Joseph Barnes Beach
Joseph Barnes Beach, for some 35 years a distinguished figure in Western Wisconsin journalism, was born in Charlotte, Chittenden County, Vt., May 12, 1853, son of Charles G. and Caroline (Barnes) Beach. He spent his early boyhood in his native state, came to Trempealeau County with the rest of the family at the age of 13, and was reared to farm pursuits in Ettrick Township.
At the age of 21 he entered the office of the Galesville Journal, then conducted by George Luce, and spent two years learning the printers' trade. When Mr. Luce sold to B. E. Clark in 1876 Mr. Beach established the Galesville Independent, under the auspices of the Galesville Printing Association. In 1877 he and E. H. Lowe established the North La Crosse Star. Selling this a short time later he returned to his father's farm.
Frederick E. Beach, a brother, established the Whitehall Times in January, 1880, and in December, of the same year, Joseph B. Beach bought a half interest, buying the other half and assuming full ownership and control five years later. He conducted this paper until March 20, 1915, when, owing to failing health, he leased the plant to his brothers, Frederick E. and Zachary T., and retired. He died May 3, 1916.
Entering political life as a young man, he took a deep interest in public affairs. For 14 years he was chairman of the Republican County Committee. He also served on numerous other committees and delegations, and was a member of many political conventions. In 1897 he did his district good service as a member of the assembly. A Republican of the old type for many years, he later espoused the cause of the progressive wing of that party, and labored zealously in its ranks.
His great joy was in his newspaper work. At the time of his death it was written of him:
“His was a busy life. Possibly he thus overtaxed himself, for it was his delight to be constantly accomplishing some worthy object. Where others found enjoyment in society and travel, work at his desk, or at the case, afforded him all the pleasure his nature seemed to crave. When the day's labor was over he found recreation, in the summer months, in his well-tilled garden, in which he took great pride; during the winter months he found life's greatest joy with his family, in his comfortable home.
“He was pre-eminently a home man, a devoted husband, a sympathetic and loving father, and the training of his children was one of the vital things in his life. Mr. Beach was married Sept. 5, 1889, to Hattie M. Olds, born in Pigeon Township, March 27, 1869, daughter of George H. and Nancy J. (Oliver) Olds, the pioneers. This union has been blessed with four children: Kathryn Florence, Joseph Barnes, Jr. (first), Joseph Barnes, Jr., and George Harrison.
“K. Florence was born Nov. 9, 1893, and is now a high school English teacher. She graduated from the Whitehall high school in 1911 and received the degree of B. A. from Lawrence College at Appleton, Wis., in 1915. While at that institution her scholarship won for her the honor of membership in the Phi Beta Kappa.
“Joseph Barnes, Jr. (first), was born May 3, 1895, and died April 29, 1896. Joseph Barnes, Jr., was born Nov. 10, 1897, was graduated from the Whitehall high school in 1915 and is now a student at the University of Wisconsin. George Harrison was born July 27, 1901, and is a junior in the Whitehall high school.”
(from HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY WISCONSIN
Compiled by Franklyn Curtiss-Wedge
Edited by Eben Douglas Pierce, M.D.
H. C. Cooper, Jr., & Co.
Chicago and Winona 1917)
At the age of 21 he entered the office of the Galesville Journal, then conducted by George Luce, and spent two years learning the printers' trade. When Mr. Luce sold to B. E. Clark in 1876 Mr. Beach established the Galesville Independent, under the auspices of the Galesville Printing Association. In 1877 he and E. H. Lowe established the North La Crosse Star. Selling this a short time later he returned to his father's farm.
Frederick E. Beach, a brother, established the Whitehall Times in January, 1880, and in December, of the same year, Joseph B. Beach bought a half interest, buying the other half and assuming full ownership and control five years later. He conducted this paper until March 20, 1915, when, owing to failing health, he leased the plant to his brothers, Frederick E. and Zachary T., and retired. He died May 3, 1916.
Entering political life as a young man, he took a deep interest in public affairs. For 14 years he was chairman of the Republican County Committee. He also served on numerous other committees and delegations, and was a member of many political conventions. In 1897 he did his district good service as a member of the assembly. A Republican of the old type for many years, he later espoused the cause of the progressive wing of that party, and labored zealously in its ranks.
His great joy was in his newspaper work. At the time of his death it was written of him:
“His was a busy life. Possibly he thus overtaxed himself, for it was his delight to be constantly accomplishing some worthy object. Where others found enjoyment in society and travel, work at his desk, or at the case, afforded him all the pleasure his nature seemed to crave. When the day's labor was over he found recreation, in the summer months, in his well-tilled garden, in which he took great pride; during the winter months he found life's greatest joy with his family, in his comfortable home.
“He was pre-eminently a home man, a devoted husband, a sympathetic and loving father, and the training of his children was one of the vital things in his life. Mr. Beach was married Sept. 5, 1889, to Hattie M. Olds, born in Pigeon Township, March 27, 1869, daughter of George H. and Nancy J. (Oliver) Olds, the pioneers. This union has been blessed with four children: Kathryn Florence, Joseph Barnes, Jr. (first), Joseph Barnes, Jr., and George Harrison.
“K. Florence was born Nov. 9, 1893, and is now a high school English teacher. She graduated from the Whitehall high school in 1911 and received the degree of B. A. from Lawrence College at Appleton, Wis., in 1915. While at that institution her scholarship won for her the honor of membership in the Phi Beta Kappa.
“Joseph Barnes, Jr. (first), was born May 3, 1895, and died April 29, 1896. Joseph Barnes, Jr., was born Nov. 10, 1897, was graduated from the Whitehall high school in 1915 and is now a student at the University of Wisconsin. George Harrison was born July 27, 1901, and is a junior in the Whitehall high school.”
(from HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY WISCONSIN
Compiled by Franklyn Curtiss-Wedge
Edited by Eben Douglas Pierce, M.D.
H. C. Cooper, Jr., & Co.
Chicago and Winona 1917)