History of Lorain County, Ohio, Part 14

Author:
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: Philadelphia, Williams brothers
Number of Pages: 626

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Ezra L. Stevens, after completing his collegiate studies at Oberlin, entered the law office of Hamlin and Lockwood, in the fall of 1843, but finding jour- nalism more congenial to his taste, devoted most of his time to politics. On retiring from the Sentinel he went to Ohnsted Falls, and commenced the publi- cation of The True Democrat, which he conducted for some time, and then removed the office to Cleve- land, where, in connection with E. S. Hamlin, he converted it into a daily. The paper subsequently went into other hands, and is now the Cleveland Leader. After leaving The True Democrat Mr. Stevens removed to Washington, where for a time he was engaged as a newspaper correspondent. He still resides there, and during the past quarter of a century has been in the government service.

William F. Lock wood served for some years as terri- torial judge in Nebraska, and subsequently removed

IHISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OIIIO.

to Toledo, where he now resides. He was recently elected to the office of judge of the common pleas court, by the united recommendation of the bar, of all parties.

THE ELYRIA COURIER.

On the suspension of the Sentinel Mr. Albert A. Bliss purchased a new supply of type in Boston, and com- menced, in connection with A. Burrell, the publication of The Elyria Courier. The first number was issued November 10, 1846; A. A. Bliss, editor, A. Burrell, printer. It was a seven column folio; terms, $2.00 a year. During the session of the legislature the fol- lowing winter Mr. Bliss was elected treasurer of state, and on the ecth of February, 1847, he sold his interest in the paper to John Il. Faxon, then sheritt of the conn- ty. It was published by Faxon and Burrell, until April 13. 1847, when Mr. Faxon became sole proprietor and published it until December 7, 1847, when he sold the paper fo Edmund A. West. Mr. West employed J. Wesley Udall as printer, and continued its publication as a whig paper until the campaign of 1848, when he refused to support. General Taylor for the presidency. and the Courier became an organ of the "Free Soil" party. About the first of November, 1849, Mr. West sold the paper to Jerome Cotton, who had acquired a good reputation as a Washington correspondent of several leading journals. He changed the title to Elyria Weekly Courier, and continued to support the free soil party: but many of the active whigs who supported Van Buren in 1848, fell back into the ranks of their old party, and the Courier gradually lost much of its support. On the first of June, 1850, an association of gentlemen, among whom were Myron R. Keith, Landon Rood, and Benjamin C. Perkins, purchased the Courier establishment of Mr. Cotton, with the design of converting it into an organ of the whig party, and on the toth of the same month George G. Washburn took charge of it as editor, Mr. Udall continuing to print it. Its original title was restored, and from this time forward the paper became self-sustaining: but on the 10th day of February, 1852, the office and all its contents were destroyed by fire, without insurance, in the first great conflagration that destroyed commercial block. . After the lapse of four- teen weeks a new outfit was purchased by George G. Washburn and George T. Smith, and its publication was resumed, with these gentlemen as editors, and Mr. Udall printer, until January 25. 1854, when Mr. Washburn sold his interest to his partner, and soon after the Courier and Independent Democrat, then published by Philemon Bliss, were united, retaining the name of the latter.

John H. Faxon, subsequently filled varions oflices acceptably, both state and national, and for two terms represented the county in the lower branch of the legislainre. He is still an honored resident of Elyria.

Edmund A. West removed to Chicago soon after relinquishing journalism, where he is now engaged in

the practice of law, making a specialty of cases relat- ing to palents.

Jerome Cotton resumed his position as correspon- dent, after leaving the Courier, but his health began to decline, and in the summer of 185t he returned to Elyria, where he died September 21, 1852, of con- snmption, aged twenty-eight years. He was a ready and spicy writer, giving promise of much ability in the profession of journalism.

George T. Smith retained his connection with the Democrat until November, 1855, when he sold his interest to George G. Washburn, and soon after re- moved to Illinois. He now resides in Cleveland. engaged in the practice of law.

THE LORAIN ARGUS.

