The most noted member of an American newspaper family, Samuel Bowles (1826-1878) earned his reputation of fierce independence at a time when newspapers existed largely by means of partisan political support.

Samuel Bowles was born in Springfield, Mass., on Feb. 9, 1826, seventeen months after his father had founded the Weekly Republican. His father came from New England stock dating back to 1640. His mother was a descendant of Miles Standish. Even tempered and possessed of a quick, incisive mind, young Sam grew up in an early rising, hard-working, religious household.

Sam wanted to go to college, but at the age of 17 his father made him an office boy at the Republican. The elder Bowles wanted his son to be a printer, but Sam had neither the skill nor the inclination for it. He did, however, have the skill of persuasion. He talked his father into establishing the Daily Republican (March...