks in the city and in several of its flourishing manufactories, as well as a director in two of its financial institutions.
About three years ago the Weekly and Daily Times, published in Hornell as the leading Republican paper of western Steuben and eastern Allegany county, was obliged to suspend publication, and was thereupon consolidated with the Hornell Tribune, the name of the paper being changed to the Hornell Tribune-Times, and as it advocated the principles and objects of each it attempted to perform an equestrian feat on two horses, each going in opposite directions. It is the only newspaper of any kind published in Hornell; for the reason given it is no credit to the enterprise of the city. 'The Tribune- Times has outlived all of its rivals and competitors in the town of Hornellsville and the city of Hornell, through both the process of absorption and the fair yet fierce war of competition and rivalries ; yet it is not "the survival of the fittest."
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The following is a sketch of another of the veterans of the press of Steuben county.
"NATIONAL AMERICAN."
The National American was commenced in Hornellsville, Feb- ruary 13, 1856, by D. C. Pruner and C. M. Harmon. Under the editorial control of Mr. Harmon it was an ably conducted journal, being American (Know Nothing) in politics. He was assisted in the literary work on the paper by W. E. Pabor of Brooklyn, New York. Mr. Harmon subsequently removed to West Virginia, where he established and conducted a newspaper at Ravenswood. Its bold and "American" position was not satisfactory to the inhabitants of that section and his office was totally destroyed by Confederate sympathizers in 1862. He returned to Hornellsville, where he died July 22, 1868. The American was transferred by Mr. Harmon to Charles A. Kinney, in September, 1858. Thereafter Mr. Kinney changed its name to the Canisteo Valley Journal and made it a newsy, reliable, local newspaper. He was a ready and accomplished writer and an enterprising publisher. His paper was neutral in politics, and thereby made many warm friends and supporters, its editor deeming the needs of his country superior to all other con- siderations. Mr. Kinney sold the Journal in 1861 to R. S. Lewis of Batavia, an editor of ability, who made it Republican in politics. It was discontinued in Angust, 1862. After Mr. Kinney disposed of his paper he obeyed the call of his country and became a member of the 130th regiment of New York Volunteers, dying of yellow fever at Newberne, North Carolina, in the line of his duty, at the age of forty years.
THE "VIDETTE" AND "TIMES."
The Democratic-Vidette was founded by the Burdick Brothers in September, 1865, and was successively published by Burdick and Cooper, John M. Riley and William H. Baldwin. It was Demo- cratic in politics. O. R. Burdick, over the pen name of "Sparks," was one of the most brilliant, original and witty writers on the press of the state. He launched the following bon mot, which went the rounds of the press of the vicinity as a tale of horror until its' un- masking: "Jon-Akaree, an Indian, crawled into an out-door oven near Bucktooth, and was baked to a crisp when taken out last Satur- day." Burdick was killed by the cars on the Erie railway, near Elmira in October, 1866. Mr. Baldwin sold the Vidette office to Safford M. Thacher and Russell M. Tuttle, who, under the firm of Thacher and Tuttle, changed its name to the Canisteo Valley Times, and made it Republican in politics. Mr. Baldwin thereafter pub- lished a paper at Watkins, New York, with marked ability and success.
The Canisteo Valley Times began with Jannary 10, 1867, the date of its first issue, and with that its success was foreseen, as energy, ability and courage were apparent. It soon became at- tractive and its local influence was conceded. Mr. Thacher had had journalistic experience in Kansas, where ability and courage were appreciated, having been a resident of Lawrence at the time of Quantrell's furious and unexpected raid. Mr. Thacher escaped the vengeance of the outlaws by adroit and timely action. The Times,
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while Mr. Thacher was in the editorial chair, took an active and leading part in all improvements and reforms, and, always on the alert to expose and fight all wrong and crooked measures, its editor was well hated and feared by every one who tried to avoid the full light of publicity and criticism.
Mr. Thacher was one of the seven men who were the founders and promoters of the Hornell Library Association, now one of the most thriving and beneficial institutions of the kind in the state. They bought and assumed the payment for the first books of this library. With others Mr. Thacher bought land in Hornellsville and platted residence lots, streets and parks. He was born, and most of his early and middle life was passed in that place and all his labors were in furtherance of his firm confidence in its future prosperity. In September, 1875, Mr. Thacher retired from the Times, and shortly after returned to the state of Kansas where he became largely interested in real estate. His investments there proved profitable and he is still a resident of that state, where he is passing the sun- down of life in pleasant and satisfactory memories of the past.