When Edmund A. West purchased the Courier office he failed to make satisfactory arrangements with Abra- ham Burrell to print it for him, and employed J. W. Udall instead. This threw Mr. Burrell out of employ- ment. but he soon formed a partnership with Sylvester Matson, purchased a press and type, and on the 11th day of January, 1848, issued the first number of the Lorain Argus. It was a seven column folio; terms $1.50 in advance, $2.50 after one year. No responsi- ble editor was announced, and various persons con- tributed its political matter for nearly two years. Among the number of those most prominent were 1. D. Clark. John M. Vincent and John HI. Sherman. Mr. Matson did not retain his interest long after the first year, disposing of it to other parties, and the whole management devolved upon Mr. Burrell. On the first of January, 1851, Mr. Sherman was an- nounced as editor, but he withdrew on the 22d of July following. From that date until December, 1851, Mr. Vincent was its responsible editor. Geo. B. Lake then took the editorial chair, sub rosa, and con- tributed most of the editorial matter for several months. On the night of August 10, 1852, the building in which the paper was printed, called Gar- vey's Exchange, took fire, and was mostly consumed. The press, most of the type, and nearly all of the furniture in the printing office were destroyed. With the insurance money. Mr. Burrell purchased the old press and type formerly used by the Sandusky Regis- ter, and being aided pecuniarily by E. C. K. Garvey, resumed its publication, considerably enlarged by lengthening its columns. Mr. Garvey soon seenred control of the entire establishment, and retaining Mr. Burrell as printer, conducted it until November 17, 1852, when he sold it to Bird B. Chapman & Co., and L. S. Everett, who had been nominal editor during Mr. Garvey's ownership, became its responsible editor. The title of the paper was changed to The Lorain County Argus.

Mr. Everett retired from the Argus, November 16, 1853, and at that date John H. Sherman purchased an interest in the office, and became its editor-in-chief. The exact time when he retired is not known, but he remained only a few months; and on his retirement,

HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO.

the paper was published by Mr. Chapman; and during his freqnent terms of absence, varions parties wrote for its columns. Mr. Burrell contributing his share. llaving lost the county printing. the paper began to be a burden to its proprietor, and on the 18th of April, 1855, Mr. Chapman discontinued its publica- tion, packed the material and shipped it to Nebraska, where he established the Omaha Nebraskian.

Of the seven persons not previously mentioned, who were connected with the Argus, only one is now known to be living.

Sylvester Matson removed to Cleveland, where he enlisted in the United States army, and served ont his term. On the breaking out of the rebellion, he volunteered in the cause of the union, and was killed in one of the great conflicts of the war.

John IT. Sherman was a young man of considerable ability as a writer, but his connection with journalism here was brief. He left Elyria. in connection with Mr. Chapman, in 1855, and went to Nebraska, where for some years he was connected editorially with the Omaha Nebraskian. He died in Council Bluffs, in 1865.

E. C. K. Garvey was a man of great business activity, but with little business capacity. Ile removed to Kansas during the " border-ruffian " troubles, where he espoused the " free State " cause with much ardor, and was on one occasion lynched by the ruffians, but was neither intimidated nor subdued. lle was resid- ing in Kansas when last heard from. many years ago. but it is hardly probable that he is now living.

Bird B. Chapman removed to Omaha and was elected the first delegate in congress from that territory, which was organized in 1854. He contested his opponent's seat for the second term, but was unsuccessful, securing however his pay and mileage. In 1859, he returned to Elyria, where he resided until 1862, when be re- moved to Put-in-Bay island, where he died after a lingering illness, September 12, 1871. aged fifty years.

George B. Lake removed to Nebraska, and entered upon the practice of the law with marked success. ITis character and abilities were soon recognized by the people, who have for several terms elected him to the highest judicial position in the State, and he still resides in Omaha, an honored member of the supreme court.

L. S. Everett came to Elyria. a democrat in political opinions, during the Kansas-Nebraska troubles; and when the Independent Democrat, which represented the free democracy, was started, he became its first editor. He was a man of much ability and large experience as a journalist, and his immediate return to the democratic fold. after waging a vigorous war- fare against that party in the columns of the Demorrat, showed that he had facility to change, as well as ability to assert his principles. After leaving the Argus, he removed from the county, and for a time wrote for the Plain Dealer, but returned in 1866, and commenced the publication of the Lorain Constitu- tionalist, which he conducted about one year, when

he removed to Akron, where he died a few years since, considerably advanced in years.

John M. Vincent was an honored member of the legal profession, and his connection with journalism was only incidental. He subsequently, in connection with Philemon Bliss, established the Independent Democrat, but immediately afterward devoted his entire attention to his clients. A sketch of his life will be found in the history of the bar.

