USA > Illinois > DeKalb County > Portrait and biographical album of DeKalb County, Illinois : containing full-page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county > Part 89
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The first annual fair of the association was held at the old fair grounds, which had been purchased and several hundred dollars in improvements made thereto, commencing on the 6th day of October, 1870, and continuing four days. The fair was considered a success, the award of premiums being made from the judges' stand at 2 P. M. on the 9th day of Octo- ber.
Annual fairs have since been held, which have grown in interest year by year, the increase in re- ceipts being about $100 each year over the previous one. The fair grounds have been paid for, many im- provements, made and premiums paid in full each year. The society is now, in January, 1885, out of debt, with money in the treasury. Much of the suc- cess is due to the earnest work of the officers.
The following is a list of officers from 1871 to 1885, inclusive :
187 1-Henry Wood, President; Stephen Town- send, Vice-President; T. K. Waite, Secretary ; Ros- well Dow, Treasurer.
1872-Samuel Alden, President ; A. H. Pond, Vice-President; H. C. Whittemore, Secretary ; Rich- ard A. Smith, Treasurer.
1873-S. C. Hale, President; A. H. Pond, Vice- President ; H. C. Whittemore, Secretary ; E. P. Saf- ford, Treasurer.
1874-S. C. Hale, President; R. A. Smith, Vice- President; Edwin Waite, Secretary ; E. P. Safford, Treasurer.
1875-R. A. Smith, President ; L. D. Evans, Vice- President; Edwin Waite, Secretary; William Town- send, Treasurer.
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DE KALB COUNTY.
1876-Damon Decker, President; Elias C. West, Vice-President; Edwin Waite, Secretary; Hiram Holcomb, Treasurer.
1877-Elias C. West, President; John G. Smith, Vice-President; Edwin Waite, Secretary; Hiram Holcomb, Treasurer.
1878-No record.
1879-Hiram Holcomb, President ; E. P. Safford, Vice-President ; Edwin Waite, Secretary; B. F. Wyman, Treasurer.
1880-Hiram Holcomb, President: A. P. Stone,
Vice-President; B. F. Wyman, Secretary; Amos W. Townsend, Treasurer.
1881-Hiram Holcomb, President; E. P. Safford, Vice-President; B. F. Wyman, Secretary ; A. W. Townsend, Treasurer.
1882-All the officers re-elected.
1883-Hiram Holcomb, President; C. Ellwood, Vice-President ; B. F. Wyman, Secretary; A. W. Townsend, Treasurer.
1884-All the officers re-elected.
1885-All the officers re-elected.
The De kalb County Press.
USTLY has the printing press been said to be the Archimedean lever that moves the world. By it the thoughts of the wise men of every age are reproduced over and over again, circulated broad- cast, and find their way into al- most every home, exerting an in- fluence as lasting às time. While the great dailies of our metropoli- tan cities supply the general news of the world almost as soon as the events occur, the local press of each town and county is expected to chronicle items of interest transpiring in the community in which it is established. While the great dailies are of special in- terest to those who desire to be posted in the affairs of the whole world, the home paper is indispensable to those who feel a more than ordinary interest in the local happenings of the day, and in events of which they are cognizant and an active participant.
In comparison with its circulation, the home paper exerts even a greater influence than the so-called great papers of the metropolitan cities. At the pres- ent time De Kalb County is well supplied with home papers. In the list are the following: True Republi- can and City Weekly, Sycamore; Chronicle and Re- view, De Kalb; Index, Genoa; Mail, Malta; Re- view, Hinckley; Gazette, Free Press and Argus, . Sandwich; Reveille, Somonauk; Express, Shabbona.
The Republican-Sentinel.
EPUBLICAN-SENTINEL, edited and pub- lished by H. A. Hough, at Sycamore, was the first paper printed in De Kalb County. The first issue made its appearance May 31 1854. The Sentinel gave a vigorous and en- thusiastic support to the prohibitory liquor law presented to the people of the State for its adoption. In 1858, the Republican-Sentinel was purchased by
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the friends of Senator Douglas, its name changed to the Sycamore Sentinel, and it became, under the cdi- torial management of E. L. and Z. B. Mayo and Jacob A. Simons, an earnest supporter of Senator Douglas for re-election. This was the year in which the great debate was held between Douglas and Lincoln, which, as Lincoln subsequently remarked, elected Douglas to the Senate and Lincoln to the Presidency. The paper was continued until May 29, 1861, when it was consolidated with the True Re- publican.
The True Republican.
