USA > Illinois > Fulton County > History of Fulton county, Illinois > Part 100
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The Illinois Public Ledger was changed to The Fulton Ledger, and after Mr. Thornton assumed control of it he changed it to the Ful- ton County Ledger, and brought it out in a new dress. It was started as a seven-column folio, and shortly afterwards enlarged, and thus run till 1862, when it was reduced to its original size. Again, Nov. 24, 1871, at the beginning of volume 22, it was en- larged to its present size,-eight-column folio.
The Ledger enjoys a liberal advertising patronage and a large circulation. Its locals are abundant, fresh and crisp. Its foreign and general news is such as the public desire to become acquainted with. Its editorial columns are ably managed. The political mea- sures and movements of the day are discussed fearlessly, yet im- passionately. The principles of the Democratic party are advocated, and other measures that its editor believes to be for the welfare of the general public. Indeed, the Ledger is a first-class journal in every department. Of its editor, Mr. Thornton, we will now speak.
Stephen Yerkes Thornton, editor and proprietor of the Fulton County Ledger since the fall of 1856, was born in Philadelphia, Pa., Dec. 13, 1831 ; was educated at the common schools of his native city and the Coffeyville Boarding School; at the age of 17 he com- menced to learn the printer's trade in the office of the Dovelstown Democrat, Bucks county, Pa .; worked several months in 1864 in the office of the Washington Globe, and June 2 of that year he came to Canton, Ill., and worked in the Ledger office as a journeyman printer until the fall of 1856, when he bought Mr. Griffith's interest in that paper, and the next spring he bought out the other partner, Mr. Bideman ; in 1859 he was elected County Commissioner of Schools and re-elected in '61 ; was Alderman of the 4th ward of Canton two terms, 1865-7, and one term in the 3d ward, 1870-71; member of the Board of Education 1869 to 1876, being President the last two years; in 1872 he was elected a member of the State Legislature on the Democratic ticket, and in 1874 was re-elected; and in 1876 was a candidate on the same ticket for Secretary of State.
His parents were Theodore and Mary (nee Yerkes) Thornton, the former a native of Pennsylvania near Philadelphia, and of English descent, and the latter of Montgomery county, Pa., of German an-
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cestry. Her father was Wm. Yerkes and her mother was Letitia, nee Long ; her grandfather was Harman Yerkes, and her grandmother was Mary, nee Stout; her great grandfather emigrated from Ger- many and located in Montgomery county, Pa. Mr. T.'s father's father was John Thornton ; his father's mother was Mary, nee Moon ; this family came from England and settled in Bucks county, Pa.
Mr. Thornton married Ann Adelaide Baudouine, daughter of Abraham and Cornelia (nee Stout) Baudouine, in the Baptist church at Canton, Feb. 14, 1858; of their 5 children 3 are living,-Theo- dore R. (dec. at 3 years of age, in the spring of 1862), Mary L. (died within 10 days of last, both of scarlet fever), Ella Irene, Wm. E. and Carrie.
THE LEWISTOWN DEMOCRAT.
There is no paper published in interior Illinois that is more widely known than the one of which we now write. For a quarter of a century it has regularly made its weekly visits to the homes of the citizens of Lewistown, and, indeed, of all parts of the county. During these many years no other paper in the county has wielded a greater influence for the public weal, and for its party principles, than it. The thirteen hundred different numbers of it that have been issued have done more toward molding the political sentiment of Fulton county, and furnished a greater variety of news and choice literary reading than any other journal published within its borders.
But few papers have been founded and experienced so few changes in its editorial management during an existence of twenty- five years as the Democrat has. No other name than that of David- son has ever appeared at its head. Only one change has ever been made, and for over twenty years the present editor and publisher has stood at the helm.
In the way of a preface to the historical sketch of the Democrat we wish to speak of two or three other papers that flourished at Lewistown just previous to the founding of it.
The Fulton Republican was started in 1844 by Hugh Lamaster as a Whig organ and an impetuous advocate of Henry Clay for Presi- dent. It suspended in 1854 immediately upon the removal of the Illinois Public Ledger to Canton, and Lewistown was for a time without a paper. The Republican was plucky, and although for some time previous to its. suspension it did not pay as an enterprise, yet so long as its rival, the Ledger, remained at Lewistown it would hold out even at a loss. J. M. Rankin, a school-teacher, bought most of the material of the Republican office and started a very neat seven-column paper called the thirteen issues of which appeared, when it suspended.
