Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 1, Part 47

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913
Publication date: 1912
Publisher: Chicago, Munsell Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 864

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY

will be found In the "Historical Encyclopedia" part of this work.)

Under the administration of Messrs. Bailhachie and Baker the "Journal" developed rapidly, in 1856 espoused the canse of the Republican party, and was an influential factor in the Lincoln campaign of 1860, and still later during the war period. In December, 1862, David L. Phillips, who at that time held the office of United States Marshal for the Southern District of Illinois and had been an original Republican in that section of the State, became a stock-holder in the Journal Company. In 1866 he sold his inter- est to Maj. Bailhache, but still later resumed his connection with the paper and, after the appointment of Mr. Baker as Consul, assumed general charge. In 1876 Mr. Phillips was an unsuccessful Republican candidate for Congress from the Springfield District, and soon after the accession of Rutherford B. Hayes to the presl- dency in 1877, was appointed Postmaster for the city of Springfield, serving until his death, June 19, 1880. (See sketch in "Historical Encyclo- pedia." p. 422.) Others who held positions In connection with the editorial department of the "Journal" during this period including Charles J. Sellon, who was associate editor during the political campaign of 1860 and the first months of the Civil War. later entering service as a soldier in an Illinois regiment, Paul Selby as as- sociate editor during most of the war period (1862-65) ; Col. John Hay, late Secretary of State nnder Presidents Mckinley and Roosevelt, for some months in 1869, and until his appoint- ment as Secretary of the American Legatlon at Madrid, when he was succeeded by Mr. Selby, . the management of the latter at this time cover- ing the session of the Constitutional Convention of 1869-70. After spending several years as edi- tor of the "Quincy (III.) Whig," in January, 1874, Mr. Selby resumed his connection with the "Journal," which continued unbroken with the exception of one year, until the fall of 1889. During the latter years of the connection of Messrs. Baker and Phillips with the Journal Company, Messrs. Charles Edwards and J. D. Roper were also stockholders in the concern.

In September, 1878, Mr. Baker being then United States Consul at Buenos Ayres and Mr. Phillips Postmaster in the city of Springfield, the plant was sold to a new company consisting of Paul Selby, Milton F. Simmons and Capt. Horace Chapin, the new organization being in-

corporated under its present name as "The Illl- nois State Journal" Company, with Mr. Sim- Inons as President, Mr. Selby as Secretary and Editor-in-Chief, and Capt. Chapin as Treasurer and Business Manager. This arrangement con- tlnued until abont 1885, when Mr. Simmons sold out his interest and engaged in the real estate business in Kansas City, where he has since re- sided. Capt. Chapin retired In 1887, and spent the last years of his life in his former home at Jacksonville, where he died March 12, 1908. He was a veteran of the Civil War, and as. an officer of the Twenty-seventh Illinois Volunteers, took part in a number of the most sanguinary engagements of that period, including the Battle of Chickamauga in 1863, where he lost a leg, thus ending his military career. He later served as Postmaster.of the City of Jacksonville and, for a time before his connection with the "Illi- nois State Journal," was one of the proprietors of the "Jacksonville Journal." Paul Selby was appointed Postmaster of the City of Springfield as successor of his former associate, David L. Phillips, on the death of the latter in June, 1880, his first appointment being made by Presi- dent Rutherford B. Hayes, and by subsequent reappointment by President Arthur in 1884, held that position for six years, lacking three days, at the date of his retirement on June 30, 1886, by resignation during the administration of Grover Cleveland. About this time Mr. Selby sold the interest which he represented to Charles T. Stratton, of Mt. Vernon, Ill., who in con- junction with Mr. Frank W. Tracy conducted the paper for one year. At the end of this period, Mr. Selby, having organized a new com- pany, with Milton S. Kimball and John M. Glenn, (the latter now of Chicago), as partners, resumed charge as editor and as President of the company. This relation continued until the fall of 1889, when Mr. Selby and his associates sold their interests to Messrs. Clarence R. Paul and Harry F. Dorwin, as principal stockholders. Mr. Selby's association with the paper under different organizations as associate editor and editor-in-chief, covered a total of more than eighteen years.

