Charles Colby Whitney was born on March 20, 1846, in Salmon Falls, New Hampshire. Before the outbreak of the Civil War, Whitney worked in the newspaper office of the Lawrence American in Massachusetts, engaged in the printing business. He was made foreman of the mechanical department when he was only 17 years old.

At 18 years old, Whitney enlisted for three months as a private in Company I, 6th Massachusetts Regiment, and when his term expired he joined Company D, 1st Battalion, 26th New York Calvary, in which he remained until the conclusion of the war.

After the Civil War ended, he returned to the Lawrence American. Having served in the mechanical department for several years, he was promoted to the editorial department, beginning as a reporter. He was soon pushed up to be city editor, and finally became one of the proprietors. He also served for many years as special correspondent of the Boston Herald. He was attached to the Lawrence American for 21 years, the last 10 of which he was in the editorial department.

He moved to Lyon County in 1880, and he bought the newspaper company, the Lyon County News. In 1885 he purchased the “Marshall Messenger,” and combined it with the “News,” making it the “News-Messenger.”

Whitney was active with the D.F. Markham Post No.7, Marshall Grand Army of the Republic along with being a Mason, Odd Fellow, Knight of Pythias, an Elk, and a member of the Royal Arcanum.

Whitney became an active member of the Minnesota State Editors and Publishers Association and in 1895 he was elected its president. In November 1895, he was tendered and accepted the office of superintendent of state printing, his selection being made by the board of printing commissioners composed of the secretary of state, state treasurer and state auditor. He held the job for 10 years.

In 1866, he was married to Miss Mattie M. Hogle, at Lawrence, Massachusetts. She died in 1877. They had one son, Frank O. Whitney. In 1879, he married Nellie A. Johnson. They had four children: Joseph W., Minne Sota (Mrs. Fred A. Hills), Dick, and Jack Whitney died on June 13, 1912, and he is buried in the Marshall Cemetery.

The photograph featured this week from the Lyon County Museum’s collection shows the cover of a publication printed by Charles C. Whitney in 1891. “The News-Messenger Annual for 1891, Chs. C. Whitney, Pub’r, Marshall, Minn.”

The Lyon County Historical Society (LCHS) is a nonprofit, member-supported organization. LCHS operates the Lyon County Museum at 301 West Lyon Street in Marshall.

The Lyon County Museum is open year-round to visitors. To contact us, visit our website: www.lyoncomuseum.org, call: 507-537-6580, email: director@lyoncomuseum.org, or on our Facebook page.