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Final Tribute, Great Editor

The Appleton Press - Appleton, Swift County, Minnesota
Volume LXXIV - Thursday, January 14, 1954 - No. 42

Forty years ago today, Jan 14, 1914, M. J. McGowan came to Appleton from Benson to assume the duties of publishing the Appleton Press. He fell short by just 10 days of reaching this anniversary, having passed on to his eternal reward on Jan. 4, at his home in this community which he served so long and well.

It is fitting that this anniversary should be noted. But in this instance it becomes more than just an ordinary anniversary. It becomes a final tribute from the many friends in all walks of life he acquired during a long period of civic service.

For this week the editorial section, which he built into one of the most outstanding in the entire state, will be given over to the tributes of his editorial brethren, the friends from political and religious life and relatives who were unable to attend his last rites:

EDITORIAL TRIBUTES

editorial note: these tributes are lifted from the printed letters of support from the Jan 14, 1954 edition of the Appleton Press, cited above. where possible, the heading from the other paper is produced, otherwise the writer (editor/publisher) is cited as the section heading. other un-cited text may be attributed to Martin Jr - mjm iii, Jan 2nd, 2016, Houston TX

• J. C. Morrison, Morris Tribune

  Good old Martin McGowan is gone.

  Martin J McGowan Sr was for a half century variously identified with the Appleton Press as publisher, editor and columnist, and in those various capacities with other McGowan publications.

  Through the years, Martin has promoted Appleton, Swift county, West Central Minnesota, and the Democratic Party with extreme devotion and zeal.

  He was an excellent printer and newspaperman, active in the Minnesota Editorial Association and served as its president. For several years he promoted the idea of a field manager for the Editorial Association and finally saw this great progressive plan adopted

  Martin possessed a rare sense of humor, was a staunch friend and a kindly neighbor. It has been our privilege to know him as such for many years.

  Our sympathy to the bereaved family. Peace be with you, Martin.

  
  
• Arthur Suel, New Prague Times

  One of Minnesota's ablest editorial writers, Martin J McGowan Sr., publisher for 40 years of the Appleton Press, died Monday from a heart condition at the age of 66 years. McGowan was gifted with keen wit, sparkling humor and an inimitable style of expression. He was independent in his thinking and fearless in his writing.

  
  
• Martin J. McGowan

  Words written here about Martin McGowan become personal recollections and appreciation, instead of an editorial between impersonal newspapers.

  Martin McGowan and the writer of this piece enjoyed each other through many good years. Through some rough years, too.

  The writer has said before, and can repeat now, that Martin McGowan was one of the rugged individualists of Minnesota … with outstanding ability as an editor, one of the best writers in country journalism; fortunate enough to have positive convictions, and a strong personality; a scrapper on occasion, and it was possible to get mad at him; a staunch friend, and very good company.

  Starting in boyhood years as the oldest brother he shouldered the opportunity of helping his widowed mother successfully raise a large family.

  His character and ability were recognized on a state-wide basis - by his fellow Democrats who made him secretary of their state committee; buy country editors who made him president of the Minnesota Editorial Association. As editor and publisher of the Appleton Press he built one of Minnesota's most successful community newspapers.

  
  
• John Casey, Jordan Independent

  Editor M. J. McGowan, 66, publisher of esteemed Appleton, Minn., 'Press' died Monday. Death is ascribed to heart ailment. A former president of Minnesota Editorial Association, he was not only an able newspaperman, but a find humanitarian. He helped his widowed mother keep her young family of six children together during their formative years to responsible posts in USA citizenship.

  
  
• Ben Gimmestad, Dawson Sentinel

  The Recording Angel this week marked 'finis' to the life of another outstanding Minnesota editor, Martin J. McGowan, of the Appleton Press. Mr. McGowan, a past president of the Minnesota Editorial Association, was of the old school of journalism, firm in his beliefs and unafraid to stand up for those beliefs in his editorial columns. As a newspaper man and as a citizen he was highly respected by members of his profession.

  Despite the fact a heart condition curtailed his activities in the newspaper during the past years, his Martinis column was continued up to the time of his death last Monday. This column sparkled with wit and keen comment and will be missed as an essential part of the editorial page of the Press.

  We first became acquainted with Martin McGowan in American Legion work, and after we entered the newspaper field we came to know him better and to respect and admire him as an outstanding newspaper man. At Various newspaper meetings throughout the year he was invariably present, taking part in discussions and adding his bit to the welfare of rural journalism.

