History of Green County, Wisconsin. Together with sketches of its towns and villages, educational, civil, military and political history; portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens, Part 82

Author: Union publishing company, Springfield, Ill., pub. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Springfield, Ill., Union publishing company
Number of Pages: 1168

USA > Wisconsin > Green County > History of Green County, Wisconsin. Together with sketches of its towns and villages, educational, civil, military and political history; portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens > Part 82

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

"We cannot close this article without offering a word of congratulation on the return of peace

and the bright future which seems to await our Nation. After serving three years amid the toils, hardships, dangers and sufferings of a terrible war, how gladly we hail the day of peace! With gratitude we acknowledge that kind Providence which has safely led us through the great strife and back to home and friends again. We also acknowledge that Almighty Power which has given us the victory in a life and death struggle for National existence. Thank God, the Nation lives! Thank God, slavery is dead! That foul stain upon our National character is obliterated forever, and henceforth we can say without blushing that America is free!

"Let us learn lessons of wisdom from the ex- perience of the past, and in the future be care- ful to avoid those political rocks on which our good ship of State was so nearly wrecked. The severe trials through which we have passed should teach us to appreciate our liberal gov- ernment, and at the first approach of danger, to stand up manfully in its defense against the en- croachments of corrupt politicians and the in. trigues of traitors. If faithful to the great trust committed to us, all will be well, and the beauty of constitutional liberty will shine forth as a beacon light to nations of the earth, to lead them to a higher and holier destiny.

"A. J. HIGH, "CHARLES A. BOOTH."

Messrs. High & Booth conducted the Sentinel in partnership until the 7th day of December, 1870, when Mr. High disposed of his interest to S. E. Gardner, as appears by the following- 'TO THE READERS OF THE SENTINEL.

"With this number of the paper, my business connection with the Monroe Sentinel ceases. Having decided to engage in other business next spring, I have sold my interest in the Sen- tinel establishment to S. E. Gardner. As I shall remain in the office for a time as associate and corresponding editor, I will not now bid a final editorial farewell to the readers of the Sentinel.

591

HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.

"After a continuous term of service of twenty- five years in the printing office, either at case or in the editorial chair, I am glad to be released from the cares and responsibilities of the news- paper business; and yet there is, to me, a fasci- nating influence about the printing office which may, at no distant day, draw me back to it again.

"It is highly gratifying to me to be able to state that the permanency of the Sentinel is es- tablished beyond a question or doubt. After passing through the political and financial storms of nearly twenty-one years, the patrons and friends of the Sentinel are to-day much more numerous than ever before ; its subscrip- tion and advertising patronage has steadily in- creased during the past five years, and is still rapidly increasing. We are pleased to know that the Sentinel is in so prospering a condition at the present time, and sincerely hope that the san.e liberal support may be extended to it in the future. The members of the new firm are worthy young men and will leave nothing un- done, on their part, to merit the confidence and good will of the public.

"The personal and business relations between Mr. Booth and myself have always been harmo- nious and satisfactory. I have ever found him to be a true and genial friend, an agreeable and efficient business partner. In severing our busi- ness relations, we part as we met-warm per- sonal friends.

"Wishing prosperity and peace to the Sen- tinel and its many friends,

I remain, as ever, yours, "A. J. HIGHI."

SALUTATORY.

PATRONS :- The new firm greet you with a full determination to do their utmost in present- ing a readable local newspaper. We shall make no boast or promise as to what we may accomplish, but prefer to let a generous public judge for themselves how well we shall succeed. We shall ever uphold those sacred principles of the Constitution of the United States as it now

is, and shall not hesitate to point out corrup- tion in the management of public affairs, wher- ever it shall come to our notice. In all things concerning local matters, we shall endeavor to act justly, though independently, and use the influence we may have for the greatest good to the greatest number. As our interests are identical with those of our generous patrons and our will is to live and let live, we have no fears for the future; on the contrary, we go forth with courage and hope that we shall re- ceive that hearty encouragement which it has been the lot of our predecessors to receive for twenty years past. Again we greet you.

"CHARLES A. BOOTII. "S. E. GARDNER."

On the 18th of February, 1874, Mr. Gardner leased his half of the paper to Mr. Booth and the latter became sole editor. The half he thus leased was, on the 8th of July, 1879, pur- chased by him; so that he then became sole proprietor. Mr. Booth has continued to edit and publish the Sentinel to the present time (1884).