Just here we wish to remark that the reason for not giving the name of Mr. Rankin's publication is not because we failed to make diligent inquiries to obtain it. Many persons who we were informed
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would remember its name were queried in regard to it, but not one could call the name to mind. Even Mr. Frank P. Panll, a man of excellent memory and who was employed upon it as a compositor, fails to remember it. He called upon as many as twenty persons whom he knew were once familiar with the short-lived sheet, but not one of them could tell its name. Thus, perhaps, the title of this pioneer paper will never be resurrected from the oblivion that has already enshrouded it.
The first number of The Fulton Democrat, the original name of the Lewistown Democrat, appeared June 14, 1855. It was pub- lished by James M. Davidson, brother of the present editor. The printing office at that time was in a little one-story briek building that was located just north of the court-house. Its salutatory was three and one-half' columns in length. It was an able review of the political history and situation of the United States, and the editor even crossed the ocean to Europe and spoke in a familiar manner of the political situations of the powers of that continent. The paper was a six-column folio, neatly printed, and reflected credit upon its publisher.
Mr. J. M. Davidson conducted the Democrat as editor and pro- prietor until July, 1858, when Wm. T. Davidson became associated with him as co-partner, and the firm was known as Davidson Bros. It remained thus but a short time, however, for we find that on Nov. 12, 1858, the firm was dissolved by James M. Davidson with- drawing, leaving Wm. T. Davidson sole editor and proprietor, which he has remained to this day. James M., during the past eighteen years, has been editing the Carthage (Ill.) Republican.
During the summer and autumn of 1879, Mr. Davidson erected a large brick building especially arranged for a printing office. This building, which doubtless will be known as the "Democrat Building," is located npon the west side of the Public Square, and is one of the finest business blocks in Fulton county. The entire upper floor of the structure is occupied by the office of the Demo- crat. All of the more modern conveniences and improvements have been introdneed in it, and to-day it is not only the largest and best fitted printing establishment in the county, but will compare favorably with any offices in any of the smaller cities of the State. Among the useful improvements introduced in the new office is a steam engine, which furnishes ample power to run his presses.
Politically, as the name implies, this is a Democratic paper. The editor, however, is independent and fearless in his editorials. He advocates or approves men and measures with all the force and ability of a naturally gifted pen and an exceedingly positive out- spoken nature. He has a mind of his own and never fears to ex- press it. His articles have a characteristic terseness and force which is well known all through Central Illinois. His opinion on public matters, on political issues, and of public men, is sought and relied upon with no little degree of confidence.
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He has labored hard for many years upon this paper, with an ambition to make of it, not a political organ, but a good family newspaper ; and that his labors have been appreciated is evinced by the liberal patronage his paper has received.
The Lewistown Democrat is a large, nine-column folio and con- tains a greater amount of reading matter than any other journal published in the county. Its local columns are well filled with the happenings of the entire county which are of general or local in- terest. During the early days of the existence of this paper it con- tained a very limited number of locals, for, said the editor, "Nothing occurred to make a local of."
William Taylor Davidson, editor and proprietor of the Democrat, was born in Petersburg, Menard Co., Ill., Feb. 8, 1837, and brought to this county the following year, where he was reared and has since lived. Isham G. Davidson, his father, was brought from South Caro- lina to Illinois in 1807, even prior to the organization of the Territory of Illinois, and 11 years before its organization as a State. He was born in 1802, and died in Feb., 1878. Up to the time of his death there were few men living in the great Prairie State who came into it while it was yet a county of the Territory of Indiana. Mr. Davidson's mother, Sarah A. (Springer) Davidson, was born June 2, 1810. She was brought (in 1811), to the State before its organ- ization as such and lived in log forts in Coles county during the war of 1812 to '15. She saw many of her neighbors killed by the Indians. His parents were united in marriage in 1826. This couple were truly pioneers. Wm. T. began his career as printer upon the Republican in 1853 with Hugh Lamaster, and has made it his life work. He was elected Commissioner of Schools for Ful- ton county in 1863, and did much to rectify the prevailing abuses of school privileges. He was united in marriage with Lucinda Ann Miner in 1860. They have had a family of 7 children born to them, 5 of whom are living. Harry is their eldest son.
