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 85

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 85

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E. O. KIMBERLEY." On the same day was published Mr. Sprague's SALUTATORY.

"By the transfer of the Independent, duties and responsibilities with which we are not fa- miliar, have suddenly devolved upon us, and we acknowledge that it is not without some reluc- tance and misgivings that we assume them.

"Trusting in the sympathy and kind wishes of our friends, and hoping they will not demand better results than we may accomplish, we shall earnestly endeavor to make the Independent as good a local paper in the future as it has been in the past.

"In its columns shall be found as much of the general and local news of the day as necessary economy of time and space will permit.

"Whatever measures or principles we may conceive to be in the interest of real reform, it will zealously advocate and defend.

"Upon the present political issues it will re- main republican in letter and in spirit; and in the cause of temperance it may always be relied upon to tally oue.

"In the interest of education, and especially of the public school system, it will be ever ready to disseminate encouraging words; and in re- gard to Churches and religious rites and beliefs,

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HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.

it will exhibit 'charity for all and malice toward none.'

"Mr. Kimberley, who has established the repn- tation of the Independent, and' of the fine job office connected with it, takes his leave to enter upon a larger, and it is hoped a more prosperous field of labor, in which he has the best wishes of ourself and many warm friends.

"Gay Spragne, who has served an apprentice- ship of nearly four years with friend Booth in the office of the Monroe .Sentinel, will have full charge of the publishing and job printing de- partment, and we shall rely largely upon him for aid in the general conduct of the paper.

BURR SPRAGUE."

Burr Sprague continned in charge of the In- dependent until May 23, 1879, when he sold to E. A. Charlton, and made the following

VALEDICTORY.

"We have sold the Independent and the sub- scription accounts to E. A. Charlton-who will fill the advance subscriptions; and he will take possession of the office and assume control on Monday next.

"We have had charge of the paper but little more than seven months, and during the most of this time we have been so burdened with other pressing duties that it has been impossible for us to devote the time and attention to the paper that has been desirable, and seemed necessary; but we have thus far, to the best of our ability under the circumstances, fulfilled the promises made in our first number. How well we have succeeded during this brief period of time is wholly for our readers to decide- they having the best opportunity to know, and being the most competent and impartial judges -- and be their verdict in favor of or against us, it will doubtless be correct, and we shall not complain.

"We have always endeavored to exclude from our columns everything of a personal nature which would be liable to cause or excite ill- feeling, aiming to speak plainly and boldly for

principles only, and not in any sense for per sonal ends. If, in doing this, we have unwit- tingly given offense, we regret such result-for we harbor no malice or ill-will toward any one -- but having acted according to our best judg- ment, and with good motives, we have nothing to retract; and only wish we might have dealt still heavier blows in the cause of right.

"If we have erred or blundered at times, we only are responsible, for no one has dictated, counseled or advised us.

"We have been constantly cheered and en- conraged. by kind words and substantial tokens of regard and appreciation, and our numerous exchanges have treated us very respectfully and kindly; for all of which we are truly grateful.

"We have become warmly attached to the In- dependent, and shall feel more than a common interest in its future welfare and prosperity.

"After a few weeks' travel for recreation, we shall take up another line of business which awaits us.

"In making this transfer, we feel entirely con- fident that we are doing no injustice to our sub- scribers, fully believing that our successor is competent to greatly improve the Independent, and that it will be his aim to do so. Eight years' experience as president of the State Nor- mal School at Platteville, and the liberal en- dorsement given him by eminentand worthy men, occupying high positions of trust in our State, afford unquestionable proof of his ability and honesty of purpose; and coming among us as he does, a comparative stranger, free from the piques and prejudices in the personal or neigh- borhood differences which too frequently exist between older residents, we bespeak for him a hearty welcome, hosts of friends and abundant success.

BURR SPRAGUE "

E. A. Charlton's salutatory was in these words: "In accordance with the announcement made last week, we have assumed control of the In- dependent as editor and publisher.

"It is not without some misgivings that we ! enter upon these new duties and responsibili-

Jolm Ht Traveling

Nancy & Woodling

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HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.

ties, but relying upon the kindness and forbear- ance of our friends and patrons, we hope to become "masters of the situation," and in due time to satisfy all reasonable expectations.

