Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-06-12
A Maine Editor in Michigan.

~ mdIne 6oltOf IN mICuJ9dUs
The death of William E. Quinby of
the Detroit Free Press, which was
briefly chronicled in our columns q
few days ago, removes one OF the
most notable of the many figures
which Maine had contributed to the
profession of journalism. For almost
half century Mr.. Quinby was as
ISOLATED with the Free Press, first as a
reporter and editor and for over 40
years as managing editor and one of
the owners, and he was honored as
one of the greatest newspaper MEN of
the West Mr.. Quinby was born in
Brewer in 1886, passed his boyhood in
Lisbon and went West when a young
man. He studied law in Detroit and
was admitted to the bar in 1859. In
that same year he became attached to
the Free Press as court reporter and
from 1860 he devoted all his time and
energies to journalism. The life of
Mr.. Quinby is in reality the history of
the Free Press, which has long been
Recognized as one of the leading
papers of the country and which has
become particularly famed throughout
the world as the medium of the best
American humor. AS indicating the
place which Mr. Quinby gained in his
profession and the esteem in which he
was held by his associates, we quote
the following splendid editorial tribute
from the Detroit Journal, published
in that paper on the morning after his
death under the caption, 1.-THE End of
Well-lived Life"
To have lived half century of a
productive life in a community is
distinction which in itself must per-
petuate a mans name through the
generations in which he has lived. To
have left in those so years as deep an
Impress upon the moral, intellectual,
political, economic and social develop
ment OF the community as the late
william f. Quinby has left is an
achievement that is the most fitting,
the most worthy and the most endur-
ing of monuments.
1t would have mattered little what
profession Mr.. Quinby might have
chosen half century ago. In it he
would have succeeded. In it he would
have cxcrted his influence with all in
dividuals and institutions with which
he came in contact. However. the
influence he welded in his 40 years as
newspaper editor and publisher was
doubtless more potent and lasting
than he could have exerted in any
other profession or capacity. He
brought to his profession culture. un-
usual literary taste and gifts and high
ideals for all channels of civic pro-
gross. The rigorous code of morals
and ethics which marked his private
life he introduced into his profession
and the character of his newspaper
and won deserved public appreciation.
Ouinby's most effective and brilliant
work was done between the years of
1890 and 1893. AS minister plenipoten-
tiary to the Netherlands he served
his country and his state with dis
His absence of four years,
however. from the field which he him
self in large measure had created, the
public sentiment and public interests
which he had guided, had created
obstacles between Mr. Quinby and
the old vigorous, productive life, OBJ
which in his declining years
he never surmOunted.
1t is. of course. source of pride
10 his fellow citizens to know that
in the fullness of his powers Mr.. |
Quinby through his newspaper. the
Free Press, gave the city of Detroit
an international reputation. In this
hour of his passing it is good to know
that his sagacity, his erudition his
sound Judgment. were recognized not
only in this country but abroad. How
ever. yet more satisfying is the rccol-
lection of the attributes of the man
that have endcared him to all these
through which he has
lived.
Detroit will always remember Will
liam Emory Quinby, not so much az
the publicst, but as the conscientious
and purctilious citizen. as man who. |
with ali the stress of his ambition
and energy, ever had time to be an
elegant gentleman, responsive to his
rivic duties. perfectly poised, gentle,
and of boundless charity
NJ all times for Whomsoever stood in
need of 1t.