McNUTT, Samuel

McNUTT, Samuel. (near Londonderry, Ireland, Nov. 21, 1825-- ). McNutt was raised on a small farm in Delaware. His contribution of some poems to the Temperance Star of Wilmington, Delaware attracted the attention of Dr. J. S. Bell who assisted the young man in obtaining an education.

McNutt moved to Iowa in 1854 and served as principal of the First Ward public School in Muscatine County, Iowa. In 1856 he bought a half interest in the Muscatine Inquirer and became its editor. He later served as the associate editor of the Dubuque Herald when it was managed by Joseph B. Dorr. (1) He remained in that position until 1860 when the paper was sold to Mahony and Company.

McNutt had been a Democrat and friend and supporter of Stephen A. Douglas until the southern states began to secede. He then came out strongly in support of the United States constitution and the administration of Abraham Lincoln. When it became apparent that the Herald was opposed to the administration, McNutt started the Daily Evening Herald in competition to the other paper. Because of heavy financial losses, the paper was discontinued within one year and McNutt became one of the editors of the Dubuque Times. In 1862 he left Dubuque for Muscatine.

In years to come, McNutt was a member of the Iowa legislature, a leader of the Grange, and United States Consul to Venezuela. In 1895 he was an officer in the Scotch-Irish Society of Iowa. (2)

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Source:

1. "Local News," Express and Herald, December 27, 1860 p. 3

2. "Scotch-Irish Meet," Dubuque Herald, March 17, 1895, p. 4