In 1864, during the American Civil War, J. K. Stickney and W. C. Morrill published the first edition of the "Florida Union". It was a Northern and Republican paper, at the time when Jacksonville was occupied by the Union Army. By 1867, Stickney sold the "Florida Union" to Edward M. Cheney, of Boston. Cheney tried to make the paper into a daily publication but lacked the needed money. The "Union" was sold to Walton, Fowle & Co. in 1873. Stockholder C. F. Mawbey assumed control and turned the "Union" into a daily publication. Cheney returned to the "Union" as an editor.