Robert Emory Carmichael was born on this day in 1861, in Winston-Salem, to Louis F. and Adelaide McKenzie Carmichael.
He moved with his family to Indiana and Missouri, then returned to North Carolina in 1873 and to Winston-Salem in 1880. While he was in Indiana, he learned to set type during his vacations from school. When he came to Winston-Salem he was hired by the Western Sentinel because he could set type like a professional.
Over the year the newspaper was purchased, the name was changed to Twin City Sentinel, and Bob became an officer and a owner in the newspaper. Later, the newspaper was purchased by Owen Moon, and later by Piedmont Publishing Company. Through all of the changes, Bob wrote news articles and later, his columns.
He was known to friends and business associates later in his career as “Uncle Bob.” He wrote a column called “Town Topics.” It was filled with folksy comment and anecdotes that he gleaned in his daily walks around the city.
Uncle Bob was honored on several occasions for his newspaper work, and for his longevity in his job.
When he passed away in 1944, he was still an employee of the newspaper, with more than 63 years of service.
He was a member of Burkhead Methodist Church, and he was married to Alice Miller.
Photo courtesy of Forsyth County Public Library Photograph Collection.