THE SENTINEL OF TO-DAY.

The Sentinel is now (1884) a nine column pa- per, with a large circulation (the largest, indeed, of any in the county). Its size is 28x44 inches. It began its 33d volume with a new dress of burgeois and nonpareil. It is all printed at home. It carries from seventeen to eigh- teen columns of local advertising-mercantile, manufacturing and legal. It is the official county paper and has been for thirty years, without change. It is printed on a Fairhaven power press, and in mechanical point of excel- lence is not excelled by any office in the county. Its pages are always clean and bright. It is always free from slang or personalities. It la- bors for the general welfare of the people, and the especial interests of Green county and the city of Monroe. It is bold in exposing rascals and swindlers. It still holds to the faith of republicanism. It has one of the best equipped job offices to be found anywhere outside the

592

HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.

larger cities and its pamphlet, mercantile and general printing is first-class. Mr. Booth is a. terse writer and edits the Sentinel with marked ability.

A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE SENTINEL.

The following brief history of the Sentinel appeared in that paper Jan. 19, 1876:

"EDITOR SENTINEL :- Having noticed on your return envelopes that the Monroe Sentinel was 'established in 1848,' I thought it would be proper to give you a brief history of the foun- dation of your paper.

"It was on or about the 16th day of April, 1850, that there appeared in the village of Monroe, for the first time, a small six-column paper, 22x23 inches. It was christened the 'Green County Union.' This was the first newspaper printed in Green Co., Wis. The office of pub- lication was in Francis Emerson's stone block, south of the court house. The Union was edited and published by J. W. Snow, who was also the sole proprietor of the concern. Mr. Snow was a gentleman of refined taste, and of extremely good habits, but of a very reticent nature; he made no effort to form an acquaint- ance with his patrons; he seemed rather to avoid them. Of course a man of such 'make up' will scarcely succeed in the publication of a country newspaper. Mr. Snow was not a poli- tician, he took no interest in political affairs, consequently the Green County Union was a 'neutral' organ on the political questions of its time. It was by hard work, close cutting, and good engineering that the editor managed to continue to publish the Union for one year, after which it ceased to have any existence. Thus ended the first newspaper published in Monroe.

"The type, press and fixtures of the defunct Green County Union were traded to J. W. Stewart, who brought into existence the "Monroe Sentinel," about the middle of May 1851. Mr. Stewart removed the office to the front room of the second story of A. Ludlow's brlek block, immediately after taking possession

of the same. Mr. Snow took for the payment of his press and fixtures an old, dilapidated dwelling house in Monroe, considered to be worth about $250. The Sentinel was the same size as the defunct Union.

"Mr Stewart being an active politician of the whig faith, of course the Sentinel was an advo- cate of the principles enunciated by the leaders of that party in its day. The Sentinel was a lively local paper, and names were rapidly added to the subscription list. Its business also increased. But Mr. Stewart soon became weary of the duties and perplexities of a news- paper manager, and, before he had worn the editorial harness six months, sold the office, together with its good will,to Rev. J. Walworth and O. D. Moulton. The new publishers at once changed the tone of the Sentinel. Now it advocated democratic principles. As the supporters of the Sentinel were mostly of the whig faith, this sudden change in its tone was severely felt by its publishers, in the loss of many of its best paying patrons. From that time to the close of the first volume the Sentinel, only just existed. It scarcely paid expenses. Its ownership and its editors changed two or three times during the second half of its first year. At the commencement of the second volume Rev. J. Walworth was the sole proprie- tor. He secured Israel Sanderson, from Galena, to take full charge of the mechanical depart- ment of the office. Mr. Sanderson was master of his profession; he was also a rich and racy writer. Together they made a good paper of the Sentinel; and from that time onward the Monroe Sentinel has ranked among the best local paper of Wisconsin Mr. Sanderson was connected with the office abont two years when he retired on account of poor health. George W. Tenney succeeded Mr.Sanderson in the mechani- cal department of the Sentinel. Soon after, Mr. Tenney, in company with N. L. Stout, pur- chased the office from Rev. J. Walworth; and in less than two years from the time he went into the office as foreman, George W. Tenney

593

HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.

became the sole proprietor and publisher of the Monroe Sentind. This was somewhat remarka- ble for one so young, as he was yet in minor years when he assumed the responsibilities in the publication of a first class country news- paper. It is proper to say the Sentinel did not lose any of its good qualities after it passed in- to Mr. Tenney's hands. He continued its editor and publisher till the summer of 1860, when he retired in favor of James Bintliff and E. E. Bryant, having sold the office to them. From 1860 to the present time the history of the Sentinel is familiar to all of its patrons.

