Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1909-01-29
A BUSY LIFE.
Andrew Jackson Aikens-His Long and
Active Career


Active Career.
Andrew Jackson Aikens was born at
Barnard, VT, October 81, 1928. His
paternal ancestors were Scotch, from
Montrose, who settled in Massachusetts
in 1860, and on his mothers side he was
descended from John Rowland, the last
survivor Of those who came over in the
Mayfiower. He left the high school at
the age Of Is years, and served an APP
to the position Of editor. He aft.
erwards edited a weekly paper at
Bennington, VT, and later a week.
~ at North Adams, Mass. From
North Adams he went to Boston
where he became a reporter in the Leg
islature, and served as proofreader in
the state printing Office. He took an &C.
tive interest in politics and his ability as
an organizer and campaign speaker was
recognized by his selection as a delegate
from Massachusetts to the Free Soil ma.
tional convention at Pittsburg, in 1862,
which nominated John P. Hale for Presi-
dent His adherence to the Republican
party had always been steadfast, and he
remained vigorous advocate Of it's prin-
ciples until his death.
Going from Boston to New York, he
was engaged upon the New York Even
ing Post in 1853 and was sent to the
western states as a special correspond
ent. He visited Milwaukee in the spring
of 1854, settled here in the early sum
mer, and soon after became connected
with The Evening Wisconsin, with the
late William e. Cramer. On the LIST Of
January, 1857. he assumed the business
management Of the newspaper and print
ing department. and later was admitted
to partnership in the firm, then conduct
ed under the name of William e. Ora
mer. In 1864 the firm name became
William 3. & John Il. Cramer, and in
A O. Mps
Aikens was a man of broad cul-
ture, thoroughly familiar through daily
reading with the books CT his rri-
vate library, which consisted of several
thousand volumes. Although advanced
in years he was in daily attendance at
his office up to within comparatively
few days of his death.
The method of printing newspapers on
one side at central office and on the
other side at the Office of publication
commonly called patent insides'D orig
mated with Mr.. Aikens in 1868. Mr..
method of printing auxiliary newspapers
consisted in the addition to the general
news of the paper of page for general
advertising; the compensation for this
advertising partly, and sometimes wholly,
paying for the cost of the white paper
to the publisher. The firm began the pub
lication of the patent insides" with adj
vertisements in 1864, being the pioneer
house in the business. There are now
more than 10000 papers printed upon
this plan in the United States-more than
one-half of the weekly newspa pers-at
saving of millions of dollars. Mr.. Aikens
founded the Newspaper Unions at Chi
cago, New York. Cincinnati, Nashville,
Atlanta and Memphis.
For three years previous to his assump-
ton of the business management Of The
Evening Wisconsin, Mr.. Aikens was city
and commercial editor of the paper. He
was secretary of the chamber of COM
merce and published for three years
compilation of the statistics of the trade
and commerce of Milwaukee. Mr.. AlkenS
was a charter member of the Milwaukee
club, which was organized in his bust
ness office. He was also one of the old
est members of the Chicago club, and a
member of the Milwaukee Press club.
He was connected with the Associated
Press as an officer and adviser from Its
organization.
Mr.. Aikens was twice married. In 1854
he was united to Amanda L. Barnes Of
Pittsfeld, Mass, by whom he had three
daughters-Alice Marian Bremen, Stella
Cramer Johnson, and Mary Lydia
Davies, wife of Maj. 3. V. Davies, Of
the British army, now stationed at Cape
Town, South Africa. Of these children,
the last is now the only one living. In
MAY, 1898, Mr.. Aikens was married to
Katherine Vine Crehore of Minneapolis,
by whom he had one son. Andrew Jack-
son. born March %, 1896.