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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 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.
Charles and his family moved to Lyon County in 1880 where he had family already, including his uncle and aunt, Charles H. and Mary Whitney, who were among the first white settlers in what would become Marshall. After arriving in Marshall, Charlies Colby Whitney 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 is Charles Colby Whitney taken around 1907.
The Lyon County Historical Society (LCHS) is a non-profit, member-supported organization. LCHS operates the Lyon County Museum at 301 W Lyon St 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.