Ellis Baker Usher

Ellis Baker Usher (June 21, 1852 – April 21, 1931) was an American journalist, newspaper publisher, and Democratic politician. He served as chairman of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin from 1887 to 1890, and was publisher of the La Crosse Chronicle for 20 years.

Ellis B. Usher
Chair of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin
In office
March 29, 1887 – January 16, 1890
Preceded byWilliam A. Walker
Succeeded byEdward C. Wall
Personal details
Born(1852-06-21)June 21, 1852
Buxton, Maine, U.S.
DiedApril 21, 1931(1931-04-21) (aged 78)
La Crosse, Wisconsin, U.S.
Resting placeOak Grove Cemetery, La Crosse, Wisconsin
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse
Anna Meyers Bliss
​
​
(m. 1888⁠–⁠1931)​
Children
  • Dorothy Bliss (Wilson)
  • (b. 1892; died 1987)
RelativesLeila Usher (sister)

Biography

Usher was born in Buxton, Maine, in 1852. As a child, his parents moved the family to La Crosse, Wisconsin, where his father had been hired to work as an agent of Cadwallader C. Washburn in charge of lumber operations on the Black River. Ellis Usher attended local schools in La Crosse, then attended Lombard College in Galesburg, Illinois, for one year.[1]

At age 16, he was hired as a clerical aide to Judge S. S. Burton, who was receiver of the U.S. Land Office and deputy collector of internal revenue. After two years, he became a clerical aide in the real estate business of N. D. Taylor, and shortly became his partner in the business and also assisted in the publishing of a monthly real estate paper.[2]

In 1873, he went to work as a reporter for the La Crosse Republican and Leader, and two years later purchased half ownership of the La Crosse Daily Liberal Democrat newspaper, which he later renamed the La Crosse Morning Chronicle.[3] He was the choice of the Democratic caucus for chief clerk of the Wisconsin State Senate in 1877, but was not elected.[4] In 1879, he acquired full ownership of the paper.[1]

In 1887, Usher was elected chairman of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin, and served for three years. He resigned in 1890 after the death of his father forced him to allocate more time to his private business affairs.[2] He was known for strident speeches and editorials opposing William Jennings Bryan and his platform.[5]

Usher sold the Chronicle in 1901 and moved to Washington, D.C., to work as a special correspondent for Milwaukee newspapers. At the time of his death, he was described as an intimate friend of Theodore Roosevelt.[5] In his later years, he returned to Wisconsin and resided in Milwaukee and ran an advertising business there.[5]

In addition to his journalism, Usher studied history and was a member of the Wisconsin Historical Society. He published an eight-volume history of Wisconsin in 1914.[1] In 1920, he and his sister, Leila Usher, donated his collection of historical documents and references to the La Crosse Normal School Library.[6]

Usher died in Milwaukee on April 21, 1931.[5]

Published works
  • Usher, Ellis B. (1914). Wisconsin, its Story and Biography, 1848-1913. Vol. I. The Lewis Publishing Company.
  • Usher, Ellis B. (1914). Wisconsin, its Story and Biography, 1848-1913. Vol. II. The Lewis Publishing Company.
  • Usher, Ellis B. (1914). Wisconsin, its Story and Biography, 1848-1913. Vol. III. The Lewis Publishing Company.
  • Usher, Ellis B. (1914). Wisconsin, its Story and Biography, 1848-1913. Vol. IV. The Lewis Publishing Company.
  • Usher, Ellis B. (1914). Wisconsin, its Story and Biography, 1848-1913. Vol. V. The Lewis Publishing Company.
  • Usher, Ellis B. (1914). Wisconsin, its Story and Biography, 1848-1913. Vol. VI. The Lewis Publishing Company.
  • Usher, Ellis B. (1914). Wisconsin, its Story and Biography, 1848-1913. Vol. VII. The Lewis Publishing Company.
  • Usher, Ellis B. (1914). Wisconsin, its Story and Biography, 1848-1913. Vol. VIII. The Lewis Publishing Company.

References
  1. "Usher, Ellis Baker 1852 - 1931". Wisconsin Historical Society. Retrieved October 17, 2021.
  2. Biographical History of La Crosse, Trempealeau and Buffalo counties, Wisconsin. Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Company. 1892. p. 411. Retrieved October 17, 2021.
  3. "La Crosse County". Iowa County Democrat. April 9, 1875. p. 1. Retrieved October 17, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. "Legislative Doings". Grant County Herald. January 18, 1877. p. 2. Retrieved October 17, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. "Usher, Pioneer Editor, is Dead". The Capital Times. April 22, 1931. p. 1. Retrieved October 17, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. "Ellis Usher and Sister Present Handsome Gift to the Normal Library". La Crosse Tribune. December 5, 1920. p. 9. Retrieved October 17, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
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