Barton Gardiner Stillman, Jr. was co-owner - along with Henry L. Spooner - of the Brookfield Courier in 1899
Margaretta Taylor Stillman ran the newspaper from the death of Barton Gardiner Stillman, Jr. until 1918 when Lynn Worden became the owner

THE LEADING CITIZENS OF MADISON COUNTY

B. G. STILLMAN, JR., was born in De Ruyter, N.Y., February 6, 1856. His grandfather, Phineas Stillman, and his grandmother, who was a Miss Gardner before marriage, lived and died at Potter’s Hill, in Rhode Island. The father, B. G. Stillman, Sr., left home at an early age, and came to the State of New York. He learned the trade of harness-making, and, after working six or eight years for others, settle in De Ruyter, where he took up the business for himself, carrying it on for several years, then sold out, and started a nursery, which he conducted in conjunction with candle-making in the winter. He was quite successful in his candle enterprise until the introduction of kerosene, when he gave it up, and once more took up the business of harness-making, continuing in this until 1891, when he sold out to his son, and is now living retired in the town of De Ruyter. His wife was Miss Sophronia H., daughter of Matthew and Wealthy Wells, of De Ruyter. They reared six children: Welcome E.; S. Marie; our subject; Phineas M.; George A.; and Celia E. They are all married: Celia to W. H. Cossum, a missionary, located in China; S. Marie to Rev. Thomas R. Williams, D.D., Professor of Theology in Alfred University; Phineas M. to Miss Edna Maine, of De Ruyter, N.Y.; George to Miss Cora Stillman, of Nile, N.Y.; Welcome to Miss Mary A. Crumb, of Brookfield.

Our subject remained at home until his eighteenth year, having been educated at the De Ruyter Institute. After finishing school, he went to Brookfield, and began working on a farm by the month, continuing this one season, and at its close obtained a situation in the store of A. J. Stillman in the same town. Here he remained for one year, then went to Richfield Springs, N.Y., going into the harness business there with his brother. About this time he became interested in newspaper work, and went into the office of the Brookfield Courier to learn the art of printing. Here he worked, as an apprentice, journeyman, and foreman, for seven years, in what was then the firm of H. L. Spooner & Son, who controlled the paper. Mr. Stillman, in connection with W. E. Philipps, bought out the entire plan; and the original firm moved out, and went to Canastota, N.Y. The new firm continued to carry on business for two years, and then the Messrs. Spooner bought out the interest of Mr. Philipps, and formed a partnership with Mr. Stillman, Mr. F. M. Spooner assuming the editorial portion of the work, and Mr. Stillman taking the management of the concern.

A short sketch of this well-known and excellent journal will not be out of place here. The plant was originally founded by Frank M. Spooner, and has a peculiar history attached to it. In 1874 Mr. Spooner, being then a young man, was presented with a calf by some good friend, which he sold, and invested the money in a printing outfit. It was a very small beginning, and he modestly called it The Young America; but a rival contemporary dubbed it The Brookfield Astonisher. At the end of the first year it was changed to The Brookfield Courier, and was published by this young man and a Mr. Myngor for one year, from the very first being a most successful enterprise; and to-day it is considered one of the best paying influential papers in the State.

At the age of twenty-five Mr. Stillman married Miss Nettie T. Babcock, daughter of Oliver P. and Susanna Babcock. They attend the Seventh-day Baptist church. Mr. Stillman holds a position of considerable influence in the Republican party, being a faithful follower of its principles. He belongs to a family which rank among the pioneer settlers of the county, and is therefore deeply interested in the advancement and progress of his town, lending the columns of his ably edited paper to everything which will conduce to its best interests. Dealing as he does with the various issues of the day in a masterly and vigorous manner, he serves the highest purpose of journalism, which is to educate and elevate the people.

©1999-2004 Madison County, NY and Ingalls Family. All rights reserved.

"The Sabbath Recorder", Vol 71, No 24 p 767, Dec. 11, 1911.
Barton G. Stillman, son of Barton G. and Sophia Wells Stillman, was born in DeRuyter, N. Y., Feb 6, 1856, and died in Brookfield, N. Y., November 14, 1911.
He made a determined but unequal fight for about two years against the disease of pernicious anemia. His hopeful and determined spirit no doubt materially prolonged his life.
His education was secured in the schools at DeRuyter. At the age of sixteen he came to Brookfield, where he has since resided. In 1877 he entered the office of the Brookfield Courier, acquiring a half interest in the paper in 1884. This interest he retained until his death. "He was a good printer, a forceful and versatile writer and a business manager of exceptional ability. Pronounced and aggressive in his advocacy of right and justice, he had little patience with those things which were unworthy of endorsement." He maintained high ideals and helped to make the Courier a power for good in the community. He held many positions of trust with honor and efficiency. For many years he was treasurer of the Brookfield Madison County Agricultural Society, and he held the position of postmaster at Brookfield since 1908. Though not a member of the church he was a Sabbath-keeper, an attendant and supporter of the church. He possessed deep moral and religious convictions and exemplified in his daily walk many fruits of the Spirit.
In 1881 he was married to Miss Annette Babcock, who passed away in 1903. In 1905 he was married to Miss Margaretta A. Taylor. She and a little daughter, Katherine, are left to mourn the loss of a loving husband and father. He is also survived by two brothers, - George A. of Alfred, N. Y., and Phineas M. of Syracuse, N. Y., and two sisters, - Mrs. Marie S. Williams and Mrs. W. H. Cossum of Norwood, Ohio.
Funeral services were held at his late home in Brookfield, conducted by Rev. Walter L. Greene, a former pastor. Interment in Brookfield Rural Cemetery.
W. L. G.
Provided by Jon Saunders 2004

Catherine Sophronia Stillman
Born: 22 Nov 1906
Place: Brookfield, NY
Died: 24 Sep 1985
Place: Brookfield, NY
Married: John Alvin Pierce
Born: 11 Dec 1907
Place: Spokane, WA
Lived: 1988
Place: Weare, NH
Date Married: 4 Feb 1939