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E. B. Quiner

Jeffersonian

Democratic State Register

Watertown Chronicle

Edwin B. Quiner WHS_006_311

1850

Watertown Chronicle, 03 13 1850

And Yet More Changes – The Rock River Jeffersonian has “gone the way of all the living!” After a rickety existence of seven months, this jack-o’-lantern Democratic light ceased to emit its feeble rays on the 26th ult. “Sic transit Gloria mundi!” Peace to its ashes!

From the ruins of this ill-fated concern springs up the Democratic State Register! Ostensibly published and edited by E. B. Quiner — Mr. Taylor, whose various political somersets had rendered him an object of suspicion with the Democracy, “retiring from the press,” as he says, in consequence of a “decline of health” – albeit, he is to continue an operative in the office. With Mr. Quiner we have not acquaintance whatever.

These changes make the seventh in the name and proprietorship of the opposition paper in this village, within so many months! Verily this is a world of mutations!

1860

Watertown Democrat, 07 05 1860

History of the Press in Watertown—No. 2

Below we give E. B. Quiner’s experience as a printer in the West in general, and as an editor in Watertown in particular. He now resides in the city of Madison, and for some time past, we believe, has been employed as foreman of the book department of the Wisconsin Patriot. He will be well remembered by most of our citizens as the proprietor of the Democratic State Register, and afterwards in connection with it, of the “Home Circle”—a kind of temperance and horticultural semi-monthly sheet, which met with but little success, and in the end, like all attempts to establish and sustain journals on any other than a political basis, proved a failure.

As far as we have observed, he is the only contributor to the publication of the Wisconsin Editorial Association who has made any allusion to the partisan controversy of this state. Such being the case, it may not be improper to say that when the Republican party was formed, being mortified at the defeat of all his attempts to obtain office, and usually having a personal quarrel with some or all of his Democratic associates on hand—he joined the new organization, and for two sessions was Assistant Clerk of the Assembly. When the office of State Comptroller was created he indulged the delusion that it was intended for his particular benefit, but finding he was regarded as a man bristling with too many thorns and points, and seeing H. A. Tenney bear off the prize, he made a bitter and foolish attack on the official conduct of Gov. Randall, though we believe that gentleman had treated him not only with kindness but liberality, which closed up every avenue to his further promotion by those who held the means of dispersing executive favors.

At the time when these incidents transpired, a very unnecessary question was slightly discussed, as to whether the Democrats gained or the Republicans lost by “his change of front.” How the matter was finally decided we do not know, and we will not express our opinion now. There is nothing wrong in wishing to occupy a prominent or lucrative position under our government, but somehow or other, those in power manage to cut off the heads of most who are eager to “stick their fingers into every pie.” Whether or not such was the intention, it is certain that such has been the fate of our predecessor. Here is his picture of himself:

LETTER FROM E. B. QUINER

Madison, Aug. 19th, 1859.

In complying with your request, that I should furnish the details of my experience in connection with the press of Wisconsin, I find myself at a loss for material to make up a narrative which shall prove of interest to the public.

I first took my place at the case, in the year 1829, in the office of the “Columbian Register,” a well known Democratic paper, published at New Haven, Connecticut, by Col. Jo. Barber, where I remained awhile and then removed to Cincinnati, Ohio.

I arrived in Wisconsin, in the fall of 1839, with my family, from Richmond, Indiana, where I had been engaged for a few years in the printing of the “Jeffersonian” newspaper. I immediately found employment in the office of the “Milwaukee Sentinel,” then published by Harrison Reed, Esq. At that time Milwaukee contained about a thousand inhabitants, and bore unmistakable evidence of the hard times incident upon the speculative spirit of 1836-37, in the number of vacant buildings which stood in different localities upon the town plat. It may not prove uninteresting for me to give a few particulars of the history of the early Milwaukee press . . .

The Sentinel office was located in the lower story of a frame building which was divided in the center . . . the north part was occupied by the father of Mr. Reed, as a stove and tin ware store, who finally sold out to Linus R. Cady and Leonard J. Farwell, then just emigrated to the Territory, and who established themselves in business at Milwaukee.

. . . I have thus given a history of the present Milwaukee English press. With the German press, and its history, I am not familiar.

While residing in Waukesha I became the purchaser of the materials of the “Jeffersonian” newspaper, published in Watertown, and removed to that city, with my family, in 1850. I established the “Democratic State Register,” a seven column paper, which, with the “Chronicle,” published by Mr. Hadley, were the only papers in Dodge and Jefferson counties. In 1847 the “Rock River Pilot” was established by George Hyer, but soon passed into the hands of Judge Butler. The material, however, subsequently passed into my hands and were used in the publication of the Register.

The Register enjoyed a liberal support in both Dodge and Jefferson counties, and I continued its publication as a Democratic sheet until that party passed under the control of “Barstow and the Balance,” when I deemed it my duty, as the conductor of a public press, having the interests of the people at heart, to refuse to support a portion of its candidates for state offices. I considered that the mismanagement of the School Fund, and other matters, which have become a part of the history of the state, demanded that an exposition should be made so that the people of the state could understand their interest, and substitute better men to manage their affairs. I therefore took issue with a portion of the Democratic candidates and declared my independence of party control, and henceforth the Register stood upon independent political ground, and so remained until I sold out my establishment. The materials afterward passed into the hands of Messrs. Chubbuck & Sanborn, and they are now used in the publication of the “Central Wisconsin,” at Wausau.

This ends my connection with the Wisconsin press, except for a short time in 1857, I resuscitated the Watertown Chronicle and continued its publication during the fall campaign and advocated the cause of the Republicans, and sided in the election of A. W. Randall, as Governor of Wisconsin.

My reply is longer than I expected. Hoping it may prove of sufficient interest to be worth perusal, I remain yours, etc.

E. B. QUINER.

Cross References:

Edwin B Quiner, Built Watertown's other octagon house