Dailey, Charles; 1905 Bio, Pitkin County, Colorado http://files.usgwarchives.net/co/pitkin/bios/daileyc.txt --------------------------------------- Donated April 2001 Transcribed by Judy Crook from the book: Progressive Men of Western Colorado Published 1905, A.W. Bowen & Co., Chicago, Ill. --------------------------------------- Charles Dailey Even more than the stage is the press a mirror, showing forth "the very age and body of the time," recoding all doings and happenings among men, presenting each day a picture of the world and its multiform activity. But more than this--it is a watchman on the tower, taking note of wind and sky, and if need be, giving warning of approaching danger. It is a guide and a restraint, governing the trend of public opinion, and holding it away from wrong channels. It is a creator and a destroyer, providing stimulus and nourishment for what is good, and seeking to overbear all the insidious influences of evil--uncovering to the public gaze the true gods in morals, and taste and politics, and opposing the false with resolute and relentless energy. Holding this lofty ideal, the Aspen Daily Democrat strives in its modest way to perform its true function and meet the requirements of its high duty. It labors to be a pleasure and a help to the community in which it is circulated, with many shortcomings, doubtless, but with a large measure of success, as its present prosperity and influence attest. Charles Dailey, the popular and accomplished editor and owner of this journal, was prepared for his duties by a long apprenticeship in the newspaper office. He was born at Geneseo, Henry county, Illinois, on April 29, 1866, and is the son of Charles and Lydia F. Dailey, the former a native of New Jersey and the latter of Indiana. The father was a shoemaker and worked at his trade many years with success. He was a soldier in the Mexican and the Civil wars, serving in each with the valor of a true American citizen whose ordinary duty lies in the fields of peaceful production, and never takes up arms in military conflict unless the honor or the welfare of his country requires it, and then bears himself in the struggle as if all the interests of home and family and country were at stake. After their marriage the parents settled in Illinois, and there the father passed the remainder of his life, dying in December, 1880. He was an ardent Democrat in political faith, and constant and efficient in the service of his party. There were six children in the family, four of whom are living. William A., Mrs. George G. Farley, Charles and Mrs. John H. Reinhardt. On June 6, 1886, the mother married a second husband, Dr. Frank Fulton, of Monte Vista, Colorado, the leading physician of the San Luis valley and one of its most prominent and esteemed citizens. He was a Freemason of the Knight Templar degree, and at the time of his death, on April 17, 1903, was a member of the Populist party in political association. Charles Dailey was educated in the public schools of Denver, and at the age of twelve became a mail boy for Messrs. Chain & Hardy, stationers of that city. After four months' service as such he was made assistant shipping clerk, and at the end of his first year was appointed shipping clerk, so high was the order of his fidelity and capacity and his character. From 1881 to 1886 he was night sealer in the yards at Denver for the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad. In 1887 he moved to Monte Vista and apprenticed himself in the office of the Graphic newspaper to learn the printing trade. When his apprenticeship was completed he became foreman of the office, and this position he held until 1896. During the next four years he was editor and manager of the Daily Miner at Creede, Colorado. On July 29, 1900, he moved to Aspen and took the post of manager of the Aspen Daily Democrat and as such conducted the paper until January 1, 1903. He then purchased it, and he has owned and edited it ever since. When he bought it the journal had a feeble and languishing existence, an insufficient patronage, a load of debt, and a rather low place in public estimation. He has placed it firmly on its feet, greatly enlarged its circulation and support, considerably enlarged its popularity, raised its tone, and established it firmly as one of the admired and influential institutions in the community. This he has done not by feeding popular vanity or catering to personal whims or yielding to public clamor: but by meeting the requirements of the people generally, and showing a commendable independence of individual and class opinions, interests and ambitions. In consequence of this policy, the paper is as regularly expected now in the ordinary life of the territory in which it circulates as necessary food or raiment. Mr. Dailey inherited the martial spirit of his father, and was a member of the Colorado National Guard from 1887 to 1896. In this organization he displayed the same energy, zeal and comprehensiveness of view that have distinguished him in other lines of activity, and by his merit he rose from the ranks to the position of captain. In fraternal relations he is connected with the order of Elks, the Masonic order and the Knights of Pythias, and his political allegiance is firmly and loyally given to the Democratic party. On April 18, 1894, he was married to Miss Emeline B. Bennick, a native of Boston, Massachusetts. They have one child, Charles Dailey, Jr. It should be added that while endeavoring to publish a first-class newspaper, and make it a valuable party organ, Mr. Dailey has not omitted due attention to the needs of advertisers, and has one of the most completely equipped newspaper offices in his portion of the state. =================================================== Contributed for use by the USGenWeb Archive Project (http://www.usgenweb.org) and by the COGenWeb Archive Project USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access.