WI BIO - Dane Co - HIDDEN, Walter Scott
Biographical Review of Dane County, WI. Chicago: Biographical Review Pub. Co. 
1893, Vol I, pp 132-133

Walter Scott HIDDEN, editor and proprietor of the Countryman, a weekly 
newspaper published at Sun Prairie, Dane County, WI, was born in Bristol 
Township, Dane County, WI, 02 Apr 1861, the son of J. E. and Catherine 
HIDDEN. His primary education was received at the district school, as he was 
reared on his father's farm, but in addition to this he had the advantage of 
two years at the State University and a term at the business college of 
Bryant & Stratton, at Chicago, IL. He was seventeen years old when he first 
left home, and after finishing at the last named institution he went to 
Ashton, Dakota [now Ashton, Spink County, SD], where he had charge of the 
Spink County Herald as general manager.

In two years he had returned to Dane County and worked in the office of the 
Countryman, at Sun Prairie, for four years. The paper was then under the 
management of C. S. CROSSE, but in 1889 Walter Scott HIDDEN purchased the 
paper, and since that time has had full charge. The paper has greatly 
prospered under his skillful management. Mr. HIDDEN has added new presses, 
an engine and other material, and now has a first class job office in 
connection with his paper. The paper is run in the interests of the 
Republican party, although Mr. HIDDEN is too just a man to let it become 
strongly partisan. The little sheet contains spicy editorials and local news 
and the steadily growing circulation indicates the appreciation of the people.

Walter Scott HIDDEN comes of an old family and can trace his paternal 
ancestry back to early days in England, while the maternal family tree runs 
almost as far back. The father [J. E. HIDDEN] came from VT to Lowell 
[Middlesex County], MA, where he was engaged in merchandising for a number of 
years. He then came to Bristol Township [Dane County, WI] and bought the 
farm where our subject was born. This farm consists of 80 acres of 
unimproved land, which he has cultivated until it is now an attractive home. 
Mr. HIDDEN, Sr., made his advent into WI in 1858. He had two children, our 
subject and a brother, [p 133] Charles, on the farm. Mr. HIDDEN, Sr., was 
one of nine children, two of whom are still living: the father of our 
subject, and Violet, wife of W. H. PEMBER, of Craftsbury [Orleans County], VT.

Our subject is an agreeable gentleman, whose object seems to be to please 
everyone with whom he comes in contact, and who succeeds, for few men of Sun 
Prairie have as many friends as has our friend, the editor of the Countryman.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly