Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Morgan County, Part 142

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897. cn; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913. cn; Short, William F., 1829- 4n
Publication date: 1906
Publisher: Chicago : Munsell Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1286

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The Bannister Fund was created by Mrs. Ban- nister during her lifetime by the gift of $2,000, in three installments, in the years 1859, 1860 and 1865. It is stated: "The object of this fund is to aid young ladies of limited means, who expect to teach, in completing an education." Regulations which control the use of the fund were made by Mrs. Bannister as follows:

1. Loans are made to suit the wants of the applicant, not exceeding one hundred dollars to each.

2. It is preferred that such loans be made to young ladies in their last year of school.

3. Those who would avail themselves of this fund must present suitable recommendation as to scholarship, Christian character and pros- pects for future usefulness.

4. The loan is due one year after the com- pletion of the individual's course of study; and, if not then paid, to bear interest at the rate of six per cent until paid. Promptness in pay- ment is expected, that other young ladies may enjoy the use of the funds thus returned, and the blessings be more widely diffused.

5. Friends and relatives of the borrower are not held responsible for the payment of the debt thus incurred.

At the end of the seventieth year of the So- ciety's work $41,928.42 had been disbursed, and 1,584 persons had been aided. Some under- standing of the character and extent of the work of the Society may be inferred from the following report of the aid given in tuition or loans to twenty-three young ladies in the sev- entieth year of its existence:

In Bellevue College, Bellevue, Neb .. 5; Chicago University, 1; Chicago University, spe- cial course, 1; Jacksonville Business College, 1; Jacksonville Female Academy, 4; Illinois Woman's College, 4; Leland Stanford Univer- sity, 1; Oberlin University, Ohio, 1; Peabody Institute, Nashville. Tenn., 1: Park College, Parkville, Mo., 1; Hillsdale College, Hillsdale, Mich., 1; Shurtleff College, Alton, III., 2. The first money received by the society was a dona- tion by Mrs. Governor Joseph Duncan of five dollars. October, 1833.

The late Mrs. Joseph H. Bancroft, of Jack- sonville, who was a daughter of John Adams, LL. D., for six years (1837-43) Principal of Jacksonville Female Academy, and herself a

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teacher in the same institution for a part of that period, was one of the leading and in- fluential factors in connection with the Ladies' Education Society-for over fifty years serving as its faithful Corresponding Secretary, and during the last six years of her life (1894-1900) occupying the position of President. In her school days Mrs. Bancroft was a school-mate of Harriet Beecher Stowe and an intimate friend of other members of the Beecher family, and a pupil of Samuel Francis Smith, author of the popular hymn, "America." After a useful life, covering a period of eighty-six years, of which sixty-three years were spent in Jackson- ville, she died in that city in 1900.

CHAPTER XV.

JACKSONVILLE NEWSPAPERS.

GENERAL HISTORY-JAMES G. EDWARDS, AFTERWARD OF THE BURLINGTON (IOWA) HAWKEYE, ESTAB- LISHES THE ILLINOIS PATRIOT IN 1831-OTHER NEWSPAPER VENTURES-THE PATRIOT BECOMES "THE ILLINOIAN" IN 1838-THE MORGAN JOUR- NAL FOUNDED IN 1843-ITS PART IN THE FOUND- ING OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY-LONG LIST OF NEWSPAPER MEN WHO HAVE BEEN CONNECTED WITH IT-OTHER EARLY PUBLICATIONS-NEWSPA- PERS OF A. LATER PERIOD-JACKSONVILLE SENTI- NEL AND COURIER LEADING DEMOCRATIC ORGANS --- 1 RELIGIOUS AND COLLEGE PERIODICALS.

It is now impossible to write a complete and accurate history of Morgan County newspapers, owing to the lack of reliable data as to some publications, and to conflicting accounts in ref- erence to others. Those grounds of uncertainty are particularly found in regard to exact dates and to clearness of statement in many in- stances. That will explain any inaccuracies and omissions in the following statements.