  We were on opposite sides of the political fence, but that did not hinder our considering him as a friend. We are going to miss him in the newspaper fraternity, and our sincere condolences go to the bereaved family.

  
  
• Carl Carlson, Long Prairie Leader

  The Leader extends its sympathy to the Appleton Press on the death of its publisher, Martin J. McGowan Sr. Over the years, he was editor of the Appleton newspaper, his vigorous editorials made it one of the state's outstanding weeklies. In his death Appleton and the state newspaper profession as well, has suffered a great loss.

  
  
• Lem Kaercher, Ortonville Independent

  In the death on Monday of Martin McGowan, editor and publisher for many long years of The Appleton Press, the state lost one of its more forceful editorial writers - a man who pulled no punches, leaving the chips fall wherever they might.

  Although a staunch, tried and true Democrat from birth, Martin McGowan did not hesitate to point out party misgivings. His pen reflected a brilliant mind, filled, too, with natural-born wit and humor.

  In defending a friend, Martin McGowan never turned away. When he believe in a man or a cause, no amount of favors or patronage could sway him. He was an editor of the old school - all too few of whom we have today. His Appleton Press during his many years at the helm won state and national honors for excellency and editorial content. His loyalty to Appleton was unswerving.

  Forced to quit high school, because of his father's death, Martin McGowan, at an early age knew responsibility, as a member of a family of nine children, being the eldest. His journalistic ability was acquired by self-education, experience and hard work. His newspaper was a true reflection of his personality and capabilities Appleton benefited by his early decision to make that his home.

  To the writer, Martin McGowan not only was a real friend but and adviser, paying compliment to our serious, though feeble efforts, in publishing a weekly newspaper. He gave us much encouragement that shall always be remembered.

  
  
• Jim Putnam, Granite Falls Tribune

  The Tribune was shocked and saddened to learn of the death of Martin McGowan, Appleton Press publisher. It joins the other state newspapers in extending sympathy to his son, Martin Jr., and to the McGowan family.

  While the Tribune's junior editor never knew Mr. McGowan personally, he did have a deep respect for his work on The Appleton Press. The Press, with its famous Martinis column written by Mr. McGowan, is one of the exchange newspapers The Tribune looked forward to reading every weekend.

  The editors of the Tribune and The Appleton Press seldom agreed with each other editorially. However, The Tribune respected the steadfast convictions Mr. McGowan held for his Democratic Party.

  The McGowans have held a prominent spot in the Minnesota newspaper scene for a long, long time. In recent years death has been extremely cruel for them.

  The destiny of The Appleton Press is now in the hands of the son who worked for a number of years with Martin Sr. The Tribune feels confident that Martin Jr. will capably fill the position held by his father.

  
  
• Jim Kinney, Benson Monitor

  The death of Martin J. McGowan Sr. last Monday removes from the state journalistic fraternity won of its best-known and capable members.

  The Monitor, and the rest of the press in Swift county, perhaps feels his loss more deeply than other parts of the state, for it was in this county that Martin worked nearly all of his active life as a newspaperman, first as city editor of The Monitor; then as part owner of The Appleton Press; again as part owner of The Monitor; and finally as sole owner of The Press.

  Mr. McGowan build The Press into one of the finest newspapers in the state. While The Monitor at times disagreed sharply with The Press editorial policy, we still held Mr. McGowan in high respect and esteem, for he was a man of deep convictions and believed that any cause he believed in was worth fighting for. When a citizen of his caliber is removed, a replacement is difficult to find.

  While illness curtailed his active newspapering for the past few years, his keen and active mind wasn't dulled by the ailment, as anyone who read his special column Martinis will attest.

  His family, community and country are going to miss him, but at the same time, this area has been a better place in which to live simply because he lived here.

  
  

LETTERS OF TRIBUTE

• Just a note of sympathy, deeply felt for you at this time of loss. We Jaycees know the especially close tie that existed between you and your father and hold that relationship in real respect and regard.

  Martin was a community leader of the high type we would have been proud to name among our members. His death, after such a gallant fight, leaves an absence not only in your heart but in the hearts of us all.

  THE APPLETON JAYCEES, Appleton, Minn.

  
  

• Please accept my heartfelt sympathy in the loss of your father.

  I knew your father for many years, and I always admired him for his excellent newspaper ability, and his efforts in giving Appleton an outstanding newspaper - one in which the fraternity took great pride.