"At about the commencement of its third volume, in 1853, the Sentinel was enlarged one column to the page, or was made a seven column paper. During the year 1857, or 1858, I am not certain which, Mr. Tenney enlarged the paper. "It may not be ont of place to say that your correspondent played 'devil' in the Green County Union office, commencing with the first issue of that paper; and was also a typo in the Sentinel office, 'off and on,' for the first three years of its existence.

Fraternally yours, L. D. YOUNG."

IONIA, IOWA, Jan. 10, 1876."

John Walworth

was born at Big Sodus Bay, Wayne Co., N. Y., July 28, 1804. His ancestors emigrated from London, England, about the year 1765, some of whom located in Virginia, and others in Herk- imer Co., N. Y. At the age of seventeen, John was sent to Norwich, in Chenango county, for the purpose of being educated, where he re- mained abont six years. He afterwards engaged for several years in teaching school. During this time, he was married to Sylvia Lamb- son, of Hampden Co., Mass. He then moved to Michigan, where he entered upon the minis- try as

a profession. In £ 1840, Mr. Walworth went to Illinois and trav- eled four years as a missionary. In 1846, he removed to Monroe, Green Co., Wis., where he subsequently became proprietor and editor

of the Monroe Sentinel, then democratic in poli- tics. By constant labor, Mr. Walworth soon gained for his paper a large circulation for that day of newspapers, not only in Green but in the counties adjoining. At this time the en- croachments of the slave power upon the courts of justice on free territory, and the capture of both political parties in the enactment of the fugitive slave law, and the repeal of the Mis- souri Compromise had thrust upon the people very grave questions in regard to the fate of freedom in this country, or under our govern- ment in the near future. The Sentinel was the first democratic newspaper in Wisconsin that came out emphatically against the aggressions of the slave power, and the legislation of both democrats and whigs in the interest of slavery. On the 13th day of July, 1854, a people's con- vention met in Madison, without respeet to previous affiliations ; and Mr. Walworth, in consideration of the active part taken by him in the movement, was chosen its president. This convention organized the republican party in Wisconsin. In 1858, Mr. Walworth located at Richland Center-he having purchased the office of the Richland County Observer. IIe was afterward twice elected to the legislature from that county. Ile was made chaplain of the 43d regiment of Wisconsin, in the fall of 1864. Since the war, Mr. Walworth has re- sided at Riehland Center.

Death of Mr. Tenney.

[From the Sentinel of Dec. 14, 1864.] .

George W. Tenney, for many years the pub- lisher of this paper, and for the last three years engaged in the publishing business at McGregor, Iowa, died at his home in that city a few days since. ITis remains were brought to this village, and were, yesterday afternoon, buried with Masonic honors. We understand that his siekness originated in a hurt produced by excessive labor, while assisting to extinguish the fire in his office in September. 1863. With- in a few weeks it assumed the form of quick

594

HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.

consumption, which speedily terminated his existence.

James Bintliff'

was born Nov. 1, 1824, at Salterhebble, near Halifax, Yorkshire, England. All the school edn- cation he received was at the village school in England, before he was twelve years of age. When he was sixteen years of age his father emigrated to the United States, leaving him be- hind. The next year, in the spring of 1842, he came also. He soon after engaged in a woolen factory in New York State. In 1847 he was married ; and soon after he commenced farm- ing. Having accumulated $1,000, in the fall of 1851 he moved to Wisconsin, and purchased a farm in Green county, where he remained two years, after which he moved to Monroe. After a two years' residence in Monroe, he was em- ployed as a book-keeper and cashier in a bank- ing office at that place. In the fall of 1851 he was elected register of deeds of Green county. In the spring of 1860 he purchased a one-half interest in the Monroe Sentinel, and, one year later, he purchased the whole office. In 1862 he was commissioned to raise a company for the 22d regiment of volunteers. He then sold one-half of the Sentinel to E. E. Carr, who edited that paper during Gen. Bintliff's absence from the State in the field of battle. We re- fer our readers to the foregoing account of Wis- consin in the war for Gen. Bintliff's war record. It will suffice here to say that he won dis- tinction on the battle-field. Soon after he returned from the war, he sold his one-" half interest in the Monroe Sentinel, and started for Missouri with the intention of locating there ; but, after traveling all over the State, he found society in so unsettled a condi- tion, that he did not deem it wise to remove any family there, and returned to Monroe, where he purchased a book, stationery and wall paper business, and continued in it until July, 1870, when he purchased a one-half interest in the Janesville Gazette, and became the editor of that journal. He has been a member of the

