Samuel Bowles (journalist)
Encyclopedia
Samuel Bowles III was an American
journalist
born in Springfield, Massachusetts
. Beginning in 1844 he was the publisher and editor of The Republican (Springfield), a position he held until his death in 1878.
The winter of 1844-1845 he became ill, and he was obliged to spend some time in the South. A series of fifteen letters, descriptive of southern experiences, contributed to the paper at this time, were widely read. In December 1845, the Republican became a morning paper, and with the change followed the severe night-work for the editors. The father meanwhile devoted more attention to the counting-room, and the son occupied himself more exclusively with the editorial duties, in which he was ably assisted by Dr. Josiah Gilbert Holland
, who continued with the paper as editor until 1857, and as a contributor until 1864.
By 1850 the Republican had acquired the largest circulation of any daily paper in New England
, outside of Boston, and as fast as the money came in it was expended in increasing the plant. In 1851 the father died, and the entire management devolved on the young Bowles, who was then twenty-five years old. During the years that followed the time was occupied with incessant work and hard struggles. The paper was steadily growing in reputation and circulation, and its editor becoming known as an industrious, bold, and fearless journalist.
Bowles was highly involved in all aspects of the paper's operations and retained primary editorial control for most of his career. During his tenure, the paper gained its national reputation, though it remained largely regional and local in its concerns, featuring news from Springfield and surrounding small towns. At the time, the New York Tribune
called it "the best and ablest country journal published on the continent." In 1857 Bowles attempted to expand into the Boston market by partnering to publish the Boston Traveller. As the new venture was largely unsuccessful, he left the partnership after a few months to return as editor of the Republican.
Alongside its news items, the Republican published sermons, poetry, short fiction, and took a strong moral and political editorial stance. During the controversies affecting slavery
and resulting in the American Civil War
, Bowles's paper supported, in general, the Whig
and Republican
parties and an anti-slavery agenda. In the period of Reconstruction under President Grant, his paper represented anti-administration or Liberal Republican opinions. In 1872 the Republican supported Horace Greeley
in his campaign for the presidency. In the disputed election of 1876
he favored the claims of Samuel J. Tilden
, the reform candidate who won the popular vote but lost the Electoral College. Subsequently, the paper became independent in politics.
The long-running success of Bowles's paper was attributed not only to its subject matter and local relevancy but also to its lively, concise, and professionally written style. George S. Merriam in his Life and Times of Samuel Bowles (1885) described Bowles's style in the following way:
During his lifetime, and subsequently, the Republican office was a sort of school for young journalists, especially in the matter of pungency and conciseness of style, one of his maxims being “put it all in the first paragraph.”
In 1865 he made a journey to the Pacific coast with a large company, and in 1868 travelled as far as Colorado. In 1869 he again crossed the continent. He visited Europe in 1862, and again in 1870, 1871, and 1874; indeed, frequent trips were a necessity to him on account of ill health, his constitution having long since been impaired by over-work. Bowles published two books of travel, Across the Continent (1865) and The Switzerland of America (1869), which were combined into one volume under the title Our New West
(1869). His The Pacific Railroad Open, How to Go, What to See was a small collection of papers that originally appeared in the Atlantic Monthly (Boston, 1869).
While an author himself, Bowles was friends with notable men and women of American letters
. Josiah Gilbert Holland
, a novelist and poet, was both a friend to Bowles and an associate of the Republican. Bowles was also a close friend and correspondent with the poet Emily Dickinson
and her family. It has been speculated that he is the subject of Dickinson's romantic and submissive "Master" letters, though this is debated among scholars.
In 1848 Bowles married Mary Schermerhorn, and together they had several children. Bowles died in Springfield in 1878, and he was succeeded as publisher and editor-in-chief of the Republican by his son Samuel Bowles (IV) (1851-1915). Samuel Bowles (IV) married Elizabeth Hoar, the daughter of Ebenezer R. Hoar
and niece of George Frisbie Hoar
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
journalist
History of American newspapers
The history of American newspapers goes back to the 17th century with the publication of the first colonial newspapers.-Colonial period:-The New England Courant:...
born in Springfield, Massachusetts
Springfield, Massachusetts
Springfield is the most populous city in Western New England, and the seat of Hampden County, Massachusetts, United States. Springfield sits on the eastern bank of the Connecticut River near its confluence with three rivers; the western Westfield River, the eastern Chicopee River, and the eastern...