  Extend your condolences to your family. You, your family, community and newspaper friends have truly lost a wonderful citizen, and it is my hope that Providence will enable you to receive the utmost comfort at this time.

  CHARLES C. BURGES, Herald-Advance, Milbank, S.D.

  
  

• Sorry to hear about the death of your dad. He was a grand man and the state and nation lost a hard fighter for truth and right. We will miss his Martinis. They were classic. His editorials have been a great force in keeping the thinking of the state on an even keel. Extend my sympathy to the other members of your family.

  GRANT UTLEY, Cass Lake Times, Cass Lake, Minn.

  
  

• I was shocked this morning to read about your father's sudden death and will to extend my sympathy to your family.

  While I had met him only occasionally in recent years, I am mindful of his helpfulness to me in the depression days when I headed the National Reemployment Service and he served on the Swift Country reemployment committee. His many editorials in regard to that activity were outstanding. We had many long visits at his office and at various editorial meetings. I am sure he will be greatly missed in the community which he served so long and diligently,

  Incidentally, I was practically a neighbor at one time, having been born and reared a few miles from Benson in Langhei township, Pope county.

  DRENG BJORNARAA, St Paul, Minn.

  
  

• I sincerely regret that I was not able to come to Appleton for Martin's funeral, but it came at one of the few times that it seemed impossible and inadvisable for me to come. I appreciate a great deal your letter advising of his condition which arrived the afternoon of the day you called. We had all hoped that he was doing well but it was probably too much to expect that he could indefinitely buck his condition, I certainly admired him a great deal for the fight he made during those last years - that he had the answer to living the calm and peaceful life.

  It is difficult to express the deep love we had for Mart as we look back over the years. He was as close to a dad as his brothers ever had. He functioned in that capacity in our younger days, and I recognize how patient, tolerant and self-sacrificing he was for us during his life-time. He was always our balance wheel in business affairs as well as in our everyday life. I know that you will understand when I write that his going, though under the circumstances the best for him, leaves us heavy-hearted.

  JOSEPH C. McGOWAN, Tucson, Ariz.

  
  

• A letter from Jim today told of the death of your father and I wish to offer you my deepest sympathy.

  While Martin and I often disagreed politically, I always held him in the greatest respect, both as a man and as the publisher of a newspaper.

  I have watched with interest the Appleton Press progress, first under Martin's leadership and later under yours, and it has always been one of our favorite exchanges. My regret now is that I didn't have the good judgment to write this to your father while he was still living.

  Again let me convey my sympathy to both the widow and yourself in the loss of a find husband and father.

  JAY L. PUTNAM, Largo, Fla.

  
  

• Through the columns of the morning newspapers, I learned of your father's death.

  I am indeed sad to lose a friend and an able advocate of liberal policy. Even more distressing is the realization that his family is to suffer the pangs of grief and loneliness.

  These words are written because I have experienced such grief and loneliness. Five years ago, I lost my own father and I know the period of readjustment in a family circle.

  There are so few newspapers in Minnesota who support the DFL party in the great debate of issues. The loss of a leader like your father, is great indeed.

  With regards to you and the members of the McGowan family, I am

  BYRON G. ALLEN, Detroit Lakes, Minn.

  
  

• W. F. SCHILLING, Northfield, Minn.

• GEORGE A. ROSSMAN, Grand Rapids Herald Review, Grand Rapids, Minn.

• ORVILLE L. FREEMAN, Minneapolis, Minn.

Martinis

With the death of its author, the Martinis column, the shining light of this newspaper for many years, goes dim. For any other members of The Press staff or family to take over the column would be presumptuous. There was only one Martinis author and only one who could write the column as he did.

With his passing the column must come to an end, leaving a void that will be most difficult to fill not only on this page but in the hearts and minds of the many who read it through the years with interest and profit.

The Cub's Corner

THREE PERSONS EXERCISED the greatest influence upon my early and formative years. On Monday of last week the final member of that trio, my father, passed away, finally finding the peace he so richly deserved.

Nothing is so difficult as trying to say how I feel at this time. It is actually impossible to do justice to such a task. Yet I feel that I must set forth on this page my thoughts about him, not in boastfulness, but in tribute.

Naturally I am prejudiced, but I feel he was a truly great man. His writing talents were many, yet they were kept in relative obscurity by the circulation of a small town newspaper. He was destined for bigger things but through the consistence of his nature he stayed in this community, devoting a life-time of service to it.