It was not until long after the population of the community was large enough to need a lo- cal organ of information upon current events that the first attempt to establish a weekly newspaper in the county was made. After- wards a number of such efforts were made and proved failures. From the beginning to the present time it has been charged that local newspapers and periodicals have not been sup- ported with the degree of pride and patronage

that would naturally and reasonably be expect- ed in such an educational community as this has been from the beginning.

In the following summary a chronological or- der has not been attempted, further than to note the successive changes in which one publi- cation was merged into another as its successor, or merely to mention the adoption of a new name by the same publication. A fuller personal his- tory of some of those who were connected with the early journalism of the county will be found under the article headed Early Newspaper Men.

The first newspaper published in Morgan County that continued any length of time seems, from the best information available, to have been-

"The Illinois Patriot."-The date of the first number of this paper is unknown, but it was probably about December 20, 1831. Copies of the paper, issued in January and February, 1832, are still in existence; also some of those issued in 1833 and 1834. The proprietor and editor of that sheet was James G. Edwards, who was a printer by profession and came to Jack- sonville in November, 1829, for the purpose of establishing a newspaper. “The Patriot" espoused the cause of Henry Clay for President. In his editorial relation to the paper Mr. Ed- wards was succeeded for a time by Governor Joseph Duncan. Edwards later became the founder and editor of the Burlington (Iowa) "Hawkeye," where he died.

"The Gazette" was published in Jacksonville in 1834. Its beginning and suspension and the name of the publisher and editor the writer has been unable to learn.

"The Illinoian." -- In 1838 Major Josiah M. Lucas became the owner of the "Illinois Pa- triot." He changed the name of the paper to "The Illinoian." For a while Mr. Aylet H. Buckner and Colonel John J. Hardin were the editors. Afterwards Major Lucas himself was the edi- tor. He continued in control of "The Illinoian" until 1843, when, having been elected Recorder of Morgan County, he retired from the paper. Later Mr. Lucas was connected for some years with one of the Government Departments in Washington, and served in the 'sixties as Con- sul at Tunstall, England, by appointment of President Lincoln.

"The Morgan Journal." -- In 1843 Mr. William C. Swett succeeded Major Lucas, the retiring publisher of "The Illinoian." Mr. Swett changed

DEFarrell.

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the name of the paper to "The Morgan Jour- nal." Mr. William H. Sigler was for a time en- gaged as editor. (One account says that the paper was "edited by an association and pub- lished by Mr. Willianı C. Swett.") Possibly both statements as to the editorship of the pa- per may be correct, reference being had to dif- ferent times. Mr. John B. Shaw also edited the paper for a short time In 1847. The "Mor- gan Journal" was then (1847) in Its third vol- ume. The paper at the time was a six-column quarto weekly sheet, published every Saturday morning. The paper supported the Whig party. Mr. Swett died in 1850 and Dr. Edward Rey- r:olds Roe succeeded to the editorship of the paper, which he conducted for about two years, when in March, 1852, Messrs. Paul Selby and Alvah C. Clayton became proprietors, the for- mer as editor and the latter as manager of the mechanical department. Originally a Whig paper, "The Journal" then became "independ- ent." In March, 1856, Mr. Clayton retired from the newspaper branch of the concern, taking charge of the job department, and Mr. Selby conducted the paper alone. During the exciting times of the "Kansas-Nebraska" agitation, and other discussions preliminary to the Civil War, he made it an able Republican newspaper. It was at the beginning of this period ( December, 1855) that "The Journal" suggested the holding of a conference of editors opposed to the prin- ciples of the Kansas-Nebraska Act, for the pur- pose of outlining a policy for the next year's (1856) campaign. The proposition was ap- proved by twenty-five papers of the State, and on February 22, 1856, the proposed conference was held at Decatur, Mr. Paul Selby acting as Chairman. Mr. Lincoln was present in con- sultatlon with the editors. A platform was adopted, the most prominent feature of which was a declaration in opposition to the further extension of slavery. A State Central Com- mittee was appointed and a resolution adopted appointing a State Convention to be held at Bloomington on May 29th following, for the purpose of nominating candidates for State offices, which proved to be the first regular State Convention in the history of the party in Illinois. It was at this convention that Mr. Lincoln delivered one of his most famous speeches. The ticket put in nomination for State offices was headed by Colonel William H. Bissell as candidate for Governor, and the en-

