Charles Pettibone facts for kids

Charles Alexander Pettibone (born May 26, 1841 – died November 30, 1925) was an American newspaper editor from Wisconsin. He was also a politician, serving in the Wisconsin State Senate. Later, he worked as the sergeant-at-arms for the Senate.

Early Life and Education

Charles Pettibone was born on May 26, 1841, in Hartsville, New York. His family moved to Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, in 1850. Charles went to public schools. He also studied at the Wayland Academy and Lawrence University.

Serving in the Civil War

During the American Civil War, Charles joined the Union Army. He enlisted on August 15, 1861. He was part of Company C of the 1st Wisconsin Cavalry. He started as a private and became a second lieutenant. Eventually, he reached the rank of captain. He fought in many battles with his regiment. He left the army on March 7, 1865.

After the War

After the war, Pettibone returned to Wisconsin. For a while, he worked as a schoolteacher. He also tried farming. On May 26, 1865, he married Emily Maria Brown. They had five children together.

A Career in Newspapers

Charles Pettibone had some experience with newspapers during the war. He published a newspaper for his army unit. This was when they were stationed in Cleveland, Tennessee.

Starting Newspapers in Wisconsin

In 1874, he started his own weekly paper. It was called the New London News. This was in New London. When that paper didn't work out, he started another one. In 1877, he began The Telephone. This paper was later known as the Juneau Telephone. It was published in Mayville.

Political Journey

In 1886, Charles Pettibone bought the Horicon Reporter newspaper. This was in Horicon. That same year, he was elected to the 13th district of the Senate. This district covered Dodge County.

Serving in the Senate

He ran as an Independent candidate. He won with 4,621 votes. He served a four-year term. In the Senate, he worked on important committees. He was on the committee for railroads. He also led the joint committee on printing.

Later Political Roles

He did not run for re-election in 1890. A Democrat named William Voss took his place. In 1895, Pettibone became the sergeant-at-arms for the Senate. This role involves keeping order and managing the Senate's daily operations.

In 1896, he tried to get back his old Senate seat. This time, he ran as a Republican. However, he lost to Michael Burke. By 1897, he had sold the Reporter. He moved to Oconomowoc. There, he and his sons, Daniel and Stanley, published a newspaper. It was called the Oconomowoc Republican. They had bought it and changed its name from the Oconomowoc Democrat.

Life After Oconomowoc

Charles Pettibone stayed as sergeant-at-arms until 1903. Around that time, the Pettibone family sold the Republican. They then bought the Watertown Republican. They ran this paper for two years before selling it too.

Moving to Waupun

After that, he moved to Waupun. There, he helped Wilford A. Sanborn. Wilford owned the Waupun Leader newspaper. Wilford was also married to Charles's daughter, Hannah.

Final Years

Charles Pettibone was a member of several groups. These included the Freemasons, the Odd Fellows, and the Grand Army of the Republic. The Grand Army of the Republic was a group for Civil War veterans.

In March 1917, a letter from Pettibone was published. It was in a newspaper in Missouri. In the letter, he talked about America joining World War I. He compared it to his own early days as a soldier. He said his Civil War service was much tougher than his early training. Charles Pettibone passed away on November 30, 1925. He is buried with his wife Emily in Forest Mound Cemetery in Waupun. Emily died in April 1937.