Previous to his connection with the paper as proprietor, Clarence Paul had been city edi- tor for some years, and later private secretary of Hon. S. M. Cullom, first as Governor and then as United States Senator in Washington. Under the new arrangement Mr. Paul became

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY

editor-in-chief, with H. F. Dorwin as Business Manager. Lewis H. Miner later became a mem- ber of the company and ou the death of Mr. Paul in 1908, succeeded to the editorship. With the exception of the change caused by the death of Clareuce R. Paui, the management of the "Illinois State Journal" has been un- changed for a period of more than twenty years. During this period many changes have been made in mechanicai and other branches of jour- nalism, aud in these the "Journal" has kept up with the progress of the times. Mr. Miner, the present editor, served for several years as Post- master of the City of Springfield. At the pres- ent time daily, semi-weekly and weekly editions are published, aud during the past twenty years the paper has had a large Increase in circula- tiou and advertising patronage.

THE ILLINOIS REPUBLICAN .- The "Illinois Re- publican" was established at Springfield in May, 1835, by John A. Roberts and George R. Weber, and had a continuous existence of four years, or until the summer of 1839. It was a zealous supporter of the policy of Andrew Jackson aud itad a somewhat stormny existence. About 1837 Stephen A. Douglas, while serving his first term in the Legislature, having been appointed Register of the Land Office at Springfield, re- moved to that place aud became a frequent contributor to the "Republican." During the summer of 1837 Dr. Henry, who was an occa- sional contributor to the "Sangamo Journal" and at that time acting as Comuissioner in the con- struction of the first State capitol, was made the subject of much hostile criticism lu the "Republican," which was believed to emanate from Mr. Douglas. This led to a sharp con- troversy between the two papers, which at one time threatened to develop into a riot, but is said oniy to have resulted in the stabbing of the Sheriff, who was said to have been leading the mob. Mr. Weber was a native of Baltimore, MId., born May 29, 1808, in youth learned the printer's trade in Virginia, and after coming to Springfield in 1835, was connected with the printing business at different periods for many years. In 1839 he discontinued the publication of the "Republicau," soon thereafter becoming connected with the "State Register," with which he remained until 1845 or 1846. when he sold out luis Interest and soon after enlisted in Company A, Fourth Illinois Volunteers (Col. E. D. Bak- er's regiment) but while still in the field was

calied back to Springfield to resume his place on the "Register" in consequence of the death of Mr. Walters, who had succeeded him. He later spent considerable time iu farming, but during hls later years resumed the printing business with his sons iu Springfield. Though a Demo- crat, he was a zeaious Unionist and, during the Civil War, supported the war policies of the Governueut, serving as Commissary at Camp Butler by appointment of Presideut Lincolu.

ILLINOIS STATE REGISTER .- The "Illinois State Register," the second paper iu date of origiu still iu existence in Springfield, began its career at Vandalia in 1836, its first number being is- sued ou February 10th of that year, uuder the name of the "Illinois State Register aud Vau- dalia Republicau," by William Walters, who had been connected as priuter with the "National Intelligencer" in Washingtou. Soou after the removal of the State capital to Springfield in 1839-Mr. Walters at that time being State printer-the plant of the "Register" was re- moved to the new capital, where its first issue took place on August 10, 1839, with William Waiters and George R. Weber (previously of the "Illinois Republican") as editors and pub- lishers. This partuership continued uutil 1845, wheu Mr. Weber sold his interest to Walters, who, soon after having leased the office to Mr. Charles H. Lanphier, enlisted as a soidier iu the Mexican War, but died at St. Louis soon after starting for the front, having about the same time beeu appointed Commissary of his regi- ment. Besides being a capable writer, Mr. Wal- ters was a weil-trained printer of that period.

After the death of Mr. Waters Mr. Lanphier became sole proprietor for a time, but a year later Mr. George Walker entered into partner- ship with him, this arrangement continuing uutii January 1, 1858, when the partnership was dissolved. Mr. Walker being succeeded by Edward Conner. During the ownership of Lanphier & Walker various persons acted iu the capacity of editor, for most of the time up to 1858, the Register Company being State printers. The Lanphier & Conner organization lasted oniy about eighteen months, Mr. Conner retiring in June, 1859, aud Mr. Lauphier continuing as sole proprietor until 1864, when he sold out to the newly organized "Illinois State Register Printing Company," George Judd then becoming business manager with I. N. Higgius editor, the latter having been sometime previousiy cou-

746

HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY

nected with the paper iu an editorial capacity. For some time during this period the "Register" was issued as an eveniug paper. Mr. Lanphier commenced learning the printer's trade at Van- dalia with Mr. Walters, wbo was his brother- in-law and fouuder of the "Register." He was a man of conservative views, for several years during the war served as a member of the State Board of Army Auditors by appointment of Gov. Yates, later served for two terms as Circuit Clerk of Sangamon County, and iu 1872 was an unsuccessful candidate for State Treasurer on the Democratic (Greeley) ticket.