CANTON REGISTER.
This large and excellent newpaper is one of the leading journals of Central Illinois, indeed, it takes rank with the larger and more prosperous papers of the Northwest. Unusual ability, tact and business enterprise are displayed in its management. Its editorials are ably prepared, its local columns are generally full, well arranged and embrace all the happenings of the city, indeed, of the entire county. It has a list of regular correspondents in various parts of the county, who contribute well-prepared articles of the news of their distriet each week.
The typographical appearance of the Register, which is the largest paper published in Fulton county, is neat and tasty. It is an honor to any office to send out such excellent quality of work. The Register office is furnished all through with the best material and presses, and for mechanical execution the job work done at this
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office will compare favorably with that turned out from the larger establishments of the State. Its present editor is one of the thoroughly enterprising newspaper men of the county, and that the progress he has made is appreciated by the general public is evinced by the unusual success attending his enterprises.
The first issue of the Canton Register appeared in January, 1849, Charles J. Sellon* being publisher. It was then a six-column folio. In April following, Mr. Sellon sold the office to Messrs. Slaughter & Sharkey. In July following Mr. Slaughter died of cholera, and, Mr. Sharkey, having no practical knowledge of the newspaper busi- ness, the services of John S. Winter, Esq., were secured as editor. Mr. Winter soon after resigned his position and commenced the pub- lication of the Knoxville Journal. He is the present County Clerk of Knox county. In November, 1849, Mr. Sharkey procured the services of Mr. John P. Brooks (who was afterwards elected State Superintendent of Public Instruction) as editor, and the Register was issued as a Democratic paper. Up to this time it had been neutral in politics. In this character the Register lived but a short time, and in February, 1850, ceased to exist, and the office fell into the hands of T. Maple, who in August of that year sold it to Thos. J. Walker, of Belleville, Ill. He purchased a larger press, and in September recommenced the publication of the Register as a neutral paper, and enlarged it to seven columns. For a few weeks he employed Mr. Wm. H. Haskell as editor, but soon thereafter took Dr. Asa Lee Davison as partner in the office and editor of the paper. In 1852 Mr. Walker disposed of his interest in the office to Mr. Henry L. Nicolet. On the 2d day of March, 1853, Dr. Davi- son died, and Mr. Alpheus Davison bought his interest in the office, the firm then being Davison & Nicolet. The new firm soon changed the character of the paper from neutral to independent, and boldly discussed the political issues of the times without regard to party, one of the proprietors being a Democrat and the other a Whig. The Register opposed the Kansas-Nebraska bill, which subsequently caused the destruction of old party lines and the organization of the Republican party. In 1856 the Register became an outspoken Re- publican paper, and by the assistance of friends a power press was purchased and the paper enlarged to eight colums, In 1861 the proprietors threw aside party lines and declared only in favor of the maintenance of the Government and the Union without regard to party. During the years 1861-2 the paper had a hard struggle for its existence, it being suspended for two months during 1862, while both its proprietors were in the army.
*Mr. Sellon was subsequently connected with several different papers, and on the breaking ont of the war became Mijor of an Illinois regiment, where he remained till his health and hearing were so much impaired that it became necessary for him to resign. After returning home he was for a short time connected with the Springfield Journal, an I still later with the Peoria Tran- script, but his health continued to fail, and he died in 1862.
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HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY.
In October, 1866, Mr. Alpheus Davison sold his interest in the paper to James K. Magie, who became its editor. The firm name was Nicolet & Magie, and the Register was again a pronounced Re- publican paper. Some time between 1868 and 1872 Mr. Nicolet disposed of his interest to W. P. Tanquary, and the firm name was changed to Magie & Tangnary. In 1875 Mr. Tanquary sold out to Mr. Magie, who became sole proprietor. In 1877 Mr. Jesse N. Berry and E. R. Magie leased the office (Mr. Jas. K. Magie having been appointed State Printer Expert, could not attend to the publi- cation of the paper) for one year. At the expiration of their lease Mr. Berry retired, and James K. Magie & Son became editors and publishers. During the spring of 1878 the Messrs. Magie pro- nounced in favor of the National or Greenback party, and the Register rapidly ran down until it no longer paid expenses.