tire ticket was elected in November following. During the Civil War period Mr. Selby was connected with the editorial department of the "Illinois State Journal" at Springfield, later was connected with certain Chicago papers and for six years as editor of the "Quiney (III.) Whig" and then (1874) returning to Springfield, re- sumed his connection with the "State Journal" of which he was editor for nearly fifteen years, a part of that time being one of the propri- etors. His last newspaper experience was as an editorial writer upon the "Chicago Tribune" (1897-99), although both before and since a frequent contributor to the press, and later as one of the editors of the "Historical Encyclo- pedia of Illinois" and related publications. In all he has spent over forty years in editorial work, of which some thirty-five years were in connection with the weekly and the daily press of the State.

"The Jacksonville Journal."-About September, 1858, Mr. Selby sold "The Morgan Journal" to Mr. William H. Collins, who changed the name of the paper, then an eight-column quarto week- ly. to "The Jacksonville Journal." On November 14, 1859, "The Journal" office with all its con- tents, material, presses, accounts and journal files of many years, was destroyed by fire, wip- ing out much historic matter. This was the second fire from which the paper had suffered, a small blaze having occurred in the type-set- ting department during Mr. Selby's connection with the concern.

On March 15, 1860, under the management of Mr. Collins, "The Journal" inscribed at the head of its columns the names of Abraham Lin- coln and Richard Yates, Sr., as candidates for President and Governor, respectively, and began editorially to promote their nomination. At the subsequent National and State Republican conventions of that year both were nominated and on November 6 they were elected.

Mr. Collins retired from "The Journal" Sep- tember 26, 1861, to accept a chaplaincy in the army. In his valedictory he announced that he left the business management In the hands of Mr. W. C. Brown. Mr. Horatio Barden soon became the publisher, and continued in that re- lation until November 17, 1864. Hon. H. J. At- kins, Mr. William W. Jones, and perhaps others, served as editors under Mr. Barden's manage- ment. Mr. Atkins, who was a brilliant young lawyer from Malne, was afterwards a member

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from Morgan County in the State Constitutional Convention of 1869-70, but died soon afterwards. Mr. Jones was the son of Dr. Henry Jones, of Jacksonville, and was a young man of much promise and attainments. He edited "The Jour- nal" during the political campaign of 1864, and was afterwards assistant editor of "The Illinois State Journal" at Springfield, where he died, in September, 1867.

Messrs. Joseph J. Ironmonger and A. H. Men- denhall purchased the Journal establishment at the time of the retirement of Mr. Barden, No- vember 17, 1864. Both of the new proprietors being practical printers, they put the concern upon a business basis, also improving the ap- pearance of the paper. Mr. Ironmonger had be- gun his typographical life in "The Morgan Jour- nal" office with Mr. Paul Selby, going afterward to Peoria, whence he returned with Mr. Menden- hall, to become a proprietor of the Jacksonville paper. Mr. Mendenhall had been foreman of the "Peoria Transcript," and was an experienced printer. He withdrew from "The Journal" in about a year, and went, eventually, to Lincoln, Neb., where he became one of the proprietors of the "Nebraska State Journal."