The organization last mentioned continued only a few months, the daily edition tben being issued as an evening paper and, iu December, 1864, another change came by the sale of the paper to J. W. Merritt & Sons, the senior mem- ber of the company having previously been con- nected with the "Belleville (Ill.) Advocate," and just before coming to Springfield, with the "Salem Advocate." Less than two years later Jobn W. Merritt retired from business connec- tion with the paper but retained editorial charge until 1873, when he was succeeded by his son, Edward L., who, in conjunction with his brother, continued the publication until June 1877, when they disposed of their interests to a stock com- pany consisting of Gen. John M. Palmer, E. L. Merritt, J. M. Higgins and Johu Mayo Palmer. For a cousiderable period after this date Gen. Palmer acted as editor-in-chief, but in Decem- ber, 1879, the plant was sold to George W. aud J. R. Weber, J. H. Oberly and Charles Edwards, the Webers beiug sons of John R. Weber who had been connected with the paper soon after its removal to Springfield. The new company assumed management on January 5, 1880. At that time Mr. Oberly was a member of the State Railroad and Warehouse Commission, and had previously been connected with the news- paper business but did not remain with the new company. It was organized with George W. Weber as President, who also officiated as edi- tor-in-chief. After retiring from his connection with newspaper work Edward L. Merritt served three terms (1890-96) as Representative in the General Assembly.

The next change resulted in the organization of the State Register Company practically as it now exists, Messrs. George Smith, Henry W. Clendenin and Thomas Rees, who had previously been publishers of tbe Keokuk (Iowa) "Dally"

and "Weekly Coustitution," becoming proprietors of the "Register" June 18, 1881. Mr. Smith became manager of the mechanical department with Mr. Clendeniu as editor and Thomas Rees as business manager. Mr. Smith died during the next year, but with this exception the man- agement has been unchanged to the present time, Messrs. Clendenin aud Rees being the present proprietors-the former as editor-in-chief and the latter as business manager. Both are ex- perienced newspaper men aud under their ad- ministration the paper has had a prosperous growth botb in circulation aud advertising pat- ronage, as well as in mechanical development. The present location of the office is on East Monroe between Sixth and Seventh Streets just opposite the postoffice, where the company have ample aud commodious business, editorial, type- setting and press-rooms for both newspaper and job-work. Mr. Clendenin held the office of Postmaster for the City of Springfield about four years (1886-90), while Mr. Rees served one term (1903-07) as State Senator from the Saugamon District.

The daily edition of the "Register" was es- tablished in 1848, and a semi-weekly issue in 1892, with the weekly issue, which has been maintained since the establishnuent of the paper in 1836, making three editions. Other daily papers of au early period, but which had a brief existence, were the "Daily Enterprise" (1854- 55), published by Richards and Smith with Washington Wright as editor; the "Daily In- dependent" (1856-58), with A. M. Garland edi- tor and Garland & Wheeler owners and pub- lishers; the "Republican" established in 1857 and continued until the years of the Civil War. John E. Rosette being editor most of that time; and the "Evening Gazette," established in 1878 and published by the Gazette Publishing Com- pany. The "Illinois State Democrat" (1857- 60) is believed to bave been a weekly, published by J. J. Clarkson with Elliott B. Herndon, brother of William H. Herndon, as editor. This was a supporter of the Buchanan wing of the Democratic party, and was therefore an op- ponent of Senator Douglas.

THE SANGAMO MONITOR .- The paper next to tbe "State Register" to have a continuous exist- ence for a number of years and develop into a daily issue, was the "Sangamo Monitor," which was established by T. W. S. Kidd as a weekly in May, 1873. Captain Kidd, as the proprietor

John, WSevier

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY

was known, had served as bailiff in the United States Marshal's office iu the city of Springfield, and later as Corouer, Assessor and Collector, Deputy Sheriff and Crier of the United States Court, and as a cousequence had a wide ac- quaintance. While the paper was nominaliy "independent" at the time of its establishment, its editor was a Democrat in his political rela- tious, and it generally supported the candi- dates for office on the Democratic ticket. Its columns were largely devoted to the discussion of matters of local and personal Interest. The publication of a daily edition was commenced In June, 1877, and continued until 1898, when it was discontinued and Capt. Kidd later served several years as United States Commissioner at Springfield, but dled August 17, 1904.

