Nathan Hale, Sr.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nathan_Hale_(journalist)

Nathan Hale (1784 – 1863) was an American journalist and newspaper publisher who introduced regular editorial comment as a newspaper feature.

Born in Westhampton, Massachusetts, Hale graduated from Williams College in 1804 and was admitted to the bar in 1810. He began to co-edit The Weekly Messenger in 1813 and founded the Boston Daily Advertiser that same year, serving as editor and publisher until his death in 1863. Hale was one of the founders of the North American Review in 1815 and the Christian Examiner in 1823. He was active in promoting industrial improvement, especially the Boston and Albany Railroad and diverting the Lake Cochituate for potable water in the Back Bay, the Neck and the South Cove.

His alliance to the Federalist Party continued until its dissolution, after which Hale sided with the Whig Party and eventually the Republican Party. He opposed the Missouri Compromise and Kansas-Nebraska Bill. Hale served in the Massachusetts State Legislature.

He married Sarah Preston Everett. Their children included Sarah Everett Hale, Nathan Hale Jr., Lucretia Peabody Hale, Edward Everett Hale, Charles Hale, Alexander Hale, and Susan Hale. Nathan Sr. was also the nephew of executed spy Nathan Hale.