History of Rock County HeraldThe following was printed in the Rose History in 1911:"The founder of the Herald sold in February, 1875, to A.C. Croft, and that gentleman sold a half interest, on June 3, 1876, to his former foreman, A.L. Stoughton. The paper was published under the firm name of Croft & Stoughton until September 13, 1878, when the junior member of the firm became sole proprietor. Mr. Stoughton presided over the destinies of the Herald alone until the spring of 1879, when Herbert J. Miller, who was destined to be the publisher of the paper for more than 30 years and to play an important part in the affairs of the community, was admitted as a partner. On May 2, 1879, the Herald printed this modest announcement of the transfer: ‘In accordance with a long cherished plan, we take pleasure in introducing to our readers as associate editor and proprietor, Mr. H.J. Miller, formerly of Stoughton, Wis., recently of the Reinbeck (Iowa) Herald, and a gentleman whose acquirements and experience will redound to the interest of our patrons.’The publishing firm now became Stoughton & Miller, but almost immediately the management devolved upon the junior member, Mr. Stoughton leaving in the fall of 1879 to attend the University of Wisconsin. Under the direction of Mr. Miller the Herald began to improve and continued to do so until it developed into one of the best and most liberally quoted country journals of the state. Mr. Miller wielded a trenchant pen and he made the Herald a powerful influence in the affairs of the city, county and state. In January 1882, J.W. Hardwick who had been engaged in teaching school at Drake station, bought Mr. Miller’s interest in the Herald, the latter taking a position on the editorial staff of the Minneapolis Evening Journal at that time. Early in June of the same year Mr. Miller was obliged to foreclose a mortgage on Mr. Hardwick’s interest in the Herald, and he again became one of the publishers. A few months later, on Sept. 1, 1882, Mr. Stoughton sold his interest to Mr. Miller, who then became the sole owner and publisher. Herbert J. Miller continued to publish the Herald until his death, May 8, 1909. From July 8, 1884, to Nov. 26, 1889, it was published semi-weekly, and for a few months during the Spanish-American War in 1898 the Daily Herald was issued. Owing to ill health, in May, 1907, Mr. Miller announced his withdrawal from active management of the paper and installed A.O. Moreaux as manager and editor. Since Mr. Miller’s death the Rock County Herald has been published by his estate, Mr. Moreaux continuing in charge. Under the gentleman’s control the Herald has maintained its former high standing and is one of the best and most liberally quoted country journals in the state. The pioneer journal has always been republican in politics. Its size has varied from a five-column paper, with only two pages printed in the home office, to a 12-page, six-column paper, all printed at home, which is the present form."Donations to the Rock County Historical Endowment Fund can be sent to the Rock County Historical Society, P.O. Box 741, Luverne, MN 56156.Mann welcomes correspondence sent to mannmade@iw.net.