"It will be the aim of the Independent to pro- mote the best welfare of the community in which itis published. Whatever we can do through its columns to promote the moral, intellectual and social interests of this village, will be cheerfully and heartily done. We shall advocate those principles and practices that in our judgment tend to improve society and to make human life more happy and more useful.

"Our long experience as a teacher has made us so familiar with public and private education and has given us such an interest in this sub- ject, that we can hardly refrain-if we would, from devoting especial attention to the interests of our common schools and other institutions of learning. The educational affairs of this community, and of this State, shall receive due attention. In this direction we shall advocate thorough preparation and faithful work on the part of teachers ; efficient and liberal manage- ment on the part of boards. We believe that teaching should be recognized as a profession, that only competent and skilled teachers should be employed, and that these should be justly paid for their services.

"In polities, we shall not be partisan. While we shall, in general, advocate the principles of the republican party, as party lines are now drawn, we shall give credit for honesty, integ- rity and patriotism in public service, whenever and wherever found.

"While the Independent must necessarily give especial attention to local mattersand interests, we shall endeavor to present such original and selected articles as will prove acceptable to our more distant readers. In this connection it may not be improper to say that Mrs. Charlton will be a frequent contributor to our columns, and will aid us in our editorial work.

"But we are aware that we shall be judged by what we perform, rather than by what we

promise. We can only assure our readers that whatever can be done by entire devotion to our work shall be done.

"To the citizens of Brodhead, we beg leave to say that we have come here hoping to stay. We propose to cast in onr lot with you, and be- come identified with the interests of your beau- tiful village, and to do our part, so far as in us lies, to sustain all its beneficent institutions. Our business will be in connection with the Inde- pendent, and we ask your liberal patronage not only in subscriptions but in every department of our work. We shall make such improve- ments from time to time as your support will warrant us in doing.

"Thanking our friends both far and near for their cheering words and kind encouragement, we extend

'A kindly greeting to old friends,

A hearty welcome to the new.'

Respectfully, .E A. CHARLTON."

On Sept. 13, 1880, Mr. Charlton took charge of the Brodhead High School and continued through the school year, closing June, 1881 .. During this time he exercised a general oversight over the affairs of the office, but the bulk of the edi- torial work was done by Mrs. Charlton, while the foreman attended to the business of the of- . fice. With this exception he has given his en- tire time and efforts to the paper, since he be- came its owner.

On the 21st of June, 1881, Mr. Charlton pur- chased of Walker & Co., Madison, a Pronty Power Press, turning over to them, in part pay- ment, the old hand press which had been in service from the outset, and had previously done duty for the States Rights, at Monroe.

The paper was in 1864 a seven column folio. On Oct. 7, 1881, Mr. Charlton enlarged it to its present size, an eight column folio.

The original price of the paper was $2 a year. In 1870 it was made $1.50, in advance, and has since remained at that price.

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IHISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.

Early in 1869 "ready prints" (patent insides or outsides) were used, and have been in use most of the time since.

In Mr. Charlton's salutatory reference is made to Mrs. Charlton's expected help in edi- torial work. More recently, her name appears as one of the editors.

In 1879, when Mr. Charlton took charge of the paper, Brodhead was suffering from the general depression of business which prevailed. The Independent was naturally at a low ebb. It has to some extent shared in the general re- vival of business. The edition on May 30, 1879, was 16 quires, 384 copies, it is now, Ang. 1884, 38 quires, 912 copies. There has also been a corresponding increase in advertising. The Independent has always been a republican paper.

I. F. Mack, Sr., one of the early settlers of Decatur and one of the founders of Brodhead, is now a resident of Chicago.

I. F. Mack, Jr., (commonly known as ' Foster') is now senior partner of I. F. Mack & Bro., editors and proprietors of the Sandusky (Ohio) Register.

Willis C. Stone is now a publisher in Chica- go. Charles M. Morse is in Dakota. D. W. Tyrrell is a publisher in De Kalb, Ill.