The "Evening Post" was established in 1879, and soou after its mauagers were incorporated as a company of some ten stockholders, under the name of the "Capital Cooperative Publish- ing Compauy," with a capital stock of $1,000, which later was increased to $2,000. It was started as an organ of the local Printers' Union, F. H. B. McDowell, J. K. Magie and S. P. V. Arnold serving at different periods as editors. Two of the principal stockholders withdrew dur- ing the first month of the paper's existence, and its publication was continued under this name less than two years.

After a somewhat stormy existence and undergoing a number of changes, the name of the "Post" was changed to "Evening News," and under this name has been continued to the present time. For several years in the 'eighties Rev. A. Gurney was editor and Mr. Gurney & Son publishers. During this time Rev. II. HI. Knmler, a prominent Methodist clergyman at Springfield, became interested in the concern aud. for a part of the time in the 'ninetles. was a principal stockholder. In 1897 it came uuder the management of Mr. George Anderson, after- wards appointed to a consulship in China, and in 1902 the plant became the property of Mr. F. M. Mills who, two years later, sold out to a corporation of which Mr. J. McCan Davis was a principal stockholder, and who became editor and business manager. During a part of this period Congressman Frank O. Lowden, of Ore- gon, Ill., was a stockholder. In January, 1907, Mr. Davis, who is now Clerk of the Supreme Court, retired and an option on the controlling stock was granted to Charles II. May, of Peoria,

who continued in management of the paper until January, 1910, when it was sold to Victor E. Bender and Arthur B. Mackie, the former then assuming the editorship. In 1911 came another change, Mr. Mackie then retiring aud Mr. Bender becoming sole proprietor. The "News" Issues daily (except Sunday) and semi-weekly editions.

The only other daily publication in Spring- field at the present time is "The Evening Rec- ord," an eight-page evening daily established in 1907, and published by the Springfield Record Publishing Company. The Record also publishes a morning edition on Sunday. It is Democratic in politics and is edited by Walter A. Town- send.

CAMPAIGN PAPERS .- A number of campaign papers, which were published for only a short period, have been established at different times, especially between 1840 and 1860, of which it is difficult to obtain any detailed history. Two of this class were the "Old Soldier" and "Oid Hickory" in 1840, the former edited by a Whig General Committee (of which Abraham Lincoln no doubt, was a member) and championing the cause of William Henry Harrison for President, while the latter was a supporter of Martin Van Buren, but taking its name from Andrew Jack- son, The "Olive Branch" was the name of a Whig campaign paper issued from the office of the "Sangamo Journal" in 1844, while a Ger- man campalgn paper, under the name of the "Illinois Adler und Democratischer Whig," was published during the same year under the edi- torship of I. A. Arenz, of the well known Arenz family, with I. F. Ruhe, Jr., as publisher. The "Conservative" was the title of a paper is- sued during the campaign of 1856 advocating the candidacy of Millard Fillmore for President, while the "Lincolu Clarion," published by E. R. Wiley, Jr., gave special support to Abraham Lincoln during the campaign of 1860. Since that period the advocacy of campaigu issues has been left for the most part to the regularly estab- iished journals.

There have been several other papers which, by the brevity of their existence and their field of influence, may be properly classed with the campalgn organs. These include the "Illi- nols Messeuger," which had a short existence lu 1840 under the editorship of Samuel S. Brooks, and "The Times," Democratic. also under the management of Mr. Brooks in 1843- 45. The "Iilinois Washingtoniau" was pub-

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY

lished as a monthly for a time iu 1845 (length of its career not known) by T. S. Fairchild and C. H. Ray (the latter stiil later editor of the "Chicago Tribune"), with Johu R. Weber, E. R. Wiley and James C. Conkiing as publishing committee. As its name indicates, this was a temperance orgau, and betweeu 1848 and 1851, it was followed by the "Illinois Organ," with George B. Goudy and S. S. Whitehurst as pub- lishers and proprietors, and D. J. Snow as ed- itor, and "devoted to temperance, morals, litera- ture, the arts aud sciences, general news and agriculture." Other papers with which Mr. Snow was later associated in an editorial capac- ity were the "Illinois Unionist and Statesman" (1852-53), and the "Western Leader" (1854-55), the latter an advocate of the principles of the Maine Liquor Law, which was submitted to popular vote in June, 1855.

GERMAN PAPERS .- Several attempts had been made to establish German papers In Springfield, but owing to the comparatively small German population, these generaliy proved to be but short-lived. With the exception of the "Iliinois Adier and Democratischer Whig' of 1844, men- tioned among the campaign papers, the first German paper published in Springfield is be- iieved to have been the "Iilinois Staats Anzeiger," established in 1859 by Dr. Theodore Canisius, a prominent German and a Republican who, In 1861, was appointed by President Lin- coln consul at Vienna, when the paper was prob- ably discontinued.