For two years following the severance of Mr. Thacher's con- nection with the Times, it was conducted by Hon. Russell M. Tuttle, his former associate. On January 1, 1877, it was changed from a weekly to a semi-weekly issue, and the name thereafter became The Hornell Times. In September, 1877, Mr. Johnson Brigham, a bril- liant, high-minded and effective journalist, became a partner under the name of Tuttle and Brigham. In October, 1877, the paper was returned to a weekly issue only, but in February, 1878, a daily edition was issued, which was continued with the most flattering success and prospects until its final and regretted demise thirty years later: It was an evening paper at first, but became a morn- ing daily in September, 1883. About this time Mr. Brigham trans- ferred his interest in the paper to Tomer, Dolson and Mack. Mr. Brigham removed to Iowa, became the editor of the Cedar Rapids (Iowa) Republican; then filled a life position in Des Moines with signal ability, commanding the respectful attention of that critical state. He is now the librarian of the State of Iowa at Des Moines.
Since Mr. Brigham's migration to the west the editorial duties on the Times have been performed by H. S. Tomer, later on the Rochester (New York) Herald; and by Mr. John W. Mack, later connected with an insurance journal in the city of New York, where he died about ten years since. Mr. Mack was a clean, bright, un- obtrusive man, having been a graduate of and an instructor in Cornell University at Ithaca, New York, before becoming a journ- alist. The Times Association was about this time formed and as- sumed ownership and control of the property. Mr. R. M. Tuttle became the sole editor, and Mr. A. H. Bunnell, of Canisteo, the business manager. This arrangement was not wholly satisfactory to all concerned. Mr. Tuttle's was not a nature to resist encroachments upon his rights; he was inclined to suffer and be submissive rather than resist. These perplexities, with his failing health, induced him to abandon his life-work. Mr. Bunnell sold his interest in the Times and went to Fort Edward, New York, where he is now con- ducting a prosperous newspaper of large influence in the northeastern part of the state. Mr. Tuttle's malady confined him to his home, where he died on May 28, 1908.
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About this time the Times Association and all of its property, rights and good will were transferred to a combination of political office holders-actual and expectant-of the dominant party of the county and equipped with an able corps of editors and writers, asso- ciated press membership and private wire communications with the principal financial centers and news agencies. The most magnificent promises given and flattering inducements made; so the aggregation started with notice to all competitors similarly engaged to get out of the way. For several months the Morning Times was a live and interesting paper, but its income was found to be less than its ex- pense, and the stockholders were called upon to make good the defi- ciency. It was not an agreeable call and the small fry were eaten up by the larger. It was apparent the concern could not live. In this ex- tremity the only remedy was to close it out by a rummage sale. The Tribune was the purchaser; the Times ceased to exist and the Tribune-Times was born, of which the W. H. Greenhow Company became the publisher. The going out of the Times was a serious calamity for Hornell, for it had been a bright, reliable and ably conducted journal; representing and advocating the principles of the dominant party in the county, state and nation. The journalistic field in Hornell was closed to competition. The impression pre- vailed that there was life, energy or capital sufficient to warrant the existence of but one newspaper; as uninviting as the rural vil- lage with but a single store, inn or shoemaker's shop. The rea- sonable inference is, there is no demand for further business to encroach upon or disturb the solitude.
RUSSELL M. TUTTLE.
Russell M. Tuttle the son of Rufus and Milinda Tuttle, was born in the town of Almond, Allegany county, New York, January 12, 1840 ; came with his parents to Hornellsville in 1842, and attend- ed the public schools of Hornellsville, Alfred Academy, and Roch- ester University, where he was graduated in 1862, with the degree of A. B. In 1865 he received from his university the degree of A. M. In August, 1862, he enlisted in the 107th Regiment, New York Volunteers, "Southern Tier Rifles," commanded by Colonel Nirom M. Crane, and served with Sherman's army in the Atlanta campaign and in the "March to the Sea." He was promoted to second and afterwards to first lieutenant; was on staff duty over one year as acting assistant adjutant general with Generals Ruger and Ward of the Twentieth Army Corps. He was brevet-captain, U. S. Volunteers in 1865.
