History of Hillsdale county. Michigan, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers.

84

HISTORY OF HILLSDALE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

seat of justice of the county, and its representative town,
it naturally became the scene of the first newspaper enterprise. With the settlement of Hillsdale we find the same
encouragement given to the press, and the successful papers
of the county have not only received a steady support, but
have continued to increase in proportion and influence until,
at this date, they wield a decided power in the county.
Many of the journals set on foot, however, were of very
ephemeral existence,-a few months beginning and ending
their brief career,-while others passed through various
vicissitudes and frequently changed publishers. All of
them were more or less associated with the political issues
of the day, and at periods when partisan feelings ran
highest, the press of Hillsdale County often proved a powerful lever in affecting the destinies of the campaign.
Aside from its political prestige, the press of the county
is noted for the ability displayed in its editorial columns,
and the excellence of its general reading matter.
The Hillsdale County Gazette.-The first newspaper
published in this county was the Hillsdale Counlty Gazette. Politically it was an adherent of the Jeffersonian
Democratic school, though it gave room to articles from the
various parties of the day.
Its first publisher was Charles G. McKay, and its first
editor and proprietor James K. Kinman. Hon. W. W.
Murphy was also interested in it, and among others who
contributed to its columns were John T. Blois, Esq., now
of Jonesville (who, in 1838, published a gazetteer of the
State of Michigan), Robert Allen, and several others. The
first number was issued at Jonesville, April 13, 1839, and
on the 26th of October of the same year S. D. Brewster
was substituted as publisher. In May of 1843 the paper
was removed to Hillsdale, and continued under the same
control until Oct. 7, 1844, when Messrs. McCollum &
Graves assumed its management; I. H. McCollum and
Clement E. Babb being its editors. Affairs remained thus
until the 17th of August, 1846, when Mead & Swegles
became editors and proprietors, continuing in that relation
until the 1st of October following. Later publishers were
Ambler & Wooden, from Nov. 22, 1849, to Oct. 14,1852.
Mr. Ambler succeeded in 1852, and in 1855 the office and
appointments were purchased by N. B. Welper, who removed it to Three Rivers, and remained until 1859.
He then returned to Hillsdale, and established the paper
again, under the name of the Hillsdale Democrat, which
title it bears at the present time.
The Hillsdale Democrat.-H. B. Andrews and Wm.
H. Tallman purchased the sheet June 15, 1866, and
continued their partnership until Aug. 15, 1867. Mr.
Andrews then retired, and Mr. Tallman assumed full control as editor and publisher, and still continues its proprietor. The Democrat is the acknowledged organ of the
party whose name it bears, and has from time to time done
good service in its cause. The press upon which it is
printed is the oldest in the county, and one of the oldest
in Southern Michigan. The paper has passed through

many vicissitudes and been subject to many changes; Mr.
Tallman having controlled it longer than any previous publisher. In regard to size it may be designated as a 24 by
36, seven-column folio.

The Jonesville Expositor.-This journal has the distinction of being the first Whig newspaper published in Hillsdale County. Its first issue bore date Oct. 15, 1840, and
its publishers were an association of twenty-six members,
who styled themselves the " Hillsdale County Whig Association." The officers of the association were Elisha P.
Champlin, President; John T. Blois, Secretary; Henry L.
Hewitt, Sanford R. Smith, and Henry A. Delavan, Directors. They were to be governed by an elaborate series
of " Articles of Agreement," nineteen in number, which
were adopted in November, 1840.
In the first issue of the paper, its purpose is declared to
be the support of the Whig candidates for presidential and
vice-presidential honors,-at that time William Henry
Harrison and John Tyler,-and the most sturdy opposition to the administration of President Van Buren. Its
prospectus announces it to be the " fearless and unflinching
opponent of the administration, and the supporter of reform." " Already," it adds, " has a spirit of resistance to
despotism swept with mighty influence over this Union.
Already does the breeze wafted by the spirit of reform blow
a perfect hurricane, and sound the death-knell of LocoFocoism. The reformers contend for their dearest rights,the rights of civil' liberty. Their opponents struggle to
maintain a power they have shamefully abused, and keep
within their grasp the spoils of office."
It follows with a declaration of the fact that the Expositor will support those principles that alone can render
our cherished and loved institutions safe from the blighting
influence of despotic power.
During the year 1841, the affairs of the office were managed by John Jermain; but on the 20th of' January, 1842,
Charles Powell and H. L. Hewitt were authorized by the
association to settle with Mr. Jermain, receive from him
the material in the office, consisting of type, presses, etc.,
and dispose of it to the best advantage. Mr. Morton, of
Monroe, received permission, Jan. 22, 1842, to enter the
office and begin the publication of a Whig newspaper, al d
the Expositor was accordingly continued until Aug. 10,
1843, when its publishers removed it to Adrian, Lenawee
Co., and changed its title to that of the Adrian Expositor.
The Hillsdale Whig Standard.-During the early history
of the press of Hillsdale, among the employees in the office
of the old Gazette were Stephen D. Clark and Harvey B.
Rowlson, who learned and practiced the printer's art when
much work and little pay was the reward of the faithful
type-setter. Mr. Rowlson had then the distinction of being
the first " printer's devil" who catered to the wants of the
reading public of Hillsdale. Mr. Clark and Mr. Rowlson
both finally sought a broader field of labor, the latter gentleman going to New Orleans. At this time the Democratic element was strong in the county, the press generally advocating the cause of that party; and the Whigs
being in a decided minority, partly from the fact that
there was no paper to advocate their claims and principles.
The gentlemen above referred to, comprehending the situation and recognizing a field of action which, though

at that time limited, could by labor and application be
broadened and made useful, gave all their energies to the
work of establishing a Whig newspaper at Hillsdale. They