Life was not easy for him. It treated him harshly in many ways.

First his father was taken from him when he was but 12 years old. A high school education was deprived him and as the eldest son of a family that then comprised nine children he and his older sister Gertrude, sought to become breadwinners for the family. Through their perseverance and the strong will of their mother it can be said they succeeded. Their younger brothers and sisters bestowed on them the affection ordinarily given to the heads of families - which they were.

This lack of a formal education never showed in his writing. He could write some of the most clear and concise remarks that I have ever read, always getting to the nub of the question. He could be sharp and biting or warm and human as the situation demanded, all with a command of words which would be a credit to a college speech teacher.

His first marriage was a tragic experience. Their first child died at birth, but later I came along and survived. Then after but four years of married life my mother, too, was taken from him by tuberculosis and I was left to live with it.

Compensating for these early setbacks was his second marriage. In later life this brought him the home life, the love and the family that were denied him earlier.

Between these times I was left largely in the care of his mother and sister, the other two of the trio I mentioned at the outset. Grandma McGowan died in December 1934, and Gertrude in July 1951.

These latter two took care of me and as a consequence, I suppose, I did see too much of my father and he had little opportunity to take very active charge of my upbringing. Consequently ours was not the palsy-walsy type of father-son relationship. But nevertheless it ripened into a mutual understanding of the abilities and accomplishments of each other. Reserved, perhaps, but it was always there.

We came to know and understand each other best during the years we worked side by side in the publication of this newspaper. It was at great sacrifice that he put me through college. World War II broke out and I was rejected for military service. At about the same time the help began to drift away from The Press. Thus he was faced with a problem in keeping this paper going.

While it was not what he or I intended he asked me if I would care to help out and learn the linotype. The was certainly the least I could do for what he had done for me. So I sat down and pecked away, learning the trade right here in our shop. I never knew then what a favor he was actually doing for me in having me learn a trade as well as this most important phase of newspaper work. It has come in handy many times since.

At any rate he and I, a girl in the office and a part time boy after school put out this paper during the war years. It meant many long hours of work for both of us. But I was young and could take it. He was no longer young and it ultimately affected him.

While he knew printing well, having started as a printer's "devil," it had been 30 years since he had really done hard work in the back shop. Returning to this eventually wore him down.

At the end of the war help became available again and none too soon, either. The doctors told him his lungs were bad - a condition called emphysema - and that he would have to quit work and confine his activities. This is what he had to do for the last five or six years as his heart weakened, too.

But he accepted his lot and learned to live with it. He had his hobby of gardening and a large yard to supervise. At the same time he kept up his column work and home, personal column, garden column and feature stories and occasional editorials if I was gone on a trip or ill. This kept his mind active, anyway, even if his body could not be. At the same time he checked the monthly balance sheets and kept a guiding had on the overall operations.

In those first years of his confinement I was busy enough learning the front end of the business, just keeping things going from day to day, to pay much attention about larger matters. But gradually I assumed more and more responsibility. Nevertheless, all major decisions were reached by consultation with him at his home.

This is what I miss most now. No longer do I have the secure feeling of knowing that when I get stuck at the office that I can turn to him for help and guidance. Now I must make those decisions myself.

Following my marriage and the arrival of our children he had added interests. He would never hold them while they were babies, but as they grew bigger he would have them sit on his lap and hear them prattle. Later as they went to school he loved to have them drop in, get told of their experiences and play Canasta with him. I take solace that he continues to live in each of them.

Two years ago he became deathly sick. I still don't understand how he survived that period of hospitalization, but he did and came home to spend two more years with us. He was living on borrowed time, perhaps, but it was not wasted time.

Certainly now I miss him and will more in the days and years to come. But it is selfish of me to cling to him for myself when I should be thinking of him. I was shocked to see him begin to use a cane in walking. That indicated his weakness. Any exertion taxed his feeble strength and even breathing became an effort. At the end he seemed to have lost the will to fight any more and who can blame him in that condition.

Now I should be thankful that he lived to see many thing that he enjoyed, including the building of a new church, in which he took such an interest. He made his peace with God and was ready to go. Therefore it is better that he go and find the peace he longed for and needed.

His deeds will live long as memorials to his ability and while I cannot speak to him across the grave I feel his presence around me and know that he is watching from a better place on high. I will to do as he would want me to do.

May his soul and all the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

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