N the fall of 1857 the True Republican was started by C. W. Waite, editor and proprie- tor. It was a seven-column folio, and pre- sented a very neat and attractive appearance. On the 30th day of March, 1858, the material and good will of the office was purchased by James H. Beveridge, D. B. James and C. M. Brown, and the paper was continued under the firm name of J. H. Beveridge & Co., proprietors ; O. P. Bassett, publisher ; C. W. Waite was retained as editor. On the 5th day of April, 1859, O. P. Bassett purchased the material of the office and became publisher and proprietor, retaining Mr. Waite as editor. On the 29th day of May, 1861, Mr. Bassett bought out the Sycamore Sentinel, consolidating the papers under the name of the Republican and Sentinel. Mr. Bassett remained as sole publisher until May 14, 1862, when he disposed of one-half of the office to H. L. Boies, and the paper was continued under the firm name of Bassett & Boies, with Mr. Boies in the editorial chair. The paper had some time previous been changed to an eight-column folio About the close of the war John Norris purchased Mr. Bassett's interest, and, under the firm name of John Norris & Co., the paper was published, Mr. Boies still attend- ing to the duties of editor. The name was now changed to Sycamore True Republican. In Janu- ary, 1868, Mr. Boies became sole proprietor. On the 15th day of December, 1869, the paper was changed to a semi-weekly, seven-column folio, con- tinuing as such to the present time. In September, 1874, George P. Taylor purchased a half interest
and the firm became Boies & Taylor. This arrange- ment continued until 1875, when Taylor sold his interest to George O. Armstrong, and the firm then became Boies & Armstrong. On the 13th of March, 1878, David L. Peck purchased Armstrong's interest, the firm name being changed to Boies & Peck. On the 8th day of September, 1880, D. W. Hartman purchased the interest of Mr. Peck, and the firm was then known as Boies & Hartman. In July, 1884, Mr. Hartman retired and the paper now is pub- lished by H. L. Boies & Co. The True Republican is now in its 28th year. It has had its ups and downs, but has held steadfastly on its way, always being a consistent advocate of the principles implied in its name. Mr. Boies has been connected with it almost a quarter of a century, devoting the best part of his life to its success and in the advocacy of true Republican doctrine.
The People's Press.
HE Ioth day of September, 1857, the People's Press made its first appearance. It was the first paper published in Sand- wich, and was a neat six-column folio, " devoted to literature, science, agriculture, local and general news," and independent on all subjects. W. L. Dempster was editor and pub- lisher. He was a practical newspaper man and made an interesting paper. Notwithstanding the business men of the place patronized it liberally, at the expiration of about six months it ceased to exist. Its editor and publisher, having got deeply in debt, left the country, without bidding his friends and patrons an affectionate good-bye.
The Prairie Home and Advertiser.
HE second paper established in Sandwich had the foregoing title. Its publication was commenced Oct. 13, 1859, by Matti- son & Higbee. The paper was a four-column folio, with a border around each page. Its existence was brief.
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The Sandwich News
AS the third paper started in Sandwich. James M. Higbee was editor and pub- lisher. It was issued bi-monthly, and was a four-column folio, with border. The News was continued about five months, at which time it shared the fate of many news- paper enterprises. It is a most difficult undertaking to establish a newspaper upon a paying and profit- able basis.
The Sandwich Gazette.
AMES HIGBEE, in May, 1865, began the publication of a five-column folio sheet under the above name, which he issued weekly. A short time afterwards he associated with him in its publication James H. Sedg- wick, and, under the firm name of Higbee & Sedgwick, the paper was continued, being enlarged to a seven-column folio. On the 14th of April, 1866, James H. Furman purchased the interest of Mr. Sedgwick, and subsequently the firm of Higbee & Furman enlarged the paper to an eight-column folio. On the 3d day of October, 1868, Mr. Fur- man became sole proprietor, and continued as such until the 29th day of May, 1874, when he sold the office and good will of the paper to G. H. Robertson. Mr. Robertson continued its publication weekly as an eight-column folio but a short time, when he changed its form to a six-column quarto. As such it was continued until 1877, when it was changed to a seven-column folio, and its publication continued semi-weekly. For six years Mr. Robertson con- tinued to publish a semi-weekly paper, and then he returned to the weekly issue, and resumed the old form of an eight-column folio, its present size. The Gazette has had a prosperous career of 20 years, and in that time has always held aloft the Republican banner, advocating the principles of that party with signal ability. As a local paper, it has endeavored to advocate in a consistent manner everything that has tended to build up the city in which it has been
printed. Mr. Robertson, its editor, is a well educated man, with large experience in public life, and wields a ready pen.