Burr Sprague practices law, as shown in a previous chapter, in Brodhead. E. O. Kimber- ley has been a publisher and now has a job printing office at Sioux Falls, Dakota.

Edwin A. Charlton

was born at Littleton, N. H., Sept. 29, 1828, and was the eldest child of Walter and Mindwell (Moulton) Charlton. His father was also a native of Littleton, being the son of Robert Charlton, who came from England in the latter part of the last century, and made a home upon the banks of the Connecticut where he lived for many years and died at a good old age, honored and respected by all who knew him. His mother was the daughter of Job and Anna Moulton who were among the first settlers of that part of the adjoining town of Lyman

which was subsequently named Monroe. The family was of English origin and came to Ly- man from southeastern New Hampshire. Job Moulton was a "minute man" in the Revolution- ary War. His wife was Anna Way, of whose eccentric father many stories yet linger in local tradition. When the subject of this sketch was about five years of age, his parents removed to Jay, Orleans county, in the extreme northern part of Vermont. This was then a new country, heav- ily timbered, and but sparsely settled. It was a work of no small magnitude to remove the pri- meval forest and make a home in the wilder- ness. But his parents were intelligent people and fond of reading, and as far as their means would allow, supplied their home with books and newspapers, which were eagerly read. The district school, too, was there, which, though limited in its scope and imperfect in its manage- ment, afforded the rudiments of an education. There were no church edifices, but the Method- ist circuit rider preached at regular intervals in the school houses. Other denominations were occasionally represented-not omitting the Mormons, who from this sparsely settled com- munity induced at least one family to accom- pany them to Nauvoo. Amid such surround- ings his early boyhood was passed. In the spring of 1845, his father desiring better oppor- tumities for the education of his children, re- moved to Ilanover, N. H., and some two years later, to Claremont, in the same State, which continued to be the family home for many years. Both parents died at Lowell, Mass., in the month of April, 1875. "Their children rise up and call them blessed." While at Hanover, he attended school a few terms and made par- tial preparation for college, but the lack of pe- cuniary means interfered with study and a cou- siderable portion of his time was devoted to manual labor. At Claremont he found employ- ment in the factories, and having studied under private tuition at intervals, and having attended school a term or two, he was admitted to Dart- mouth College, Hanover, N. H., at the opening

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HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.

of the fall term in 1850. During his college course he taught school every winter and during two of the fall terms; still he graduated in due course, in July, 1854, standing among the best scholars, in a class of fifty-seven members. Leaving college, he found employment as prin- cipal of the academy at Haverhill, N. H., where he remained one year. He then became pre- ceptor of Gilmanton Academy in the same State, and remained there until the close of the fall term, in 1856. He then returned to Claremont and entered upon the study of law, but soon af- ter he accepted an invitation to become princi- pal of the Union School at Lockport, N. Y., and entered upon the duties of this new position in April, 1857. His work in this place was pleas- ant, and the school prospered under his charge. In the spring of 1861 he resigned his position at Lockport and went to Schenectady, N. Y., as vice-principal of the Union School and secre- tary of the board of education. In the follow- ing spring, March 20, 1862, he was married to Helen Elizabeth, eldest daughter of Hon. Alfred Holmes, of Lockport. In the fall of the same year, he removed to Gilmanton, N. HI., and again became preceptor of the academy, Mrs. Charlton being preceptress. Bnt changes hav- ing occurred in the schools at Schenectady, he was invited to return to that place as superin- tendent; and accordingly, in the fall of 1863, he resumed work in that place. Here for five years he performed his duties to the satis- faction of the board of education and of the entire community. But feeling that a change would in some respects be desirable, in the fall of 1868 he accepted the position of principal of the high school and secretary of the board of education in Auburn, N. Y. His work in Au- burn was pleasant and his social surroundings agreeable, but a constitutional tendency to asthmatic and bronchial trouble became greatly aggravated, and it soon became evident that his only hope of relief was in a change of climate. Through the intervention of his old friend,

