Page:The Biographical Dictionary of America, vol. 01.djvu/126

This page has been validated.

ANTHONYANTHONY

ANTHONY, Edmund, publisher, was born in Somerset, Mass., Aug. 2, 1808. In 1824 he entered the office of the Columbian Reporter at Taunton, Mass., where he learned the trade of printing, continuing in that office until 1831, when he commenced the publication of the Independent Gazette, which remained under his charge, with a change of name, until 1850, when he removed to New Bedford, Mass. He held the office of town clerk of Taunton from 1835 to 1845, and that of town treasurer from 1838 to 1844, and was also treasurer of Bristol county for several years. In 1850 he established in New Bedford The Daily Evening Standard and the Republican (weekly) Standard. These publications were continued by Mr. Anthony's immediate descendants, under the firm name of E. Anthony & Sons. In 1864 Mr. Anthony commenced to publish the Springfield Union, a leading newspaper in western Massachusetts, and on returning to New Bedford became deputy collector of internal revenue, and later postmaster of the city. He died Jan. 24, 1876.

ANTHONY, George T., governor of Kansas, was born in Matfield, N.Y., June 19, 1824. He was brought up on a farm, learned the tinsmith's trade and during the civil war commanded the 17th New York independent battery, attached to the army of the Potomac. In 1865 he established a Republican newspaper in Leavenworth, Kan., and became prominent in state politics, holding office as president of the Kansas state board of agriculture and collector of internal revenue. In 1870 he was elected governor of Kansas, serving 1877-'78, and was candidate for renomination. He was state superintendent of insurance, 1895-'96. He died in Topeka, Kan., Aug. 5, 1896.

ANTHONY, Henry Bowen, statesman, was born in Coventry, R.I., April 1, 1815, son of William Anthony, who managed the third cotton manufactory built in Rhode Island. His maternal grandfather, James Greene, was a member of the society of Friends and a relative of Nathaniel and Ray Greene. His first American ancestor was John Anthony, of Hampstead. Eng., who came to Boston in 1634 on the Hercules, and located in Rhode Island about 1640. The family were Quakers. Henry Bowen received a liberal education at a private school in Providence, entered Brown university in 1829 and was graduated in 1833, when he joined his brother in the manufacture of cotton in Providence, spending much of his time at Savannah, Ga., where he was a casual contributor to newspapers and magazines. In 1838 he assumed editorial charge of the Providence Journal; his success as an editor being instant and marked, and in 1840 he acquired an interest in the publication. His course in 1841-'42, during the discussions which arose in the struggle to change the government of the state, for the avowed purpose of securing an enlarged suffrage, and which brought the contestants, known as the "Dorites" and "Algerines," to the verge of civil war, was marked by courtesy, sound common sense and practicability; as champion of "Law and Order" he helped to educate public opinion, and was largely responsible for the triumph of his party. He was a genuine son of Rhode Island, and held to its traditions; thinking no change in its landmarks desirable, he wished to preserve the institutions which its history had made memorable. He desired no extension of suffrage, and no change of commercial policy. In 1837 he was married to Sarah Aborn, daughter of Christopher Rhodes of Rhode Island. In 1849 he was elected as a Whig to the governorship of the state and held the office for two years, declining a third term. On the death of his wife in 1854 he travelled in Europe, and upon his return took up his editorial work. His influence as a journalist extended beyond the borders of his own state, and his faithful labors for many years built up the Providence Journal. In 1859 the general assembly elected him United States senator, and he was re-elected five consecutive terms. He was a firm supporter of President Lincoln. He was chairman of the committee on public printing for twenty-two years, during which time the contract system was abolished and the national printing office established. He suggested many reforms and restrictive acts not carried out, and endeavored to have the public printing restricted to the legitimate demands of the government. From 1863 he served on the committee of naval affairs and was for many years its senior member. In March, 1869, he was elected president pro tempore of the senate, and re-elected in March,