. Beginning in 1844 he was the publisher and editor of The Republican (Springfield), a position he held until his death in 1878.
Biography
Bowles was educated in public schools. After some time spent at the high school, he was finished at a private institution run by George Eaton, in Springfield. Bowles inherited the Republican from his father, Samuel Bowles (II) (1797-1851), who had established the paper as a weekly in 1824. At the age of seventeen years he began working in the printing-office. For a year his work consisted in the miscellaneous duties of office-boy, and included everything except the writing of leading editorials. In 1844 he persuaded his father to publish the paper daily, and on 27 March of that year the first daily issue appeared. The principal duties of the management of the new journal fell on young Bowles.The winter of 1844-1845 he became ill, and he was obliged to spend some time in the South. A series of fifteen letters, descriptive of southern experiences, contributed to the paper at this time, were widely read. In December 1845, the Republican became a morning paper, and with the change followed the severe night-work for the editors. The father meanwhile devoted more attention to the counting-room, and the son occupied himself more exclusively with the editorial duties, in which he was ably assisted by Dr. Josiah Gilbert Holland
Josiah Gilbert Holland
Josiah Gilbert Holland was an American novelist and poet who also wrote under the pseudonym Timothy Titcomb. He helped to found and edit Scribner's Monthly , in which appeared his novels, Arthur Bonnicastle, The Story of Sevenoaks, Nicholas Minturn...
, who continued with the paper as editor until 1857, and as a contributor until 1864.
By 1850 the Republican had acquired the largest circulation of any daily paper in New England
New England
New England is a region in the northeastern corner of the United States consisting of the six states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut...
, outside of Boston, and as fast as the money came in it was expended in increasing the plant. In 1851 the father died, and the entire management devolved on the young Bowles, who was then twenty-five years old. During the years that followed the time was occupied with incessant work and hard struggles. The paper was steadily growing in reputation and circulation, and its editor becoming known as an industrious, bold, and fearless journalist.
Bowles was highly involved in all aspects of the paper's operations and retained primary editorial control for most of his career. During his tenure, the paper gained its national reputation, though it remained largely regional and local in its concerns, featuring news from Springfield and surrounding small towns. At the time, the New York Tribune
New York Tribune
The New York Tribune was an American newspaper, first established by Horace Greeley in 1841, which was long considered one of the leading newspapers in the United States...
called it "the best and ablest country journal published on the continent." In 1857 Bowles attempted to expand into the Boston market by partnering to publish the Boston Traveller. As the new venture was largely unsuccessful, he left the partnership after a few months to return as editor of the Republican.
Alongside its news items, the Republican published sermons, poetry, short fiction, and took a strong moral and political editorial stance. During the controversies affecting slavery
Slavery
Slavery is a system under which people are treated as property to be bought and sold, and are forced to work. Slaves can be held against their will from the time of their capture, purchase or birth, and deprived of the right to leave, to refuse to work, or to demand compensation...
and resulting in the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
, Bowles's paper supported, in general, the Whig
Whig Party (United States)
The Whig Party was a political party of the United States during the era of Jacksonian democracy. Considered integral to the Second Party System and operating from the early 1830s to the mid-1850s, the party was formed in opposition to the policies of President Andrew Jackson and his Democratic...
and Republican
History of the United States Republican Party
The United States Republican Party is the second oldest currently existing political party in the United States after its great rival, the Democratic Party. It emerged in 1854 to combat the Kansas Nebraska Act which threatened to extend slavery into the territories, and to promote more vigorous...
parties and an anti-slavery agenda. In the period of Reconstruction under President Grant, his paper represented anti-administration or Liberal Republican opinions. In 1872 the Republican supported Horace Greeley
Horace Greeley
Horace Greeley was an American newspaper editor, a founder of the Liberal Republican Party, a reformer, a politician, and an outspoken opponent of slavery...