Prof. B. M. Reynolds, then of Madison, he was introduced to the board of normal regents of Wisconsin, and was called, in the summer of 1870, to the presidency of the State Normal School at Platteville, and entered on duty at that place at the opening of the fall term in September. For a little more than eight years -or until the close of the fall term in Decem- ber, 1878-he performed the duties of his posi- tion to the best of his ability. Of his work in this school it is not necessary to speak in detail. That it was successful is attested by the grate- ful remembrance in which it is held by hun- dreds of his former pupils who are scattered through Wisconsin and other portions of the great northwest; and the high estimation in which he is held by the citizens of Platteville, attests his worth as a man as well as a teacher. After closing his work in the Normal School at Platteville, while still undecided as to his ful- ture course, Mr. Charlton accepted an invitation from T. C. Richmond, then county superintend- ent of Green county, to assist in institute work at Juda, and went to that place on the 10th of March, 1879, and remained there about five weeks. This was his first introduction to the county which was destined to become his home. While at Juda, he made a brief visit to Brod- head, and was so attracted by the beauty of the place, that he made a subsequent visit with a view to seek a business location. This resulted in his purchase, of Burr Sprague Esq, of the Brodhead Independent, of which he took formal possession, May 26, 1879. Of his five years and more of work in connection with this paper, including one year during which he was principal of the Brodhead high school, it is not necessary to speak in this place, as the facts are sufficiently set forth in the history of the Independent itself. Suffice it to say that under his management the circulation of the paper has largely increased, and it maintains a credit- able standing among the local newspapers of the State. In his earlier life he was trained in the democratic faith, but before he became a

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HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.

voter, the anti-slavery agitation swept over the land. In that cause he took a warm interest, and counted himself a " free soiler" before the formation of the republican party. And when that party came to the front he found in it the embodiment of the principles in which he thoroughly believed, and to which he has steadily adhered. As mentioned elsewhere, he was mar- ried March 20, 1862, to Helen Elizabeth Holmes, of Lockport, N. Y., whose father, Hon. Alfred Holmes, is now the senior member of the Niagara county bar, having been engaged in the practice of law for upwards of fifty years. His wife has proved, in the full sense of the term, a helpmeet. She has given him valuable aid in his school work, and as associate editor of the Independent, has made frequent contri- butions to its columns, both in prose and in verse. Two children have been born to them- Walter Holmes Charlton, was born at Schenec- tady, N. Y, Jan. 4. 1866, and died at Lock- port, N. Y., Sept. 10, 1875, while on a visit with his mother at her old home. The second and only surviving child, Winifred Holmes Charlton, was born at Platteville, Wis., May 13, 1874.

THE BRODHEAD REGISTER.

The Brodhead Register, the latest newspaper venture in Brodhead, was established and its first number issued Nov. 1, 1883, by Louis A. W. Sprague, doing business as the Peerless Printing Company. The salutatory of the ed- itor, we give entire :

"The Peerless Printing Company commenced business just two years ago, on a small scale, with no special indneements and but little to encourage such an undertaking.

"Thus far our work has been confined to job printing exclusively.

"We did not anticipate greut results in so short a time, and in this have not been disap- pointed ; but we have endeavored to turn ont a class of work that would fairly merit favorable consideration and a reasonable share of patron- age. Our hopes in this respect have been fully

realized. The field is small, at best, but our business has steadily increased until we have deemed it both safe and expedient to secure pleasant and convenient rooms for a long term of years, and to add largely to our stock and materials, until we have every facility requisite to publish a small weekly paper.

"At the earnest solicitation of very many cit- izens of Brodhead and vicinity, among whom are numbered some of the ablest and best busi- ness men, we have consented to commence the weekly publication of the Brodhead Register, at the beginning of our third year.

"In this enterprise we shall make no vain pre- tensions, but, as in our jobbing department, shall endeavor to give 'valne received' to all onr patrons, and submit the result to their can- did judgment.

"It may be said that there are already news- papers enough in Green county. This may be said of any trade, business or profession ; and yet many more merchants, farmers, mechanics and professional men will doubtless begin busi- ness and succeed in our midst, and we feel as- sured that no large-hearted public-spirited man or woman will presume to oppose or discourage the establishment of any new firm, business or enterprise that is honorable.