THE INDEPENDENT DEMOCRAT.

This journal was started at a very important epoch in the history of our country, and as its publication was continued for a quarter of a century, nearly all of the time under the proprietorship and management of one individual, it is dne that a brief notice of its origin be here given. The passage of the fugitive slave act of 1850, and its attempted enforcement by both of the great national parties, aroused a sp rit of hostility, both to the act and the system it sought to perpetuate, on the part of many who still elung to their old party organizations, although opposed to slavery. In the campaign of 1852, both the whig and democratic parties virtually allowed the pro-slavery element to dictate their platforms, and from this period the tendency to break away from old associa- tions began to be developed. It was to aid in disinte- grating these old parties, and in forming a new one based upon the broad platform of human rights, that the Independent Democrat was established. The funds necessary to purchase the outfit were contributed by various persons who had formerly been affiliated with the old parties. Prominent among those who fur- nished pecuniary aid were Norton S. Townshend, then a resident of this county, and Salmon P. Chase, then United States senator from Ohio, and late chief justice of the supreme court. Far the greater portion of the necessary funds were contributed by Philemon Bliss.

Philemon Bliss, formerly a whig, and John M. Vincent, formerly a democrat, had charge of the enterprise, and on the 5th day of Angust, 1852, issued the first number, as editors and publishers. Jonathan D. Baker was employed as printer. It was a seven-column folio; terms, 81.50 per annum. It was ably conducted under their management until January 12, 1853, when Mr. Vincent retired, leaving Mr. Bliss in sole charge. On the 13th of April fol- lowing, Joseph 11. Dickson was employed to edit the paper: and on the 10th of August, the same year. John H. Boynton and Mr. Dickson assumed the entire charge, and conducted it until the 28th of December, when it was again turned over to Mr. Bliss, who pub- lished it until February 1st. 1854. Meanwhile several persons printed the paper. Mr. Baker withdrew Oe- tober 12, 1853, and was succeeded by A. J. and G. MeElleran, who remained only one week, and were succeeded by Tower J. Burrell, who printed it until the 1st of February, 1854.

At this date, the interests of the Courier and Dem- ocrat were united, with P. Bliss and Geo. T. Smith,

HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO.

editors and proprietors, and J. W. Udall, of the late Courier, printer. Under this management, the paper was continued until November 28, 1855. when Mr. Smith sold his interest to the writer of these annals, and during the succeeding year the Demoeral was published by Bliss & Washburn. The latter was editor and business manager, and the former, who had previously been elected to congress, was corres- ponding editor. At the close of the year, 1856, Mr. Washburn became, by purchase, possessor of the office, and for upwards of twenty-one years following. was its sole proprietor, editor, and business manager. In 1859, the title was changed to Elyria Independent Democrat. On the 24th of March, 1858, Mr. Udall was compelled to relinquish his post as printer, on account of failing health, and Abraham Burrell, who was associated with his son in the publication of the Eagle, withdrew from that journal, and took Mr. Udall's place, which he faithfully retained until his death. November 23, 1868. At his death, his son, S. A. Burrell, who was a journeyman in the office. assumed the duties of printer, and retained the posi- tion until the paper was discontinued.

On the 1st of February, 1822, the interests of the Democrat and Elyria Republican were united, retain- ing the name of the latter, as more appropriate to the principles which the Democrat had. for a quarter of a century. ever steadfastly advocated. Coming into being when the publie mind was in a state of unrest. concerning the designs of the slave power. the Inde- pendent Democrat took an active part in unifying and crystalizing that sentiment in opposition to the further encroachments of slavery upon the public domain. It lived to witness the rapid growth, and tinal snecess. of the new party of freedom. It witnessed the inaug- uration of the great slaveholders' rebellion, and cast- ing its lot with the loyal millions, rejoiced with them in witnessing its final overthrow, and the restoration of all the States under the flag of the Union. During all these eventful years, the aim of its publisher was to so conduct it as to merit the approval of loyal men, and not disappoint the hopes and expectations of its founders.

Of the persons prominently connected with the Democrat, but a brief notice will be given :

Messrs. P. Bliss and J. H. Dickson were more dis- tingnished as lawyers than as journalists, and will be noticed in the chapter on the bar.

