Mary Ann Potter Stereotypes Essay

A growing business, the Ferdinand News employed many local residents including one in particular. As one of the first female linotypes of her time, Mary Ann Potter, did exceptional actions throughout her lifetime; however, having achieved many of her greatest accomplishments at a young age, Mary Ann passed down characteristics that she valued most to her family. One core value that sticks out is her will to work hard. She portrayed this value by diligently learning how to operate the linotype machine, making her one of the few women able to accomplish this feat.
In a male dominated field, Mary Ann excelled, even though she referred to the linotype machine as a “monster”(Bolin 32). Kathy Tretter, owner of the Ferdinand News, stated, “Your great-grandma [Mary Ann] was a rare breed because women did not, generally, handle the linotype.”(1) At only 15 years old (Vaught 1), Mary Ann dropped out of high school to begin working at the Ferdinand News. When she first started, she received $0.25 per week for her duties. She worked through World War I, creating invitations and running the linotype, a duty that consisted of typing lines and providing the machine with metal to keep it
Henry received his start in the newspaper business from a German newspaper based in his hometown. When he began working for the Ferdinand News, he suffered a long, difficult journey to arrive in Ferdinand. Henry traveled by train from Tell City to Johnsburg and then in a log wagon from Johnsburg to Ferdinand. (Kundek 1) On June 8, 1906, Henry took the job of foreman at the paper (Greulich 67). As foreman, Henry regulated and ran all mechanical operations. However, a month later, he also took over Albert Strong’s job as editor (Sondermann 97). Henry continued his editing duties for 39 years. From June 8, 1906, to July 26, 1990, the Ferdinand News remained in the Haake family. (Greulich