Col. George P. Smith became associated with Mr. Ironmonger, and was editor of "The Jour- nal" in 1865. Under Ironmonger & Company the paper took a great forward step. April 14, 1866, the firm, having purchased a steam press, began the publication of the "Jacksonville Daily Journal." Under Mr. G. P. Smith, as editor, the paper became quite a political power. The young daily was a small, unpretentious sheet, com- pared with the size and appearance of the paper at the present time, but in it Jacksonville had a daily newspaper, and that daily has lived and grown! Mr. Frank Mitchell was appointed local editor about April 17, 1866; acting also, for a time, as night editor. His facile pen and keen intelligence became a noteworthy feature of the paper at that time. After about six months he resigned, and entered upon ministerial work in Missouri. He was succeeded as local editor by Mr. Charles M. Eames. Mr. Eames resigned the position in 1868 to become city editor of the re- organized "Quincy Daily Whig,"-then under the editorship of Paul Selby-and was suc- ceeded, as local editor of "The Journal," by Mr. Lyman B. Glover, then about twenty-one years of age.

Under Ironmonger & Co. "The Journal" in- creased in job work, and July 19, 1866, the weekly was enlarged to nine columns. Soon after this Mr. Ironmonger retired from the pa- per and purchased the Franklin Job Office from Franklin J. Martin. Col. George P. Smith was now sole proprietor of the Journal establish- ment, with L. B. Glover as local editor. Col. Smith was a native of Virginia, an original Re- publican in that State, a fine public speaker and ambitious of political success. He sold the Journal property. on April 14, 1869, to Captain Horace Chapin and Mr. Lyman B. Glover, and Mr. Glover, then but twenty-three years of age, became editor. Mr. Ensley Moore was the local editor for a short time, being succeeded later by Mr. Edward Dunn, afterward City Attorney.

In April, 1874, Mr. Glover sold his interest in the establishment to Mr. Horace R. Hobart, of Chicago, Captain Horace Chapin remaining in charge of the business department. Mr. Hobart was an experienced newspaper man, of metro- politan views and independence. As editor and manager he made "The Journal" more of a lit- erary sheet, and also took an active part in local politics on some occasions. He improved the paper, changing the weekly to an eight- page form, and put it on a good business basis. Mr. George N. Loomis was the local editor. Hon. Milton F. Simmons, formerly of Mexico, Mo., having bought out Mr. Hobart in April, 1875, became editor, Mr. Loomis continuing as local editor. On the first day of March Mr. Charles M. Eames purchased a half-interest of Messrs. Chapin & Simmons, Captain Chapin then retir- ing. The latter part of the same month Mr. Eames took charge of the city editorial depart- ment, succeeding Mr. George N. Loomis.

From the date of this change in the business firm the paper has been in regular receipt of the Associated Press reports, a feature greatly appreciated by the community. The partnership of Messrs. Simmons & Eames continued until October 1, 1878, when Mr. Eames bought the interest of Mr. Simmons, who then became one of the proprietors of the "Illinois State Journal" at Springfield, in company with Mr. Paul Selby and Captain Horace Chapin. Having purchased new material, an enlarged sheet was issued un- der the new management, October 3, 1878. The subscription list, and the business of the office generally, grew continually, and its prospect for

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enlargement and increasing usefulness had never been more flattering. The daily was pub- lished every morning in the week except Monday -the weekly on Wednesday.

At first Mr. Eames had associated with him in the editorial work Hon. John Moses-later the author of "Moses' History of Illinois"-who also attended to the political and general de- partments. Mr. H. H. Palmer was the local ed- itor; Prof. J. H. Woods was the literary editor; Prof. James B. Smith the musical editor; with J. S. Hambaugh as general solicitor, William L. Fay as foreman of the news-room, and Robert A. Bradbury, foreman of the job-room.

Subsequently Prof. H. A. Allen was employed in the editorial department, while Messrs. George N. Loomis, Hiram H. Palmer, Richard Yates, Jr., Carl E. Black and Samuel W. Nichols, successively, as editors, and Prof. James B. Smith in the business department, at different times devoted their time and talents to the pleasure and interests of "The Journal" readers and patrons.

