Newspapers
Biography of David J. Schnebly
David J. Schnebly, born in 1818 near Hagerstown, Maryland, was a pioneering editor who established the first newspaper on the Pacific coast, the Spectator, in Oregon in 1850. After gaining the trust of the community, he became its editor and proprietor until 1854. Following his tenure in journalism, he ventured into ranching and later freight and toll bridge constructions, facing financial challenges. He eventually became the sole publisher of the Kittitass Localizer in 1883, where he continued to make significant contributions until his later years.
Biography of Hon. Eugene Semple
Eugene Semple, born in Bogota, South America, in 1840, was a prominent figure in the Pacific Northwest. After completing his law degree in 1863, he moved to Oregon, where he opened a law office and later became editor of the Daily Oregon Herald. His public service included roles as state printer, police commissioner, and clerk in Portland, ultimately becoming governor of Washington Territory. Married in 1870, he had four children and maintained a stellar reputation throughout his career until his death.
Biographical Sketch of George F. Schorr
George F. Schorr is the influential editor of the Northwest Tribune, the oldest newspaper in Eastern Washington, established in 1879. Originally from California, Schorr honed his skills in the printing trade after attending the University of California, Berkeley. He joined the Tribune in 1884, enhancing its reputation with a focus on agriculture and impartial news delivery. In 1885, he married Carrie Bried, a fellow graduate. Schorr’s editorial leadership has significantly contributed to the paper’s financial and literary success while serving the farming community.
Biography of W. H. Taylor
W. H. Taylor, born in Michigan in 1851, transitioned from farming to journalism, becoming foreman at a leading paper before publishing the Daily Evening Argus. Discovering opportunities in Salt Lake City, he took control of the Tribune, elevating it to a prominent status and significantly impacting the local Mormon hierarchy. After advocating for American principles in Utah, he settled in Washington, where he served as mayor of Spokane Falls and became president of the Spokane National Bank. A notable businessman and community figure, Taylor exemplifies committed citizenship and leadership.
Biographical Sketch of Dr. R. F. Burgess
Dr. R. F. Burgess, born in 1834 in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, was raised in New York and Michigan. After his father’s death, he supported his family and served in the Civil War. Following the war, he studied dentistry and practiced in Michigan before moving to California in 1874 due to his wife’s health. He settled in Santa Ana, where he became a prominent figure in the community, involved with local journalism and the Baptist Church. He was married to Carrie E. Allured in 1859.
Biographical Sketch of Henry A. Peabody
Henry A. Peabody, born in Detroit in 1837, began his career as a newsboy in Cincinnati before moving to California in 1857. After working as a printer, he enlisted in the Confederate Army during the Civil War, rising through the ranks and sustaining wounds. Post-war, he returned to California and held various positions in the printing industry, ultimately managing the Santa Ana Blade by 1890. He is a family man, with aspirations to continue serving his country for many more years.
Biography of George Ridgeley Broadbere
George Ridgeley Broadbere, born in New York City and educated at Cambridge, began his journalism career as a war correspondent during the Zulu War. He later worked for various newspapers across the United States, including the New Orleans Picayune and the Kansas Daily Tribune. In 1881, he established the Mirror in Kansas before moving to New Mexico and then Los Angeles. He founded the Santa Ana Free Press, leading it to success after gaining extensive journalism experience. Broadbere was married in 1880 and had three children.
Biography of Carey R. Smith
Carey R. Smith, born in 1843 in New York, was the son of Rev. Dexter P. Smith. He moved to Iowa in 1845, educated at the State University of Iowa. After serving in the Civil War, he managed a dairy farm and later bred Holstein cattle, gaining recognition as an inspector of the American Holstein Breeding Association. After moving to Santa Ana, California, he became the first president of the Savings Bank of Santa Ana in 1889 and was instrumental in local development efforts, including promoting railroads and civic projects.
Biographical Sketch of Henry and Charles Kuchel
Henry and Charles Kuchel became editors and proprietors of the Anaheim Gazette in 1887, following in the footsteps of their father, Conrad Kuchel, an early Anaheim settler and engineer. Born in San Francisco in 1859, Henry received his education locally and learned the printing trade at the Gazette. With a decade of experience in major newspapers across California, he has proven himself a skilled newspaperman, poised for future prominence in journalism in Southern California.
Biography of Judge Aaron E. Wait
Judge Aaron E. Wait, born in 1813 in Massachusetts, became a significant figure in Oregon’s early history. After learning the broom trade, he pursued law and moved to Michigan, where he engaged in politics. In 1847, he traveled to Oregon, eventually editing the Oregon Statesman and serving as assistant commissary-general during the Cayuse War. Wait was the first chief justice of the Oregon Supreme Court, participated in land claims, and declined several political offices, emphasizing his dedication to law over public office. He later retired to farming and remained influential in the community until his passing.
Social Development of Todd County, Kentucky
Todd County’s early society originated from Virginia, North Carolina, and Tennessee, forming a predominantly democratic and egalitarian community despite occasional pretensions of superiority among Virginians. Financial limitations marked early settlers, but slavery became a significant economic institution, fostering a spirit of caste. The abolition of slavery in 1865 led to societal shifts, yet challenges persisted as both races struggled to adapt to newfound responsibilities. Limited communication and a lack of robust journalism hampered development, exacerbating issues of education and local progress.