"The writer has resided in this village since he was five years old, received his schooling here, and learned the art of printing during that time. Ilis home and his interests are in Brod- head. It is and has been impossible for him to pursue the trade of his choice at home, in any other way or manner than the one he has adopted. Ile believes there is room for him to earn an honest living by hard work and close application at home as well as abroad.

"As announced in our New Year's greeting we are 'here to stay,' and whether our pathway shall be strewn with more of roses or of thorns and thistles, we shall at least put forth a hearty effort to overcome obstacles, and above all else to please our customers and give them the worth of their money.

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HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.

"We prefer to begin in a small way with a hope and prospect of steady and certain growth, to shouldering a burden too heavy for our youth- ful shoulders ; and in so doing we trust that every change may be for the better.

"We are not united with any sect or politieal party, and are consequently free to advocate any principles or views that may seem to us just and equitable. It is our purpose to remain un- fettered and untrammeled, and to speak fear- lessly in the cause of right at all times, treating all as friends who are willing to be such, and show themselves worthy.

"Our subscription list is thus far composed of unsolicited subscribers. This issue will be mailed to some who are not subscribers, and we shall be pleased to continue the paper to them all, with the understanding that it shall be discontinued at any time when requested.

"Our subscription price is $1 a year, and to those who pay in advance before the 1st of Jan- uary next we will send the paper until January, 1885-fourteen months from date."

The Register is, really, an ably conducted paper, and though unpretentious as to size, has doubtless, before it, a brilliant future.

Louis A. W. Sprague

was born June 23, 1862, at Oxford, Rock Co., Wis. He moved to Brodhead with his parents - Burr Sprague and Vina B. Sprague-when six years old, and has resided there ever since. He was educated in Brodhead at the high school. He has worked at the printing business since the fall of 1878, most of the time in Brodhead. He opened a jobbing office Nov. 1, 1881, and has since kept the same in operation. He con- menced the publication of the Brodhead Register, Nov. 1, 1883. Ile married Dec. 31, 1883, Mattie E. Barber, of Brodhead.

ALBANY WEEKLY JOURNAL.

The first paper was a seven column folio by I. S. Dexter and Y. T. Lacey in 1858 or 1859. In the early part of the year 1860 the paper passed into the hands of Joseph Baker, under the original name of the Albany Times, who

ran it about one year, when it was purchased by Dexter & Klaesy, who continued its publication until August, 1862, when the enlistment of the junior editor (Gustave Klaesy) in United States service, together with the entire force of the office, caused its suspension. In the fall of 1865, at the close of the war, C. W. Osgood and your humble servant, J. E. Bartlett, revived the pa- triotic old type, and under the name of the Al- bany Journal, which existed for the short period of six months. In June, 1878, the Journal was again started by Brundage & Bullock. After running about six months it passed into the hands of the present proprietor, J. E. Bartlett. When it was survived this time it was changed to a five column quarto, 26x40 inches. It had been a staunch republican paper. Its entire outfit, presses, type, etc., save the file of copies, was destroyed by fire on the 26th of November, 1883, together with a large part of the business portion of the village, but was immediately re- established and published, only losing one issue.

John E. Bartlett,

editor of the Albany Journal, was born in the town of Corinth, State of New York, Aug. 9, 1847. In 1856 he came with his parents to Wisconsin, and located in Beloit, Rock county. His parents now reside in Brodhead. In 1857 he came to Albany, and in 1858 was appren- ticed to Lacy & Dexter, editors and proprietors of the Albany Times, to learn the printer's trade, for which business he seemed to have a natural adaptation. He remained upon the force publishing that paper nutil 1862. Mean- while the Times had changed hands twice, be- ing controlled after the first change by Joseph Baker, who was in turn succeeded by Dexter & Klaesy. Upon the 6th day of August, 1862, the subject of this sketch, together with the junior editor (Gustave Klaesy), and C. W. Os- good and Ira A. Foster, associate employes, re- sponded to the call of his country and enlisted in company F, 31st regiment, Wisconsin Vol- unteers. This company was organized by Capt. C. W. Burns. This action of so many of the

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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 85

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