(c. 1800-20 Feb. 1864), journalist. (W. W. Wyman) Born probably in NY state. He was the founder about 1832 of the Cornwall Observer, the first newspaper in Cornwall, and presumably the first in SDG. Certainly, GC had no newspaper of its own till almost half a century later (see James C. McNEIL). Thus Wyman stands at the beginning of the tradition of GC-area journalism. In 1833, he is is described as the newspaper’s printer and publisher. It may be guessed that the publication of this weekly newspaper was a very small operation, probably limited to a single room. On 1 Aug. 1836 the Cornwall Observer, owned by this time by Wyman’s former partner, John Carter, speaks of another Cornwall newspaper, the Cornwall Argus, of which Wyman, mentioned as an American, was then the editor and proprietor. It appears from this source that Wyman was currently being suspected of sympathies with republicanism. After leaving Cornwall, where he remained for only a few years, Wyman is said to have founded a newspaper (which has not been identified) in Ogdensburg, N.Y. At some time, perhaps before coming to Cornwall, he published a newspaper in Canton, N.Y. In 1838 he went to Wisconsin, where he was active in journalism and in the publication of newspapers, and in 1855 he went to Nebraska, where he was again active in the newspaper trade and where, in addition, he “became prominent” in politics. In 1857 he established a Democratic newspaper, The Weekly Times, at Omaha. He was the treasurer of Nebraska Territory, 1855-1861.
His son, Albert U. Wyman (25 Sept. 1833-4 March 1915) was born in Cornwall and was employed in Washington from 1860. Albert U. Wyman served twice as treasurer of the United States (1876-1877, 1883-1885), being appointed the first time by President Grant and the second time by President Arthur. As treasurer, his signature appeared on U.S. currency. In the succession of U.S. treasurers, he ranks as the 12th and 14th treasurer. For another GC-area connection with the U. S.Treasury, see William F. Maclennan.
Information kindly supplied by the Nebraska State Historical Society and the Library of the Dept. of the Treasury, Washington * biog. sketch in Dictionary of Wisconsin Biography (Madison, Wisc., State Historical Society of Wisconsin, 1960) 382 (QF) * Pringle 99, Harkness 371, Senior 122, 191 * copies of Cornwall Observer in National Library * 1879 p. 10 * Albert U. Wyman: resigns as treasurer, New York Times 23 April 1885; obituaries New York Times 5 March 1915, Cornwall Standard 11 March 1915