The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1872-05-02
The Late Gee. Hyer.

He served an apprenticeship OF three years
to the printing business under the late
Preston King, of New York and On the
completion of his term with Mr.. King, i'm
mediately started for the wilderness west,
and reached Wisconsin on the 4th of July
1896. His health being somewhat impair
ed from close Office confinement, he Joined
surveying party and labored with it for
time after his arrival within the terri
tory; but his love for the art of printing
soon drew him back to the types. This
noble art had no more devoted follower
than George Hyer. He loved his chosen
profession, and everything connected with
it, excepting brief intervals when he was
in feeble health, he has been practically
engaged in it, during his whole life.
"At an early day, he was found stick
ing type in Milwaukee. In April, l84l,
he became proprietor Of the Inquirer,
published in Madison, with which paper
he remained about one year. He was af-
forwards connected with several Offices for
brief periods. Our first knowledge of the
man was in lS47. In the fall Of that year
he established the Rock River Pilot at
Watertown; and notice of the first num-
| Der of that paper was the first editorial
ever written in Wisconsin by the writer of
( this sketch. He was not long with that
paper, but removed to Waukesha. In
! 1859 he became a proprietor of the Pa
/ triOt in this city. in connection with 5. D..
| Carpenter, Esq, with which he remained
till the spring of 1864. In October, 1865,
| in company with d. w. Fernandez, Mr..
! Hyer established the Democrat in this city !;
and on account of failing health, sold out
the office in 1868. A fter about year Mr..
liver became connected with the Oshkosh
Times, with which he remained till his
death. He probably has been engaged in
publishing papers not mentioned. We
have noted such as have occurred to us in
the few moments we could devote to this
sketch.
As an editor, Mr.. Hyer possessed very de-
ciled talent. His long practice and natural
tcct made him conyersant with Just what
was needed to make a paper a success. He
looked well after the local item; and his lead
ing editorials were written with great clear
ness, and were not oyerburdened with
words. His style as a writer was attrac-
tive. We have never heard but one faul
found with Mr.. II. as an editor. He wa
at times personal and bitter towards hi
opponents, and used terms that wer,
deemed too severe to be effective. Thi
was no doubt partially owing to the fac
of his early connection with the Press o
Wisconsin, when party warfare partool
more of personal character, than at tn
present day. lie then acquired the habit
of the time, and they remained with hin
to a degree that was not always agreeable
even to his party friends. But all in all
he was an excellent editor, and very popu
lar with the members of the craft
"Mr. Hyer has been considerably il
public life, and filed all positions wit
ability and fidelity. He represented tn
county of Jefferson in the first Constitu
ton Convention, in 1916. In 1851, h
was a member of the State Senate fror
e Waukesha county; and in 1868, he repre-
e scented the city of Madison in the Assem-,
e bly,. He was a clear headed, practical an
- effective legislator; looked well after tn
S interests of his constituents, and was poI
e ular with his fellow members.
t For many years, Mr.. Hyer has been i
t feeble health In 1864, soon after dispo,
e ing of his interest in the Patriot, he too
journey across the plains to the Pacific
e spending cons iderable time on the mour
5 tains, and returned by the ocean route, Yer
r much improved in health. For she pas
y ear he has been gradually failing, and fC
L several weeks past, has been confined t
; his house.
e "Socially, Mr.. Hyer was remarkabl
s pleasant and attractive. He possessed
retentive memory, and could relate inter
/ esting incidents of early life in the Yves
r with great fuency and clearness. In f;
q miliar conversation he had few superiors.