The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1906-05-12
JOSEPH A. WHEELock.

JOSEPH A. WHEELock.
In the death of Joseph \. Wheelnck
the newspaper readers of the North
west have suffered loss that cannot
be repaired. He was one OF the really
great editorial writer's of the country
he deserves. to be classed With such
men as Greeley, Dana and Waterson
Few people will realize the greatness
of the work that he has performed for
the State of Minnesota. He came to
the state III 1850. A few years after
wards he founded the Pioneer Press
and has been connected with it
ever since. He was a tireless worker
and had a command OF the English
language such as is possessed by but
few men. 1t was he who made the
Pioneer Press one of the great
newspapers OF tne country. and it has
been his work and influence that has
maintained that papers position as
the leading paper in the Northwest for
ove; a half century.
Joseph A.. Wheelock was not always
right upon. every subject nut no one
can rightfully accuse hir, of ever
changing his opinion for the sake Of
material gain. He has made and un-
made many public men. Years ago
when he was at the height Of his
mental power, his attitude and that
was always the attitude of his paper,
was feared and respected by politic-
ians. He was not always popular fo.'
hcsitatcd to attack the most powerful
leaders in the Republican party when
he thought them in the wrong, He be-
longed to the old school Of editorial
writer's who worked to maintain the
dignity Of the editorial page. He always
realized that he owed Il duty to read
ing public that consented to read h,a
opinions. We refer more particularly to
his more active days when he was in
full charge and control OF the Pioneer
Press. Financial reverses in recent
years placed him in &; position wher"
he had not the power to assert HIM
self as he did in former years.
His has been Il remarkable life work.
1t is hard to appreciate tie influence
that the daily work of fifty years of
such Il powerful writer as Joseph 4.
Wheclock has eXertcd upon the people
=,
| history; he has been IL builder in the
true sense. He has done for the So
cial. political and intellectual upbuild-
ing Of the, state what has been given
to no other one person to accomplish
Although he has secured for himself
ana his family comparatively little of
dOLe more for the material upbuildins
of the great Northwest than most any
| other man.
Joseph A. Wheelock was little known
by the people in general. Although
active in every great movement he
| never pushed himself forward but was
content to remain in the background
! while others received the public notice
and attention. He was by nature of a
retiring disposition excep: when en-
gagged in n fight. Then he WAS always
aggressive. In Il contest he never
ASKED nor gave quarter. In the early
days Of the state he and the late Ig-
natius Donnelly often met in mental
combat. 1t can probably be said in all
truth that it was he VINO prevented
Igla,ius Donnelly from bee oming SOW
ernor Of the state. Yet both Donnelly
and Wheelock lived to see the day
when each was willing to acknowledge
the greatness of intellect and the force
of character of the other. Joseph A.
| Wheelock deserved to be ranked among
the great editors Of the United States.
He did not belong to- Mime sot;, alone.
His influence reached into every quar-
ter of the Northwest and into the halls
Of Congress. He was a really great
man and did a great work