Mr. Tuttle was elected president of the village of Hornellsville, in 1868, and represented the Second assembly district of Steuben county, in the legislatures of 1880 and 1881. At each of these ses- sions he introduced and vigorously supported bills to "Suppress Tippling in Steuben and Allegany Counties," which failed to re- ceive the favorable consideration of the house of which he was a member. He has taken large and valuable interest in. the manage- ment of the Hornell Library Association. Since his retirement from the army, he has been engaged almost solely in newspaper work. He was editor of the Times under its various names, from 1867 to 1906, when he retired from active work because of impaired health. His newspaper career has been one that is a splendid example for
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any one to emulate. Clean and free from smirch of any kind, as a writer he had few equals in elegance of diction and trained, scholarly expression of thought. The Tribune had this on the occasion of his death: "Mr. Tuttle had as many friends as there are men, women and children in this community in which his whole life has been spent; in which he has labored and toiled for its improve- ment morally, socially, physically and in every way. In the days of the country's trials he unhesitatingly entered the military organ- ization for his country's good, and served faithfully in every way he was called upon so to do. In the ways of peace he has been equally faithful and industrions. In the legislative halls of his state, at Sunday school, in the church, at the editorial desk, at the publie library, he has toiled, and our people have all received the benefit of that toil and study. The final tribute paid to him was one that was well due his loyalty, beautiful and patriotic life. The members of Post Doty, Grand Army of the Republic, attended in large num- bers. A firing squad from Company K, National Guards of the state of New York, acted as an eseort and performed the final rites over the grave of the dead soldier, in firing the customary volleys, and sounding tap at the conclusion of the ceremonies."
EPHEMERAL PUBLICATIONS.
The Economist was started. by M. A. Tuttle as an advertising medium in the interest of Adsit and Tuttle, dry goods merchants. The first number was issued March 8, 1872, and after so running for a year it was sold to Graham and Dawson, being issued as the Hornellsville Herald, and esponsing the prohibition cause, which it ably promulgated and supported. Its editor, Miles G. Graham, was a vigorous, forcible and most courageous writer, determined and en- thusiastie in the cause of temperance and righteous living. He sub- sequently published a paper at Cobleskill, New York, and thereafter held an important position in the office of the state comptroller at Albany. In 1876 Edwin H. Hough, son of the founder of the Hornellsville Tribune, with his son, Leon Hough, became the owner and publisher, and through their vigorous efforts the paper attained a large rural circulation. It was published by the Herald Publish- ing Company, and its name changed to the Saturday Herald, in March, 1893. Its publication was afterwards discontinued at Hor- nellsville and the material removed to Canisteo.
In Jannary, 1878, The Reveille, a paper advocating the prin- ciples aud objects of the Greenback party, was started by J. Willett Smith. It printed on the Tribune presses. After an existence of two weeks and incubating two issues, it was sold to James D. Adams, who brought with him from Andover, Allegany county, New York, a printing office and outfit, and continued the paper, by the name of the Greenback Champion, for one year, when it ceased to exist for want of sufficient support and means.
About three months thereafter, David Healy purchased the ma- terial, property and good will, revived the paper, renamed it The Invincible, and under that name Healy and Battle continued its publication for several months. Then Mr. Battle retired from the paper; Mr. Healy continued the publication alone until the begin- ning of the year 1880, when it was sold to John Tolan, and was run by Tolan Brothers and Osineup. In June, 1881, The Invincible
HISTORY OF STEUBEN COUNTY
was succeeded by the Daily Independent, an evening paper, neutral in politics. In October, 1881, it was changed to a morning paper, and published by Tolan Brothers and Shattuck. It suspended its existence on Christmas day, 1881.