board of trustees of the Wisconsin Soldiers' Orphan Home, and president of the board. He was a delegate from Wisconsin to the National republican convention which assembled in Chi- cago in 1868, and nominated Grant, and again to the convention which re-nominated him in 1872 at Philadelphia.

Charles Asu Booth

was born in Covington, Tioga Co., Penn., Feb. 15, 1839, and is the son of George W. and Ar- temisa (Crandall) Booth, both of whom were of English descent, the former a native of Rhode Island and the latter of Pennsylvania. His father was a master builder by occupation, and erected many of the depots on the New York Central Railroad, and large blocks in various towns in the central and western States. They had a family of eight boys and two girls, of whom five boys and one girl are living, Charles A. being the second child. At the age of six he was taken by his parents to western New York, where the family remained about eight years. Meantime he learned a variety of "trades," beginning with "watching crows" on a cornfield stump, from sunrise till sunset, for a conpensation of two shillings per day; he also worked one season in a wool-carding and cloth- dressing establishment; for a time was assistant for a brick mason, but soon found the work more than he could endure. He was a pre- cocious youth, and when not otherwise engaged, attended the district school, and. like other boys of his station in life, learned the three R's-'readin', 'ritin', 'rithmetic-but, as the se- quel proves, his forte lay in the middle R, and he has since become great in the use of the pen. He always sought the company of those who were able to give information and help him in his intellectual growth. Fond of antiquities, he read Rollin's Ancient History, Josephus, Plutarch and Macauley, Emerson's prose works, Lowell, Holines, and other distinguished au- thors, before he reached the age of sixteen years. The family removed to Beloit, Wis., in 1855, and he has a very distinct recollection of

Ahora Jackson

597

HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.

the Fremont-Buchanan campaign of 1856, in which he rigorously espoused the cause of the former, and though he was not in a position to give his favorite a vote, yet he derived strength and political nourishment from the campaign that told in future times, and since then his candidates have always been successful. IIe attended school one or two seasons in Wiscon- sin and became a fair English scholar, and in the spring of 1858 he came to Monroe, and in August of the same year entered into an ap- prenticeship in the Monroe Sentinel printing office, which was then owned by the late G. W. Tenney, and of which he has since become sole proprietor and editor. He served three years as an apprentice, and at the end of his first year as a journeyman printer he was made foreman of the office; but the war was raging in the sonth, his country needed his services, patriot- ism triumphed over the tears of a mother and her younger children, of whom he was the sup- port, and in July, 1862, he enlisted in the 22d regiment, Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, com- manded by Col. Utley. At the organization of company G, to which he belonged, and which was commanded by James Bintliff, then one of the proprietors of the Sentinel, he was ap- pointed by a unanimous vote, to the position of 2d sergeant; from this he was promoted to the rank of orderly, and thenee to that of 2d lientenant-all within a year. The 22d regiment was the first fully equipped and one of the best equipped and disciplined regiments that ever left Wisconsin. It was known during the earlier part of the war as the "nigger" regi- ment, being the first that absolutely refused to give up "contrabands" who came into the Union lines. At the battle of Thompson's Station, near Franklin, Tenn., which occurred March 5, 1863, our subjeet received a severe wound by a rifle ball, and had his clothes riddled by bullets, but did not desert his post for several hours, and while going to the rear narrowly escaped cap- ture by the rebels. The enemy in this engage- ment ontnumbered the Union forces ten to one. 1