In June, 1878, Mr. C. E. Snively, the present editor and proprie- tor, purchased the office and good will of Mr. J. K. Magie, and at once made the Register an advocate of Republican principles. By dint of hard labor the Register again assumed its place as the leading paper of the county, and to-day enjoys a circulation of almost 2,000 copies per week. It is also the largest paper printed in Fulton county.
Clarence E. Snirely, editor and proprietor of the Register, is a native of Ellisville, Fulton county, where he was born July 4, 1854. He received his education principally at the public schools at Avon. His father, Naaman Snively, carried on the harness business at Avon for several years. When the subject of this sketch was 10 years of age this parent died, at which time Clarence entered the office of E. A. Snively, editor and publisher of the Rushville Times. He remained in that office for 2 years, when he entered the office of the Pekin Register (now the Times) to finish his apprenticeship. After he had accomplished this his ability was appreciated to such an extent that he was made foreman of the office. In 1875 he bought a half interest in the Carlinville Democrat, in company with H. M. Kimball ; after one year sold out his interest in this paper to A. W. Edward. He received an offer from W. T. Dowdall, editor of the National Democrat, Peoria, to take the foremanship of that office, which he accepted, and in that capacity acted until Sept. 17, 1877, when he took the foremanship of the Canton Register office, then edited by Berry & Magic.
In June, 1878, Mr. Snively bought the entire interest of this paper, since which time he has conducted it alone. The circulation has increased under his management from 500 to almost 2,000, and from a six-column folio to a six-column quarto, and it is one of the largest and best managed provincial papers in the State.
THE NEWS-CHRONICLE.
As early as 1843 Lewistown had a newspaper. At that early date the Fulton Banner was published here, by whom we do not know. It was a five-column folio, and for a pioneer paper the
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mechanical work reflects credit to the skill of its publishers. Dur- ing this period of thirty-seven years many papers have been pub- lished in the county, but not so many in Lewistown as in other places. Newspaper enterprises have proven more successful, con- sequently more permanent in this city than in most other places.
The Lewistown Union, a Republican organ published here, was started by De Witt Bryant about 1864 or '65, and was run till about 1871. This paper passed into several hands during its exist- ence of a half dozen years. Phelps & Bryant became its publishers for a time, when Mr. Bryant sold to G. A. Hyde, and Hyde & Phelps condueted it. Mr. Phelps soon retired, selling out his inter- est to his partner's father. The Union was run by father and son for a time, when the son became sole proprietor. During the year 1871 he moved the material to Ipava and began the publication of the Fulton Press.
No time in the history of the city have the principles and measures of the Republican party had such a strong and able organ in Lewis- town as at present, which it has in The News-Chronicle. Its editors, Messrs. Yarnell & Ketcham, fully realize the arduous duties and responsibilities resting upon them as conductors of one of the lead- ing political papers of the county. Not only is The News-Chronicle admired for the fair and able manner in which it discusses the po- litical issues of the day, but as a news and literary journal it ranks high. It is an eight-column folio, neatly printed, and besides its foreign, national and local news, its literary clippings and produc- tions, its personals, poetry, editorials, market reports and miscellany, ยท it contains a goodly number of advertisements, thus showing that it is appreciated by the best judges of the value of a newspaper, advertisers.
In 1875, Nov. 13, George Yarnell founded the Lewistown News, a five-column folio. He purchased new presses and office material and started a job office, and issued the paper to advertise his new enterprise. This little sheet was so well received that Mr. Yarnell was encouraged to enlarge it and send it forth as a regular publica- tion. This he did March 30, 1876, when it was increased to the present size of The News-Chronicle.
Mr. Yarnell continued to publish the News, meeting with success, until November 13, 1879, when he was joined by W. L. Ketcham, and The News-Chronicle issued. Mr. Ketcham was formerly editor of the Vermont Chronicle, and the News and Chronicle were com- bined, and both gentlemen unite their forces in the publication of The News-Chronicle.
The paper is established upon a paying basis, and its future seems bright. The influence it will wield in the interest of the Republi- can party in this part of the county will be felt, and we feel assured that it will be appreciated by the members of that great organiza- tion. Its subscription price is only $1.50 per year.