J. Il. Boynton has tilled various important positions in the gift of the people, with such entire acceptance, as to merit the public esteem that is universally be- stowed upon him.

J. D. Baker removed to Pankling county, Ohio, in October, 1853, and. for a time, edited and pub- lished the Paulding Democrat. His subsequent his- tory is not known.

J. W. Udall entered the office of the Ohio .ttlas as an errand boy, at the age of thirteen years, making himself useful in every part assigned him. In those days, the mails were very irregular, and for a few of

the first years of his apprenticeship, in addition to his labors as "devil " and compositor, he performed the office of post-rider-taking a large sack of the papers each week, upon a horse, and distributing them in bundles, to each neighborhood, in the north part of. the county. This duty he performed with remarkable fidelity; and whether it rained in torrents, or the scorehing sun sent his heated rays upon the earth, or stern winter its freezing blasts, the weekly advent of the post-boy was expected with as much certainty as the rising of the sun. When the mail facilities of the county rendered this branch of ser- vice no longer necessary, Mr. Udall devoted his time exclusively to his duties in the office. serving an ap- prenticeship of seven years before he aspired to the position of a " jour." He became an expert printer, and ever enjoyed the fullest confidence of his em- ployers, scarcely losing a day from his case after he became a journeyman. When he realized that his disease (consumption) was beyond remedy. he went to his sister's house, in Hudson, Ohio, where he was kindly cared for until his death, which occurred August 18. 1858, aged thirty-three years.

THIE LORAIN EAGLE.

After the suspension of the Argus, there was no Democratie paper printed in the county for nearly two years. In the spring of 1857, a sufficient sum was pledged, by subscription, to purchase the mate- rial. and on the seventh of March, of that year, A. and T. J. Burrell issued the first number of the Lorain Eagle. It was a seven column folio, pub- lished in Elyria; price $2 a year, in advance. On the 24th of March, 1858, Abraham Burrell withdrew, and took the position of printer of the Independent Dem- orrat. His son, T. J. Burrell, continued to publish the Eagle until after the rebellion broke out, when, in consequence of its equivocal position concerning the management of the war, it ceased to pay expenses, and was discontinued in August, 186t. During the five years of its existence, no responsible editor was announced. and what editorial matter was not written by its publishers, was furnished by various persons during the political campaigns.

THE LORAIN CONSTITUTIONALIST.

On the third day of October, 1866. Mr. L. S. Everett issued the first number of this journal, a democratic paper, which was a seven-column folio; terms. $2.00 a year. Mr. Everett was not the owner of the estab- lishment, but announced that he published it "for the proprietors." whose names are not given. F. S. Moore was its printer. On the 8th day of July, 1867, a joint stock company was formed, consisting of A. A. Crosse. H. H. Poppleton, N. L. Johnson, P. W. Sampsel and others, with a capital stock of three thou- sand dollars, divided into shares of ten dollars each, which assumed the responsibility of the publication, Mr. Everett still officiating as editor, until near the close of the first volume, when he withdrew. It was

HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OIIIO.

then " Published by the Lorain Printing Company," and N. L. Johnson, president of the company, con- tributed most of the editorial matter. Mr. Moore continued to serve as printer. This relation existed until June 9, 1869, when Mr. James K. Newcomer assumed the editorial and business control of the paper, the proprietary interest still remaining in the printing company. The word " Lorain " was dropped from its title. On the night of January 22, 1870, a fire broke ont in the office, and, before it was extinguished, a large portion of the type was destroyed, the presses alone escaping injury. The damage was estimated at. one thousand dollars. Mr. Moore, proprietor of the job department, lost a portion of his material. With the aid rendered by the proprietor of the Democrat, the Constitutionalist appeared on time the next week, and, after February 16, it appeared regularly, with the word " Lorain " again replaced in its title. Mr. Neweomer retained his position as editor until the close of the political campaign of 1820, when he with- drew and F. S. Moore became its publisher, N. L. Johnson furnishing the leading political artieles. Mr. Moore continued to publish it until November 1, 1871, when Mr. J. V. Faith took charge of the edi- torial and business department, under an agreement to publish it one year without charge to the proprie- tors, in consideration of which he was to become its owner. On the 15th of March, 1872, its size was increased to an eight-column folio, with its outside columns printed on the co-operative plan. in Chicago. and its title was changed to The Lorain Constitution. On the 26th of September, 1822, the co-operative plan was abandoned, and, without change in size, it was all printed at home. On the 10th of October, 1872. Mr. F. S. Reefy purchased the entire establish- ment, and has continued its publication to the present time. On the 13th of February, 1823, it appeared as a five-column quarto, and was continued in that form until the 5th of the following June, when it was changed to a nine-column folio, on the co-operative plan. On the 30th of September, 1875, it was reduced to an eight-column folio, and, in consequence of the incorporation of the village of Lorain at the month of Black River. its title was changed to The Elyria Con- stitution, which name and size it still retains.