The lines of the latter were broken and scat- tered, many prisoners were made, and inany others, alas! were left on the field. Nearly four months intervened before he was again fit for duty. In the autumn of 1863 he was com- missioned Ist lieutenant of his company, and was subsequently appointed on the brigade staff (2d brigade, third division, 20 A. C.) as assistant aid-de-camp and provost marshal, and was with his brigade and regiment in all its subsequent battles. He participated in the famous Sher- man campaign on Atlanta, and commanded in person the right flank of the line of skirmishers which first entered that city after the battle of Jonesboro. He was also at the battles of Resaca, Peach Tree Creek, Golgotha, Kenesaw, Culp's House and the siege of Atlanta, besides numerous skirmishes, experiencing many narrow escapes, but never receiving a scratch after the first fight. He participated in Sherman's fa- mous march to the sea, and in the "fire and smoke" campaign through the Carolinas, took part in the battle of Averysboro, fought by a part of Sherman's men with the army of Joe Johnston, which had confronted the Union troops, having disputed the march of the west- ern army for more than two years. Thence the vietors marched by way of Richmond, Va., to Washington, participating in the "grand re- view" by the President, and was mustered out in June, 1865. In July of the same year he bought of his former employer a half interest in the Monroe Sentinel, the other half being bought by A. J. High, and for five years the business was conducted under the firm name of High & Booth. In December, 1870, Mr. High sold to S. E. Gardner, who, in 1872, leased his interest to Mr. Booth, and since then the Sentinel has been under his sole charge. It is one of the most ably conducted weeklies in the west. Its articles are spicy and readable, while it dis- cusses questions of National and State policy with an ability and pungeney that makes it either a powerful ally or a formidable oppo- nent. It is the organ of the people, to whom

598

HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.

its columns are always open. Itis, furthermore, conducted on the highest moral principles, strennously opposed to all shams or humbugs, and exeluding from its columns all advertise- ments of an immoral or dishonorable character. Mr. Booth has participated in every political campaign since 1865, stumped the county every fall for the republican party, and is one of the most indefatigable and successful workers in the State. During the Rebellion he was a fre- quent correspondent of the Wisconsin State Journal and the Monroe Sentinel. He is not a member of any Church, and contributes his full share to religious and benevolent organizations. He is a total abstainer, and has been W. C. of the Good Templar organization of Monroe. He was also N. G. of the order of Odd Fellows, and has been representative in the grand lodge of the order. On the 10th of September, 1862, he married Elizabeth Gardner, daughter of Elijah T. Gardner, who was born in the first frame building erected in the village of Mon- roe, which now has a population of about 4,000. Mrs. Booth is a lady of genuine good sense and superior cultivation, to whose advice and influ- ence her husband is indebted for much of his success in life.

THIE JEFFERSONIAN DEMOCRAT.

This paper was commenced under the auspices of George C. Baker as editor, Ang. 14, 1856. The following is his

SALUTATORY.

"We this day present to the public the first number of the JJeffersonian Democrat. In estab- lishing this journal and assuming the control thereof, we but act in compliance with the ex- pressed will and wishes of a large number of the residents of Monroe and the surrounding country. This portion of the community have long felt the want of a democratic newspaper in their, midst, and it is to supply that want and to furnish a suitable channel for the expression of the opin- ions of the democracy, as well as for the pur- pose of keeping them advised of the various political movements and organizations of the

day, which has induced us to spread our sheet before the people. "It would be well, perhaps, to mention that our own feelings have had con- siderable influence in prompting ns to this step. The principles for which we shall contend are as dear to us as the apple of our eye, and we shall advocate those principles with all the love and ardor of an amateur. As stated, in our prospectus (which we publish in another column) the course of the Democrat, while under our control, shall be thoroughly and uncompromis- ingly democratic; and, as it will not, we pre- sume be considered out of place, in this con- nection, we shall indulge in a brief survey of the ground occupied by the democracy in the political contest now waging. Questions of great magnitude are at the present agitated among us, they will continue to be agitated for some time, and their discussion and final de- cision must involve consequences of the most serions nature. It is the duty, therefore, of every citizen to prepare his mind that he may be enabled to decide properly upon them. When the elements of disorder are gathering in their strength for the overthrow of our politi: cal and domestic interests, it is time for all good men to rally to the rescue of sound princi- ples. Such, we conceive, are those embodied in the democratic creed.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Green County, Wisconsin. Together with sketches of its towns and villages, educational, civil, military and political history; portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens, Part 82

Author: Union publishing company, Springfield, Ill., pub. [from old catalog] Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Springfield, Ill., Union publishing company Number of Pages: 1168

Author: Union publishing company, Springfield, Ill., pub. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Springfield, Ill., Union publishing company
Number of Pages: 1168