There is one feature of The News-Chronicle worthy of note, in
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this connection. While its readers enjoy the benefits of the " patent outside," yet the great mass of foreign advertisements that usually disfigure " patent sides" are dispensed with. Messrs. Yar- nell & Ketcham have special arrangements with the publishers of these whereby they get only choice literary selections and general news, which are selected and compiled by experts.
Geo. Yarnell, senior editor of The News-Chronicle, published at Lewistown, is a native of Fayette county, Pa., where he was born Dec. 27, 1830. His father, Ellis Yarnell, was born in Pennsyl- vania, and was a farmer through life; he married Miss Hannah C. Taylor, of Pennsylvania; of their 8 children George was the eldest but one; he was but 2 years of age when his parents settled in Licking Co., O .; at 17 he went to Putnam, O., where in the office of the Western Recorder he learned the printer's trade. At the end of 2 years, on account of ill-health, he went to Missouri, where he rapidly recovered, and entered the office of the Liberty Tribune, published at Liberty, Mo., and there gained a large practical experi- ence; afterward he became employed at Lexington and St. Louis ; returning to Ohio he remained until 1854, when the California min- ing excitement was at its height. He crossed the plains with Rus- sell, Waddell & Co., and after a wearisome trip of 4 months he landed at Marysville. Near Diamond Spring he began life as a miner; remained in California 9 years; was also editor of the Placerville Daily News. He then returned to this county, where, near Lewistown, he bought farm property and followed agricultural life until 1869, when he again went to California, stopping at Los Angeles, where in connection with a younger brother he established the Los Angeles Daily Express, which had a very good circulation. In 1871 Mr. Yarnell permanently settled in Fulton county and fol- lowed farming until 1875, when he began the issue of the Weekly News.
Mr. Yarnell is a man of a family. In 1864 he was united in marriage with Miss Rosa Ann Felkel, a daughter of John Felkel, of Lewistown township. They have 4 children,-John E., Mary M., Sarah A. and Jennic.
W. L. Ketcham, the literary man of the News-Chronicle, is a young gentleman of business ability and a writer of no mean reputation. During the carly part of the present year (1879) he moved from Havana, Mason county, his former residence, and where he had conducted a piper, to Vermont, and assumed the management of the Vermont Chronicle, formerly and at present owned by George L. Durell. He conducted this paper for a few months, when he formed a co-partnership with Mr. Yarnell, combining the Chronicle with the Lewistown News. Mr. Ketcham is an ingenious, practical printer, thoroughly understands the art and executes some very fine job work.
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VERMONT CHRONICLE.
The advance guard of civilization who first settled in this county had no daily papers, and even weeklies were like "angel's visits, few and far between," for mails were irregular and infrequent, be- ing carried on horseback, and sometimes not carried at all. The early pilgrims who located at Vermont had their mails carried to them from Bernadotte, one of the principal points of the county at that time. Some of the men, who are now white-headed veterans, were young men full of life and vigor then, and thought nothing of making long journeys alone through an unsettled country. It was by the bravery and toil of these men that Vermont received a few copies of some religious journal or Eastern paper. For a dee- ade, however, her people have been supplied with their own local paper from their own presses. After the completion of the C., B. & Q. Railroad a season of great business prosperity was enjoyed by Vermont. Mercantile business was never so great; building of both store-houses and dwellings went rapidly on, and all kinds of mechanical labor were employed in the growing town. Besides these aids a new road was being constructed, the R., R-I. & St. L. R. R. At this properous period in Vermont's history, George L. and Edward P. Durell, two enterprising sons of one of the early and prominent settlers, W'm. Durell, started a paper. It was christened the Vermont Chronicle, and the first number appeared Nov. 27, 1870.
These gentlemen engaged F. P. Hallowell to conduct the edito- rial department of the new paper. Mr. Hallowell was a bright and talented man and made a good editor, but at the expiration of four or five months severed his connection with it. At that time George L. Durell, the present editor and proprietor, purchased the interest . of his brother. Col. E. P. Durell, long the popular local agent of the C., B. & Q. R. R. Co., is a writer of considerable talent and did much with his pen and energy to establish the Chronicle. He re- cently resigned his position on the railroad, which is now ably filled by Edward R. Thomas.
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