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Harry B. Blackmun

Harry B. Blackmun, of the firm of Blackmun & McClintock, former publishers of the Fayette County Union, became connected with that paper in April, 1887. It is the only Democratic paper in the county and our subject was its editor and manager. It receives a generous support and the office is well equipped with the latest improved machinery for doing all kinds of work. The history of Mr. Blackmun is as follows: He was born in Rock County, Wis., July 15, 1857, and is a son of Otis L. and Abbie (Jones) Blackmun, the former a native of Ohio, and the latter of Illinois. They became early settlers of Rock County, Wis., where Mr. Blackmun carried on farming in connection with his trade of carpentering. He died in September, 1885, at the age of fifty-four years and his wife died July 9, 1865, at the age of twenty-nine years. To them were born four children, two sons and two daughters, namely: Frank, Harry B., Mary A. and Anna R.

The subject of this sketch received a common education in the village school, which was supplemented by a course in the Evansville Seminary. At the age of eighteen he began learning the printer's trade being first employed on the Evansville Journal for a few months, after which he went to Cresco, Iowa, where he secured employment on the force of the Howard County Times. Later, in 1876, he came to West Union, entered the office of the Fayette County Union where he remained until 1880, when he went to Rhode Island. He spent a year and a half in that State, during which time he was connected with the Burrillville Gazette. Returning to Evansville, Wis., he became assistant editor of the Enterprise, a paper published at that place, and held the position four years, at the expiration of which time he established the Evansville Tribune, conducting the same year. He then came to West Union and assumed the editorship of the paper, which he sold to Hon. W. H. Butler January 1, 1891.

On the 8th of May, 1884, Mr. Blackmun was united in marriage with Miss Nell B. daughter of William McClintock. The young couple are widely and favorably known and in the social world are held in high regard. Mr. Blackmun is a member of the Knights of Pythias Lodge of West Union. The paper of which he was the head is a bright newsy sheet, well deserving a liberal patronage and its circulation is constantly increasing.