Roscoe H. Alcorn, owner and editor of the Rawlins Republican and widely known as a leading representative of journalistic interests in Wyoming, was born January 10, 1888, in Jewell, Kansas, a son of the late William J. Alcorn, who was a native of Kentucky and a representative of one of the old families of that state, of Scotch-Irish descent. The father followed mercantile pursuits and at the time of his death, which occurred December 24, 1912, was manager of the Cullen Commercial Company at Rawlins. He took up his abode in this city in 1901 and during the eleven years of his residence here won very favorable criticism for the policy which he pursued in business affairs and for his upright life in other connections. It was therefore a matter of deep regret when he passed away at the comparatively early age of forty-seven years. He married Pearl Ransford, a native of Kansas and a daughter of Benjamin Ransford, who was one of the pioneer farmers and successful business men of the Sunflower state. At the time of the Civil war he responded to the country's call for troops, enlisting in defense of the Union, serving with Company F of the Fourteenth Iowa Infantry throughout the entire period of hostilities. He participated in the battles of Shiloh and Fort Donelson and being taken prisoner, was sent to Libby prison, from which he later made his escape. At the battle of Shiloh he was slightly wounded. It was after the close of the war that he took up a homestead in Jewell county, Kansas, where he resided until 1894. He then removed to Pomona, California, where he still makes his home, and is now retired from active business, enjoying the fruits of a well spent life. He remained on his Kansas farm for twenty-three years and was thus closely connected with the agricultural development of that state. He holds membership in the Grand Army of the Republic and thus maintains pleasant relations with the Boys in Blue, with whom he marched over the battlefields of the south Mrs. Alcorn is residing in Rawlins and by her marriage became the mother of six children.
    Roscoe H. Alcorn, the first in order of birth, attended the public and high schools of Rawlins, and also became a student at Wesleyan University, of Salina, Kansas, where he continued until his senior year in 1910. Prior to entering college, however, he served a four years' apprenticeship to the printing trade in Rawlins and after leaving college became editor of the Rawlins Republican, in which position he has since continuously remained. He has been owner and editor of the paper since 1911. The Republican was established in 1888 and one of its first editors was George Perry, now a well known banker of Sheridan, Wyoming. During the intervening years the ownership has changed on various occasions but during no period of its career has the Republican enjoyed a more substantial standing or made more gratifying progress than under the present management with Mr. Alcorn as owner and editor. He has given to journalistic questions close and careful study, seeking to make his paper both the molder and mirror of public opinion. The Republican is ever found as the champion of well devised plans and measures for the general good and has taken the initial step in advancing many ideas which have proven of great benefit in connection with the upbuilding and progress of the city. When Mr. Alcorn took charge the paper had a paid circulation of about six hundred copies and this number has been increased to fifteen hundred and fifty copies per week. It is accorded a good advertising patronage and a considerable job printing business is done in the office, so that the enterprise is proving one of substantial profit. As the name indicates, the paper upholds republican policies in politics, being a stanch champion of the principles of the party. The business was incorporated in 1901 and through the intervening years the paper has continued to progress along lines that have led to substantial results.
    Mr. Alcorn is a member of the Wyoming Press Association and also of the International Typographical Union. He has always voted with the republican party and has made a close and discriminating study of the questions and issues of the day. His opinions concerning politics and other vital questions are trenchantlv expressed, his reasoning is clear and his logic convincing. Fraternally he is connected with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, with the Modern Woodmen of America and with the Masons. His religious faith is that of the Methodist church.
    It is largely through individual effort that Mr. Alcorn has reached his present position in journalistic and business circles. It is true that he had liberal educational opportunities, pursuing a college course in journalism, but all those who have trained in such do not attain success. There is often times a lack of adaptability which is a source of partial failure. Mr. Alcorn, however, has readily and wisely used the powers which he developed and is today one of the leading newspaper men of western Wyoming, while in matters of citizenship he ranks high as the champion of all those interests which are working for the general good and which look beyond the exigencies of the moment to the possibilities and opportunities of the future.