Mr. H. H. Palmer, city editor of the "Daily Journal," retired in the summer of 1881 to take editorial charge of the "Roodhouse Journal." Judge Moses had been succeeded as political writer by Captain N. C. A. Rayhouser, formerly of the "Lafayette (Ind.) Journal." That depart- ment was next conducted by Mr. Eames person- ally. In the city editor's place was soon found Mr. Richard Yates, Jr., whose nose for news and swift pencll skilfully chronicled the daily hap- penings. He was succeeded in that department by Mr. Carl E. Black, and Mr. Eames, as general editor, gave place to Prof. H. A. Allen. In Sep- tember, 1884, Messrs. Eames and Yates did the editorlal writing. In November following, Mr. Yates resumed his law practice, and Mr. H. H. Palmer agaln became "ye local;" and after a few weeks, in December, 1894, was succeeded by Mr. Samuel W. Nichols. Mr. Eames continued pro- prietor until the Jacksonville Journal Company was formed, November 22, 1886. Under the new organization the late Col. E. C. Kreider became President of the Company: Mr. Samuel W. Nichols, Treasurer: and Mr. William L. Fay, Secretary. In 1900 Mr. Hawes Yates became President of the Company. When the Company was formed Mr. Samuel W. Nichols was ap- pointed editor, and has continued to serve in that capacity to the present time (1905), with great ability, and satisfaction to the readers and

patrons of the paper. Mr. William L. Fay has been the business manager since the formation of the Company.

The following-named gentlemen have served as local editors since the new organization with much success and satisfaction to the company and the public: Messrs. Hugh M. Wilson, Alfred E. Day, Allan A. Tanner, D. C. Catlin, Samuel B. Stewart. J. E. Clifford, J. W. Walton, H. H. Bancroft, A. E. Fell and Roy Conolly. Mr. T. M. Beadle is the circulating manager, and Ralph Withee is collector.

In 1901 the company purchased a Linotype Typesetting Machine, and in 1903 a Duplex Printing Press was installed. With these addi- tions and improvements the "Jacksonville Jour- nal" office is one of the most modern and thor- oughly equipped in Central Illinois.

"The Sentinel" was the name of a paper puo- lished in Jacksonville in 1835. Its founder and the date of its first publication, are not ascer- tainable from any records now available. An issue in August, 1835, mentions Mr. William H. Coyle, as editor and proprietor. It displays the name of Hugh Lawson White as "the People's candidate for President." The leading editorial is in relation to the Jacksonville Female Acad- emy, of which Miss E. P. Price was then "super- intendent." In its advertising columns refer- ence is made to Jacksonville persons and events. The paper probably had a short existence.

"The Jacksonville Standard."_In 1838, Mr. Samuel S. Brooks edited and published the "Jacksonville Standard." In politics it was Democratic. It continued two years, and was suspended for lack of sufficient circulation. It was afterwards revived, but was soon discon- tinued.

Subsequently Mr. Brooks, distinguished for his newspaper career and ability, was at differ- ent times connected with several papers, among which were the "Quincy Herald" and the "Illi- nois State Register." He was quiet and pleasant in his manners. was an able writer and pos- sessed great independence and determination. His newspapers were regarded as the ablest Democratic organs in the State. After a busy and useful life he died when nearly seventy years old.

The "Jacksonville Sentinel" was founded, ed- ited and published by Mr. James R. Bailey in 1855. He continued to conduct the paper as editor and proprietor for seventeen years, when.

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in 1872, he was compelled, by failing eyesight, to discontinue his long, able and successful ca- reer as a pioneer newspaper man in Illinois. He was held in the highest esteem by the newspaper craft, and his enforced retirement was deeply and sincerely regretted by all his contempora- ries, of whatever political affiliations. He retired to his farm near Jacksonville, where ne spent his few remaining years, dying August 19, 1880. "The Sentinel" was established as a Democratic organ, and continued to stand manfully and ably for its principles and interests. (A sketch of Mr. Bailey's life is given elsewhere.)