The Steuben Signal was established as a prohibition organ in the early autumn of 1882. It made a vigorous campaign, more as a freebooter than a regular partisan, in the political struggles of that year. From April 4, 1883, it was published by the Signal Publish- ing Company, and was continued five years. By extensive canvassing and personal persistent solicitation of all temperance advocates, it had at one time a circulation of ten thousand weekly issues-a larger circulation than had theretofore, or has since, been attained by any newspaper published in Steuben or Allegany counties, and main- tained it so long as it was published. But its small subscription price did not meet its expenses, and for that reason publication was suspended.
The Era appeared in 1887, published by S. H. Jennings, in the interest of the Labor party, and after continuing over a year it was removed to Almond, Allegany county.
The Daily Press was first issued March 9, 1889, by the Press Publishing Company, composed of John Tolan and Leon Hough, and printed on the Herald press. In the early part of the following year Mr. Tolan secured an independent printing press, from which he alone issued the publication as an evening paper during the re- mainder of its life. It is now extinct ; went out in 1894.
In more recent years several nondescript newspapers have made their appearance in Hornellsville, mostly devoted to seurrilous at- tacks on individuals and occupations, but as none met with favor, didl not survive more than half a dozen issues, and disappeared. One or more of these were rewarded by indictments for libel.
ADDISON NEWSPAPERS.
At Addison, before 1860, some attempts had been made to establish and maintain newspapers. From twelve to fifteen had been 4 started, but all but one had a short and unprofitable existence. In March, 1858, Edward M. Johnson, afterwards clerk of the lower house of the New York state legislature for ten years, with Col. Henry Baldwin, was, during the first year of its existence, partner in its publication ; thereafter Col. Baldwin retired, leaving Mr. Johnson the sole proprietor. At the time the paper was first issued the material was mostly second-hand-assembled from the wreeks of its predecessors-and small in quantity. The only press used was a Washington hand-press; yet, with all of its poor and limited fur- nishings, the paper was always printed at home. It never appeared with patent outsides or insides, nor issued from stereotyped or bor- rowed plates. It was first issued as a four-page paper, six columns to a page; "independent on all subjects, neutral in none." Before the close of the first year a change came over it; it dropped its inde- pendent and neutral principles, and announced itself "Democratic on all subjects." Soon after the paper experienced another ehange, and became ardently Republican, and so remained until 1872. when it appeared as an earnest supporter of the candidacy of Horace Greeley. It advocated his election and remained a liberal Republi- can till 1873. In July, 1865, Mr. Johnson enlarged the paper to
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seven columns to each page, and then took in as partners H. S. Dow and W. R. Bates, as editors and proprietors, under the co-partnership name of Johnson, Dow & Bates. The paper continued under this management until January, 1866, when both Messrs. Dow and Bates retired from the business, and Mr. Johnson again became sole editor and proprietor. In September, 1867, Amos Roberts -purchased a half interest in the business, and the publication of the paper was continued under the firm name of Johnson and Roberts. In June, 1868, the paper was enlarged to eight columns to the page; at that time an improved power press supplanted its old, long-used and reliable hand press. At the same time it put on a new dress and donned an attractive face. Both partners were skillful and progres- sive printers, thoroughly understood the art, and set out to make their quarters complete. A half medium improved Gordon and one- eighth medium Liberty press were added, and many other valuable and up-to-date machines, appliances and improvements were installed in the shop.
Hon. Edward M. Johnson was editor, or senior editor, of the paper from its first issue until January 30, 1873, when the whole interest went to Mr. George H. Hollis; Mr. Hollis published the Advertiser as an independent journal until the nomination of Samuel J. Tilden and Thomas A. Hendricks for president and vice-president on the Democratic ticket, which nominations were by it energetically and intelligently supported and advocated; after the unsatisfactory results and outcome of that election, it remained firm in its principles and position.
The paper is now controlled and edited by Burrell Vastbinder, but is neutral in politics. Edward M. Johnson, after he severed his connection with the Advertiser, went to Oneonta, New York, where he continued the editor and proprietor of a newspaper until his death. Mr. Johnson was born in London, England. He had re- ceived a liberal education before he came to this country and located in Addison. He was a ready and genial writer and understood the newspaper business thoroughly, both from the editor's and the print- er's standpoint. He was an exceeding favorite with everybody, re- liable, accommodating and popular, as is well attested by his fre- quent election to and long occupation of the assembly clerkship in the New York legislature. His record there is certainly a model for all his successors.
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