Biographical Sketch of John L. Bittinger, St. Joseph, Buchanan County, MO

>From "History of Buchanan County, Missouri, Published 1881, St. Joseph
Steam Printing Company, Printers, Binders, Etc., St. Joseph, Missouri.
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John L. Bittinger, is a native of Pennsylvania, having been born on
November 28, 1833, in Franklin County.  In 1840, his parents removed
to Ashland County, Ohio.  His father dying when he was only thirteen
years of age, Mr. Bittinger went to work on a farm, and at the age 
of sixteen came west with his employer to Green County, Wisconsin,
where he remained until the spring of 1852, when, thirsting for know-
ledge, he made his way to Freeport, Illinois, and entered the office
of the Journal as an apprentice to learn the printing business.  Here
with the aptitude which distinguishes a true journalist, he commenced
to write for the paper, while becoming an adept in its mechanism, and
in a short time became one of its principal editorial contributors.
Three years later, having acquired his trade, he removed to St. Louis,
where he became connected with the Intelligencer.  During his residence
in St. Louis he was chosen a delegate from the Typographical Union to
the National Convention, held in Chicago in 1858, and in Boston in 1859.
In 1857, he became foreman of the St. Louis Democrat newspaper, holding
that responsible position for two years, when, in company with the late
Col. James Peckham and Lieutenant Governor Charles P. Johnson, he 
started the St. Louis Evening Bulletin, disposing of his interest in it
in the spring of 1860, in order to remove to St. Joseph, Missouri, 
where he has ever since resided.  Taking an active part in the national
political canvass of that year, especially as the correspondent of the
St. Louis Democrat, as a reward for his labors, on the recommendation
of General Francis P. Blair, Jr., at the incoming of President Lincoln's
administration, in 1861, he was appointed Postmaster of St. Joseph,
which position he held until May, 1865.  In 1862, Mr. Bittinger was
married to Annie M. Smith, of Freeport, Illinois.  In 1862, he was 
elected as a member of the Twenty-second General Assembly, his com-
petitor being the late Hon. Henry M. Vories, afterwards one of the
Judges of the Supreme Court.  Mr. Bittinger was chosen speaker pro tem.
of the House at that session, and was one of the most active partici-
pants in the great senatorial contest of that period, which finally
resulted in the choice of Hon. Jno. B. Henderson for the full term of
six years, and ex-Governor B. Gratz Brown for the term of four years,
he being the warm friend and supporter of both the successful aspirants.
In 1862, he was commissioned as Aid-de-camp to Governor W. P. Hall, then
Brigadier General in command of the Northwestern military district of
the state.  In the same year, he became associated with Hon. C. B.
Wilkinson, as editor and proprietor of the St. Joseph Daily Herald,
which he conducted as managing editor until 1878, when he disposed of
his interest to the present proprietors.  In 1864, he was unanimously
nominated for re-election to the Legislature, but declined.  Subse-
quently he was nominated for the State Senate, which honor he also de-
clined.  In 1866, he was selected by the then Secretary of War, Hon.
Edwin M. Stanton, as one of the three commissioners to appraise the 
value of slaves, the property of loyal owners, who had been enlisted
in the service of the United States.  In 1870, Mr. Bittinger was again
unanimously nominated for the Legislature; was elected by a large 
majority and during that session was chairman of the committees on
Internal Improvements and Insurance, and a member of the committees on
Congressioinal Apportionment, Printing, Retrenchment and Reform, and
a number of special committees.  Mr. Bittinger was re-elected in 1872,
and again in 1874, after a most spirited contest, in which he was the
only candidate of his party who was successful.  At the beginning of
the session, in January, 1875, Major Bittinger was the Republican
nominee for Speaker of the House, and received the united Republican
and Independent vote.  After Major Bittinger had disposed of his 
interest in the St. Joseph Herald, he, for two years, was engaged in
loaning money for Eastern capitalists, in Western Kansas.  In June,
1881, he was tendered the editorial chair of the Kansas City Daily
Journal, which he accepted early in July, and he is now filling that
responsible position.  He still retains his residence in St. Joseph,
however.  During his legislative career he obtained many important
special privleges and benefits for his city, which accounts, in a 
great measure, for his success before the people when a candidate.
To him, more than to all other influences, is due the location of the
Northwestern State Lunatic Asylum, at St. Joseph, and obtained the 
passage of the bill which secured to St. Joseph sessions of the 
Supreme Court.  He was one of the incorporators of the St. Joseph
Bridge Company, and Auditor of the Board during its construction, and
did much towards securing the construction of the magnificent structure
which now spans the Missouri River at that point.  Mr. Bittinger, while
in no sense a partisan, has always taken an active part in politics
as a member of the Republican party.  In 1862, he was a delegate and 
Secretary of the first Emancipation State Convention ever held in
Missouri, and has been chosen a delegate to every Republican State
Convention since the organization of the party.  In 1872, he was a
delegate to the National Republican Convention held in Philadelphia,
which nominated President Grant for a second term, and was also a
member of the Republican State Central Committee for many years.  Mr.
Bittinger is a genial companion, a ready and forcible speaker, 
thoroughly versed in parliamentary practice, and an influential 
legislator.  His friends in both parties are legion, attracted and
attached to him by a suavity of manner which never forsakes him,
and by a kindliness of disposition and generosity which has no other
limit than that of capacity.

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