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James E. Child, pioneer editor and attorney, and one of the best-known men in Waseca county, passed away last Sunday morning. He had been ill for over a year, suffering from cirrhosis of the liver and other complications, and the end was not unexpected. Although confined to his house all the time, he was able to be up and around. He shaved himself until two weeks prior to his death, and did not take to his bed until the afternoon before he passed away. His mind was clear and active nearly all the time. He spoke to his family and physician during the early hours of Saturday evening and then passed into a sleep from which he never awakened. The end came at three o'clock Sunday morning.
James Erwin Child was born in Jefferson county, New York, on December 19, 1833. His youth was spent in New York and Ohio and his early manhood in Wisconsin. He came to Waseca county in 1855, and took a homestead in the township of Wilton. On April 19, 1856, he was married to Miss Justina Krassin, who survives him. Nine children were born to them, six of whom survive. They are Walter Child of Lakefield, Minn.; Mrs. F. A. Wood and Mrs. G. H. Goodspeed of this city; Mrs. Mark D. Ashley of Jackson, Minn.; and George Child of Denmare, N. D. Deceased also has two brothers and one sister living. They are S. P. Child of Shakopee, Stephen Child of Lentz, Ore., and Mrs. Julia M. Willis of California.
During his varied and interesting career Mr. Child followed numerous avocations, including carpenter, school teacher, farmer, lawyer, banker and publisher, but the greater part of his life was devoted to the newspaper profession and it was as an editor and publisher that he was best known. His first newspaper work was in the fall of 1863, when he became editor of the Wilton Weekly News. He was connected with the newspaper business almost continuously from that time until last October, when he sold the Herald to the present publisher. On October 27, 1911, the day on which he sold the paper, he penned forceful editorial on "fearless journalism" and bade adieu to the friends of a lifetime. This was his last public utterance. Since then he has been preparing his temporal affairs for the inevitable end, which he knew was close at hand.
The following brief sketch of the life of the deceased during the last 49 years is taken from Child's History of Waseca County, published in 1905:
"James E. Child carried on his farm in South Wilton from 1855 to 1863, when he entered upon the practice of law in Wilton. In the fall of 1863 he commenced newspaper work, and with the exception of about four years spent on a farm in Jackson county, from 1881 to 1885, has made newspaper work his principal business. he was chairman of town supervisors, school district clerk, county attorney, member of the legislature in 1861 and justice of the peace while on his farm in Wilton. He was deputy United States marshal in 1863-4, and had charge of the draft in several towns of the county. After that he served as county attorney, judge of probate, superintendent of schools, municipal judge of Waseca from 1890 to 1892, member of the house of representatives in 1874 and again in 1883. the latest work of his life thus far is the production of this history - labor more pleasant than profitable. He has served as president of the Waseca charter commission since appointment and organization in 1892."
Mr. Child was also an official of the First National Bank of Waseca for many years, retiring from the presidency of that institution a year ago. He was a man of very pronounced convictions, strong in his likes and dislikes, and always fearless and outspoken on all topics of public interest. A man of his type naturally made enemies, but he also made warm, steadfast friends. Among personal friends he was genial, kind and companionable, and in his home life he was a devoted, affectionate husband and father, whose memory will ever be cherished by those he left behind.
The funeral took place from the Congregational church at two o'clock yesterday afternoon and was largely attended. It was conducted under the auspices of the local Masonic lodge, in accordance with the expressed wish of the deceased. The services were conducted by Reverend Roberts, after which the remains were laid to rest in Woodville cemetery.
James Erwin Child was born in Jefferson county, New York, on December 19, 1833. His youth was spent in New York and Ohio and his early manhood in Wisconsin. He came to Waseca county in 1855, and took a homestead in the township of Wilton. On April 19, 1856, he was married to Miss Justina Krassin, who survives him. Nine children were born to them, six of whom survive. They are Walter Child of Lakefield, Minn.; Mrs. F. A. Wood and Mrs. G. H. Goodspeed of this city; Mrs. Mark D. Ashley of Jackson, Minn.; and George Child of Denmare, N. D. Deceased also has two brothers and one sister living. They are S. P. Child of Shakopee, Stephen Child of Lentz, Ore., and Mrs. Julia M. Willis of California.
During his varied and interesting career Mr. Child followed numerous avocations, including carpenter, school teacher, farmer, lawyer, banker and publisher, but the greater part of his life was devoted to the newspaper profession and it was as an editor and publisher that he was best known. His first newspaper work was in the fall of 1863, when he became editor of the Wilton Weekly News. He was connected with the newspaper business almost continuously from that time until last October, when he sold the Herald to the present publisher. On October 27, 1911, the day on which he sold the paper, he penned forceful editorial on "fearless journalism" and bade adieu to the friends of a lifetime. This was his last public utterance. Since then he has been preparing his temporal affairs for the inevitable end, which he knew was close at hand.
The following brief sketch of the life of the deceased during the last 49 years is taken from Child's History of Waseca County, published in 1905:
"James E. Child carried on his farm in South Wilton from 1855 to 1863, when he entered upon the practice of law in Wilton. In the fall of 1863 he commenced newspaper work, and with the exception of about four years spent on a farm in Jackson county, from 1881 to 1885, has made newspaper work his principal business. he was chairman of town supervisors, school district clerk, county attorney, member of the legislature in 1861 and justice of the peace while on his farm in Wilton. He was deputy United States marshal in 1863-4, and had charge of the draft in several towns of the county. After that he served as county attorney, judge of probate, superintendent of schools, municipal judge of Waseca from 1890 to 1892, member of the house of representatives in 1874 and again in 1883. the latest work of his life thus far is the production of this history - labor more pleasant than profitable. He has served as president of the Waseca charter commission since appointment and organization in 1892."
Mr. Child was also an official of the First National Bank of Waseca for many years, retiring from the presidency of that institution a year ago. He was a man of very pronounced convictions, strong in his likes and dislikes, and always fearless and outspoken on all topics of public interest. A man of his type naturally made enemies, but he also made warm, steadfast friends. Among personal friends he was genial, kind and companionable, and in his home life he was a devoted, affectionate husband and father, whose memory will ever be cherished by those he left behind.
The funeral took place from the Congregational church at two o'clock yesterday afternoon and was largely attended. It was conducted under the auspices of the local Masonic lodge, in accordance with the expressed wish of the deceased. The services were conducted by Reverend Roberts, after which the remains were laid to rest in Woodville cemetery.
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