THE ELYRIA REPUBLICAN.

II. A. Fisher issued the first number of this jour- nal, October 24, 1874. It was printed on the forms of the late Black River Commercial (nine-column folio) with this exception, that its four pages were all printed in the office. He continued its publication until the 20th of February. 1875, when James W. Chapman became associated with him as equal part- ner. This relation continued until the 10th of the following July, when Mr. Chapman withdrew. On the 7th of August, 1875, it was changed to a six- column quarto (its present form), and on the 1st of the following November, Mr. A. H. Smith purchased an equal interest in the establishment, and for the

following fifteen months the paper was published by Fisher & Smith, E. G. Johnson being its political. and HI. A. Fisher its local editor. On the 1st of Feb- ruary, 1877. Mr. Fisher purchased the interest of Mr. Smith, and the Independent Democrat and Republi- can were consolidated. Under this arrangement the Democrat was discontinued and the Republican was published by Washburn & Fisher, with Geo. G. Wash- burn as editor-in-chief, H. A. Fisher local editor, and A. II. Smith printer. On the 1st. of October, 18;1. Mr. Washburn purchased Mr. Fisher's interest and assumed entire control of the paper. On the retire- ment of Mr. Fisher, Mr. Smith took the position of local editor and superintendent of the mechanical do- partment, with Mr. Wm. T. Morris as job printer. Under this management the Republican continues to make its weekly visits to its large list of readers.

The foregoing concludes the record of the press in Elyria, with the exception of a few papers of brief duration, to which reference is here made. During the political campaign of 1838, the whigs published a small sheet called The People's Banner, edited by Albert A. Bliss, and the democrats a similar paper called The Jeffersonian, edited by Joel Tiffany. These papers were conducted with much spice and ability. In 1840 the whigs published for three months Old Tip's Broom, edited by D. W. Lathrop and other prominent whigs of that day. It was ably conducted and contributed much towards securing the victory that followed the famous "Log Cabin and Hard Cider" campaign. In 1864 II. M. Lillie published for a few weeks a small two-column quarto devoted to the cause of temperance. Its publisher, who was a reformed inebriate, returned to his enps, and his paper was dis- continued. Its name cannot be recalled. About the year 1868 two or three numbers of a very creditable paper were issued, called The Lorain Templars Offer- ing. The name of its publisher is not remembered. but he was a stranger, and proved to be unworthy of contidence.

THE ELYRIA VOLKSFREUND.

This was an eight-column folio, published in Ger- man, by F. S. Reefy, at the office of the Constitution. The first number was issued February 1, 1873; terms, $2.00 a year. For the first two months its outside pages were printed in Philadelphia, after which it was all printed at the publication office. At the end of three years Mr. Reefy sold the paper to Henry Minnig. who published it about a year, when it was discon- tinned for want of support. The types were then purchased by the Biene printing company, of Cleve- land, and the new proprietors made an effort to estab- lish a German paper here, called The Weekly Post, but it was not successful.

There have also been published in Elyria at varions times and for various periods, a number of very credit- able amateur sheets, a notice of which cannot be given in the space allotted to this history.

HISTORY OF LORAIN COUNTY, OHIO.

The first steam-power press used in Elyria was in- froduced by Mr. Reefy, in the office of the Constitu- lion, in January, 1873. It is called the Fairhaven cylinder press. This was followed, in June of the same year, by Mr. Washburn, who introduced a large Potter cylinder power press in the office of the Demo- erat, running it. however, without steam. In Feb- ruary, 1845, another Potter press of the same size was introduced in the Republican othice, with steam power.

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History of Lorain County, Ohio, Part 14

Author: Publication date: 1879 Publisher: Philadelphia, Williams brothers Number of Pages: 626

Author:
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: Philadelphia, Williams brothers
Number of Pages: 626