in his campaign for the presidency. In the disputed election of 1876
United States presidential election, 1876
The United States presidential election of 1876 was one of the most disputed and controversial presidential elections in American history. Samuel J. Tilden of New York outpolled Ohio's Rutherford B. Hayes in the popular vote, and had 184 electoral votes to Hayes's 165, with 20 votes uncounted...
he favored the claims of Samuel J. Tilden
Samuel J. Tilden
Samuel Jones Tilden was the Democratic candidate for the U.S. presidency in the disputed election of 1876, one of the most controversial American elections of the 19th century. He was the 25th Governor of New York...
, the reform candidate who won the popular vote but lost the Electoral College. Subsequently, the paper became independent in politics.
The long-running success of Bowles's paper was attributed not only to its subject matter and local relevancy but also to its lively, concise, and professionally written style. George S. Merriam in his Life and Times of Samuel Bowles (1885) described Bowles's style in the following way:
His style was admirable,—simple, direct, pure, forcible without being passionate, pungent without being vulgar, often delicately sarcastic and deliciously humorous, never egotistical, never suggesting the writer, always representing the journal, and this as the voice of the people,—he was by nature, by culture, by experience the model modern working journalist. He saw the world without, partly through others, but chiefly through its own words, interpreted to him by his own divine instincts. (p. 107)
During his lifetime, and subsequently, the Republican office was a sort of school for young journalists, especially in the matter of pungency and conciseness of style, one of his maxims being “put it all in the first paragraph.”
In 1865 he made a journey to the Pacific coast with a large company, and in 1868 travelled as far as Colorado. In 1869 he again crossed the continent. He visited Europe in 1862, and again in 1870, 1871, and 1874; indeed, frequent trips were a necessity to him on account of ill health, his constitution having long since been impaired by over-work. Bowles published two books of travel, Across the Continent (1865) and The Switzerland of America (1869), which were combined into one volume under the title Our New West
Our New West. Records of Travel between the Mississippi River and the Pacific Ocean
Our New West. Records of Travel between the Mississippi River and the Pacific Ocean is a book by Samuel Bowles, .It was published in Hartford, Connecticut by The Hartford Publishing Company; and in New York, J.D...
(1869). His The Pacific Railroad Open, How to Go, What to See was a small collection of papers that originally appeared in the Atlantic Monthly (Boston, 1869).
While an author himself, Bowles was friends with notable men and women of American letters
American literature
American literature is the written or literary work produced in the area of the United States and its preceding colonies. For more specific discussions of poetry and theater, see Poetry of the United States and Theater in the United States. During its early history, America was a series of British...
. Josiah Gilbert Holland
Josiah Gilbert Holland
Josiah Gilbert Holland was an American novelist and poet who also wrote under the pseudonym Timothy Titcomb. He helped to found and edit Scribner's Monthly , in which appeared his novels, Arthur Bonnicastle, The Story of Sevenoaks, Nicholas Minturn...
, a novelist and poet, was both a friend to Bowles and an associate of the Republican. Bowles was also a close friend and correspondent with the poet Emily Dickinson
Emily Dickinson
Emily Elizabeth Dickinson was an American poet. Born in Amherst, Massachusetts, to a successful family with strong community ties, she lived a mostly introverted and reclusive life...
and her family. It has been speculated that he is the subject of Dickinson's romantic and submissive "Master" letters, though this is debated among scholars.
In 1848 Bowles married Mary Schermerhorn, and together they had several children. Bowles died in Springfield in 1878, and he was succeeded as publisher and editor-in-chief of the Republican by his son Samuel Bowles (IV) (1851-1915). Samuel Bowles (IV) married Elizabeth Hoar, the daughter of Ebenezer R. Hoar
Ebenezer R. Hoar
Ebenezer Rockwood Hoar was an influential American politician and lawyer from Massachusetts.- Early life :...
and niece of George Frisbie Hoar
George Frisbie Hoar
George Frisbie Hoar was a prominent United States politician and United States Senator from Massachusetts. Hoar was born in Concord, Massachusetts...
.