The Chadron Record newspaper has been around for a long time. Originally known as the Dawes County Journal (that does have a familiar ring to it!) the paper was founded by E. E. (Ed) Egan shortly after he arrived in Chadron back in 1884.
Of course, lots of other folks ran the newspaper over the years, including Maurice Van Newkirk, Don Huls, and many others. But this time we offer you a bit about George C. Snow, the fellow who bought the old Journal newspaper from Ed Egan, and who probably had as distinguished career as any of the green eyeshade folks.
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| George C. Snow |
A native of Illinois, Snow served as publisher and editor of the paper for many years. He is mentioned several times in the Chadron Centennial History published in 1985. We found this photo and the following biographical sketch in the 1921 publication History of Western Nebraska and Its People.
Edited by Grant Shumway of Scottsbluff, it includes biographies, photos, and additional information about people and places in 11 panhandle counties. It reads...
GEORGE C. SNOW, editor and
proprietor of the Chadron Journal, and a member of the Nebraska State
Legislature, worthily occupies a position of great prominence in the state. He
has been the recipient of many honors, both political and personal, in his long
career, and his fellow citizens have frequently testified to their sincere
esteem. Many have known him longest and best in the field of journalism, for
Mr. Snow is the oldest editor, in point of service, in this part of the
country.
George
C. Snow was born in De Kalb county, Illinois, March 5, 1874. His parents are
Rev. Beecher O. and Stella (Lyon) Snow, natives of New York, born in 1853 and
1854 respectively. They now reside at Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the father being a
retired minister of the Congregational church, for twenty years having served
as Home Missionary Pastor for Nebraska. Of his four children, George C. is the
only one living at Chadron. At Franklin Academy and Doane College in Nebraska,
Mr. Snow pursued his studies until early manhood, then accepted the
superintendency of a Congregational academy at Snohomish, Washington; going
from there to Eureka, Kansas, and then came to Chadron, Nebraska.
Mr. Snow then
bought the Chadron Journal, which is the oldest newspaper west of
Valentine. It was established by Edward Egan, the press and cases being set up
in a wagon before any railroads had been constructed through this section. It
has always been Republican in political policy, and it subscription list since
Mr. Snow took charge has extended all through Dawes, Sioux and Box Butte
counties, where not only are his editorial talents greatly appreciated but
confidence is inspired as to his safe and sane leadership in questions touching
upon the treasured basic principle of American independence.
Mr. Snow
has been publishing the Journal for the past fifteen years. He now has
his own building and one of the best fitted offices and finest equipped
printing plants in the state and in connection with the newspaper, operates a
large and profitable job office, his printing force including a number of
competent employes.
Mr. Snow
was married at Farnam, Dawson county, Nebraska, July 24, 1901, to Miss Mary
Batty, who is a daughter of Rev. George and Celestine (Greswold) Batty, and
they have four children, namely: Clayton B., Mildred A., George B., and Mary M.
Mr. Snow and his family are members of the Congregational church.
Mr. Snow has always been a consistent Republican and
his work for the party has been loyally and unselfishly performed, has been
called to many party councils and given yeoman service in senatorial and
gubernational (sic) campaigns. In the late legislative election of the
Seventy-fourth District, that includes Dawes and Sioux counties,
Mr. Snow was
sent to the House of Representatives for the second time, his election being
widely welcomed by those who appreciate his ability and honor his sterling
character. In local affairs Mr. Snow has never been negligent since becoming a
citizen of Chadron, at all times assuming his share of citizenship
responsibilities and helping bear the burden of taxation or inconvenience, with
better conditions always in hopeful sight.
For six years he served as a member
of the board of education and during three years was president of this body. He
now is president of the Nebraska State Press Association, being elected in
February 1921, and is one of five newspaper editors appointed by the governor
to attend the World Newspaper Congress in Honolula (sic) in October, 1921.
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NOTE: In 1928, just seven years after the above biography was published, Snow's wife, Mary, died. She is buried at Greenwood Cemetery in Chadron. In 1932 Snow married again, this time to Myrtle Musser of Rushville.
George C. Snow died in 1942. He, too, is buried at Greenwood Cemetery.
The original three-volume set History of Western Nebraska and Its People was printed by Western Publishing and Engraving Co. of Lincoln, Nebraska. Thanks to the NEBGenWeb Project for their work in getting this important document posted on line. You'll find it at: http://www.usgennet.org