Mr. Bailey's successors in the publication of "The Sentinel" were Messrs. Fanning, Paradice & Co., who also bought the "Jacksonville Inde- pendent," and merged it into the former. They also added steam fixtures, and a power press to the office.

In 1873, the Sentinel establishment was sold to Mr. Gershom Martin, Mr. W. T. Dowdall, of the "Peoria Democrat," afterward purchased an in- terest in the Sentinel property, and it was con- ducted under the firm name of Martin & Co., until purchased by Messrs. T. D. Price & Co., in May, 1876. Price & Co. also purchased the "Jacksonville Enterprise" at the same time, and united the two papers under the name of the "Illinois Courier." The paper was published daily and weekly until January, 1877, when the daily was discontinued, and a tri-weekly edi- tion was substituted.

The firm of T. D. Price & Co., as publishers ot "The Courier," was composed of T. D. Price, M. N. Price, H. L. Clay and G. E. Doying-the latter having bought a third interest in the property in 1876. All the partners were prac- tical printers, and each gave personal attention to the business of the office; Mr. Clay acting as editor and Mr. Doying as manager. In all re- spects the office was fully equipped, and equal to all business demands made upon it. July 18, 1882, Mr. Doying formed a partnership with Mr. William H. Hinrichsen, under the name of Doy- ing & Hinrichsen, who had acquired possession of the property, and continued the publication of the two papers until 1885. In March, 1883, the "Daily Courier" was re-established. In 1885 the firm was reorganized under the name of Doying, Hinrichsen & Case, by the admission ot Mr. Warren Case into the partnership. In addi- tion to conducting the Daily and Weekly Courier, the firm purchased the "Quincy Daily

Herald." Mr. Doying remained in Jacksonville and conducted "The Courier," while his partners removed to Quincy and.conducted "The Herald." In 1890 the latter paper was sold, and in 1892 the partnership was dissolved, Mr. Doying be- coming the sole proprietor of "The Courier," which he continued to control until his death, July 20, 1904. Under his management the "Illi- nois Courier" became the leading Democratic newspaper of Morgan County, and one of the most influential papers of Illinois outside of Chi- cago. (A sketch of Mr. Doying's life is given elsewhere.) 'The Courier," under the manage- ment of recent years, has been regarded as greatly superior in ability and material features to any of its predecessors. Modern and valuable machinery has been added, including two lino- type machines, a paper folder, and (just recent- ly) new type. Its job office facilities are of the highest excellence.

Upon the death of Mr. Doying, his sons, Messrs. William D. and George E. Doying, Jr., succeeded to the ownership and business man- agement of the paper, and, under their experi- enced direction in newspaper work, promise is given of a career of able and successful journal- ism. Mr. George E. Doying, Jr., fills the edito- rial chair, ably assisted by Hon. Edward Mc- Connel and Mr. George M. Davis, in the local department.

"The Jacksonville Independent" referred to in the preceding history of the "Jacksonville Sen- tinel," was established April 29, 1869, by Messrs. Joseph J. Ironmonger, and Henry B. Funk, Mr. Funk having editorial control. During the con- tinuance of Mr. Funk's editorial management, Mr. Ensley Moore was employed as assistant ed- itor. In 1872'"The Independent" was purchased by Messrs. Fanning, Paradice & Co., who also had purchased the "Jacksonville Sentinel," and "The Independent" was merged into "The Sen- tinel." In 1873 the united properties were sold to Gershom Martin, W. T. Dowdall, of the "Peo- ria Democrat," afterward purchasing an interest in "The Sentinel" establishment. It was con- ducted under the firm name of Martin & Co., until it was sold to T. D. Price & Co., in May, 1876.

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Morgan County, Part 142

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897. cn; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913. cn; Short, William F., 1829- 4n Publication date: 1906 Publisher: Chicago : Munsell Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 1286

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897. cn; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913. cn; Short, William F., 1829- 4n
Publication date: 1906
Publisher: Chicago : Munsell Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1286