The "Iilinois Staats Democrat," established in 1866 by Christian Lohman, was continued until 1871, and according to the record, Lohman pub- ilshed a German evangelical paper under the name of the "Frei Kanzel" in 1870, and the "Dle Zeitung" iu 1870-71.

The "Illinois Freie Presse" was established in 1872 by Edward Rummel, then Secretary of State, as a Republican paper, but became a sup- porter of the "Liberal Republican" or Greeley movement, later was sold to Gehring and Hatze, and then became the property of Fred Gehring and Democratic lu politics. After one or two other changes it was sold to H. Schlange, pro- prietor of the "Staats Wochenblatt," and was discontinued in 1890.

In November, 1878, the "Staats Wochenblatt" was established by H. Schlange as editor aud proprietor. Mr. Schlange had been a soldier in his native country. rising from the rank of pri-

vate to Assistant Quartermaster, and coming to New York iu 1865, a year later reached the city of Springfield, where he was engaged In cigar manufacturing untii his newspaper venture of 1878. In May, 1901, the paper became the property of Benjamin F. Sexauer, wbo has been editor and publisher to the present time. The paper is Democratic in politics.

FRATERNITY, PROFESSIONAL AND INDUSTRIAL PUBLICATIONS .- One of the oldest fraternity pub- lications in Iiiinois was the "Masonic Trowel," established in 1862 by Harmon G. Reynolds, a prominent member and for many years Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of the Masonic Order. It was continued untli February 22, 1868, when the plant was burned and the publi- cation discontinued.

At the present time the following frateruity organs are in course of publication :

The "Odd Fellows' Herald," a semi-monthly publication, established in 1876, Mrs. Mary P. Miller and John H. Sikes being the present editors and publishers.

The "Court of Honor," an eight-page monthly publication issued by Charles G. Riefier as edi- tor and publisher.

The "Iiilnols Medical Journal," a monthly medical publication establisbed In 1899, issued under supervision of a Committee of the Iiii- nois State Medical Society, with Dr. George N. Kreider, of Springfield, as editor.

The "Illinois Tradesman," an eight-page weekiy publication, was established in 1897, and is now under the management of R. E. Wood- mansee, as editor and publisher. Mr. Woodman- see is prominent In Union Labor councils.

The "Farm Home," a monthly publication, was established iu 1893, and is conducted in the interest of the agriculturai and stock-breediug business by the Farm Home Publishing Com- pany, with Charles F. Miils as editor and busi- ness manager.

MISCELLANEOUS .- There has been a large num- ber of weekly or monthiy publications estab- lished at different periods and devoted to va- rious interests, fraternal, religious, industriai or otherwise, but which have iong since gone out of existence. Although the iist may be incom- plete, the following are mentioned :

The "Memento aud Odd-Fellows Northwestern Magazine," a fraternal monthly, established in 1854 by N. C. Nason, with Wiiiiam Rounse- viiie as 'editor. after a year's suspension (1856-

Hannah. I Reiner

749

HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY

57) was revived by Nason & Iliil and, in the late '50s came under the management of Nason and Dr. Samuel Wlliard, finally taking the name of "Memento and Odd-Fellows' Famlly Maga- zine." The date of final suspension is unknown.

The "Illinois Farmer" (monthly ) established by Simeon Francis after his retirement from the "Illinois State Journal" in 1855, was later edited for a time by M. L. Dunlap, aud published by Bailhache & Baker, proprietors of the "Jour- nal."

The "Olive Brauch," an organ of the Lutherau Church, edited by S. W. Hawley, had its begin- ning in 1856.

"Theodora," a religious monthly, Is mentioned in a Newspaper Directory of 1801.

The "Odd Fellows' Unlou" (mouthly), begun in 1866 by Harmon G. Reynolds & Son, with Dr. Samuel Wlilard, Secretary of the Order, as editor, lived about a year.

The "Capital Record and Family Journal" had an existence of two years (1869-71) under the management of Ed. A. Wilson as editor and publisher. Later (1872-76) Mr. Wilson was edi- tor of a religious monthly eutitled "The Labor of Love" and about 1876 he published "four times a month," a religious paper, "Food for the Lambs."

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 1, Part 47

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913 Publication date: 1912 Publisher: Chicago, Munsell Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 864

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913
Publication date: 1912
Publisher: Chicago, Munsell Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 864