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Compiled by John H. Wheeler Published in 1903 by B. F. Bowen Biography Page 124 |
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GEORGE S. STANLEY
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George S. Stanley, editor and proprietor of the Michigan State Democrat, was born in Chester, England, on the 30th of June, 1858. His parents, being devout members of the Established church, were desirous that he should enter the ministry. Accordingly his education began at a very early age with that object, in view. After receiving his preliminary instruction from private tutors, he was entered when twelve years old at the King's school and from that institution passed to the Chester Preparatory College, which he attended one year. While thus prosecuting his studies he concluded to give up the idea of taking holy orders and devote his life to journalism, a calling for which he had long manifested a decided preference. Mr. Stanley's first experience in his chosen field of endeavor was in the office of the Chester Chronicle, one of the oldest and most influential weeklies in England, where he soon gained a practical knowledge of the profession which he has since followed with such encouraging success. In 1872 he accompanied his family to Canada and during the ensuing ten years was employed upon a number of the leading newspapers of that country, the meanwhile continually enlarging his experience and developing decided abilities as a clear, elegant and forcible writer. At the expiration of the above period he came to Michigan and for some time thereafter worked on different Democratic papers, but the following year he went into business upon his own responsibility, by establishing in Lapeer county the Columbiaville New Era. Later, 1890, he established the Michigan Odd Fellow, a bi-monthly devoted to the interests of Odd Fellowship in this state, which grew rapidly in popular favor and reached a wide and remunerative patronage. After running the two papers jointly for about one year, lie disposed of them and purchased of M. T. Woodruff the Michigan State Democrat at Cadillac, which he still owns and personally conducts and which under his able management has become one of the leading party organs of the state. Mr. Stanley is a Democrat of the most orthodox stamp and
since his advent into the field of Michigan journalism he has rendered valiant
service for his party in its many hard-fought and seemingly hopeless contests.
Wielding a trenchant pen, he has ably and fearlessly discussed the leading
questions and issues upon which people and parties are divided, proving a
formidable but courteous antagonist, and making his paper a power in state and
national politics, as well as in local affairs. He served four years as chairman
of the Democratic county committee and in that capacity effected a more complete
organization than had hitherto existed, besides doing valuable service in the
ranks as a personal worker. He has represented Wexford county in nearly all
state and district conventions of his party since coming to Cadillac. The
Michigan State Democrat is an ably edited and popular paper, with a large and
constantly increasing circulation and a liberal advertising patronage.
Mechanically it is a model of typographic art and through the medium of its
columns much interesting matter In addition to his merits as a writer, Mr. Stanley is also an orator of recognized ability, his services as such being in great demand on the hustings as well as on the popular platform. A sound, logical reasoner and a ready debator, he enters heart and soul into every political canvass, and in the two-fold capacity of writer and speaker, has perhaps done more to strengthen and solidify his party and promote its success than any other man in the northern part of the state. Personally he is a most genial, affable and companionable gentleman and his popularity is by no means confined to his political associates, as he is held in high esteem by all classes and conditions of people wherever known. He has a beautiful and attractive home in Cadillac, being a married man with an interesting family of five children, four sons and one daughter. |