De Kalb County Farmer.
URING September, 1871, the first number of the De Kalb County Farmer made its appearance, with V. Hix as editor and pro- prietor. It was a four-column quarto, the subscription price being $1 per year. For some time previous Mr. Hix had been con- tributing a series of articles to the True Republican, descriptive of farming and stock-raising in De Kalb County, with practical hints derived from experience. The articles meeting with favor by the farming com- munity, it was thought advisable to establish a paper in which subjects of interest to farmers could be treated more in detail than in the columns of a lo- cal paper. The experiment was not a success finan- cially, and the paper was discontinued at the end of one year.
The City Weekly.
A MONG the leading papers of the county is the Sycamore City Weekly. It may be said to be the outgrowth of the De Kalb County Farmer, the experience in the latter giving Mr. Hix a taste for the profession. The first number of the Weekly made its appear- ance in September, 1872. It was a six-column quarto, independent in politics, devoted mainly to local news and miscellany. Mr. Hix continued as sole proprietor for six years, when he admitted into partnership F. O. Van Galder, a practical prin- ter and an excellent workman. In 1876 the Weekly became the supporter of Republican princi- ples, for which it has continued to battle to the present time. In 1877 the form of the paper was changed to an eight-column folio, which it main- tained until August, 1879, when it was made a nine- column folio. In March, 1882, it resumed its origi- nal form of a six-column quarto. The City Weekly
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DE KALB COUNTY.
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is a model local paper, keeping abreast with the times. Few items of any importance escape the watchful eyes of its editors. Its circulation is large and it is a No. I advertising medium.
Sandwich Free Press.
ULY 16, 1873, was the date the first issue of this paper bore. Its motto was, "Home first,-the world afterward." H. F. Blood- good, a young printer, who had just entered upon his majority, and who had for several years been an employee on the Gazette, con- ceived the idea there was room for one more paper, and proposed to fill the vacancy. In his salutatory he said that with " malice toward none and charity for all," he would endeavor to give the people a paper devoted specially to home interests; that he be- lieved in speaking a good word for his town, when it could be done, and he would do it. He said further : "'Sandwich will not be able to support the second paper.'" some say ; but we believe she will, and shall test her thoroughly before we give it up. If we do not succeed, we can, with a little practice, hoe corn, quench potato bugs, draw water from Fox River (when the season is dry) for .the neighbors to wash with, and in the fall go to plowing for John Keene, of Af- ton, who assures us we can have a job. We print advertisements, local notices, etc., and our charges are not very high. We have worked at the trade for the past five years, but never acquired the knack of placing every person's advertisement at the head of the first column, nor do we expect to. We will give them all a fair show, however. Our 'better half,' like Josiah Allen, des pairingly says, 'Who'll read the paper after it is printed, Bloodgood?' We replied that we knew of three already who had promised to do so, and if the people would [follow suit we would soon have a list."
It was soon found out that Sandwich would sup- port a second paper, so Mr. Bloodgood was not com- pelled to "quench potato bugs" to support his family. The paper, under his administration, soon became quite popular, and its popularity continued until his death. On the 5th day of October, 1881, Mr. Bloodgood was caught in a revolving shaft and
crushed in a horrible manner. He lingered along until April 4, 1882, when he died from the effects of the injuries received. From a sermon by Rev. G. W. Crofts is gleaned the following :
"Henry Francis Bloodgood was born in Rochester, N. Y., Feb. 6, 1852. He came to Sandwich when 16 years of age and entered the office of the Gazette, where he worked five years. He commenced the publication of the Free Press in July, 1872. Small was its beginning, like the grain of mustard seed, but during the years as they passed it continued to grow in popular favor, until it ranked in point of circulation and editorial ability with the very best local papers in the State. This fact was acknowledged by all the editorial brotherhood throughout the State. The Free Press had not a single exchange that did not again and again speak in the highest terms of its rank, of the marked ability and taste with which it was conducted, and of the genial and generous char- acter of the man who stood at its helm. A still higher acknowledgment was the fact of other jour- nals copying many of his sparkling and piquant sayings. Few men possessed the faculty of putting things in a more condensed, telling and charming way. Some of his efforts in prose and verse would have secured favorable comment in more pretentious publications. He was original, witty and versatile."
The Free Press was continued as a six-column folio for about two years, then changed to a six-col- umn quarto and subsequently to a nine-column folio. On the death of Mr. Bloodgood the office was pur- chased by C. B. Taylor, who changed the form to a five-column quarto, running it as such for a few months, then changed it to a six-column quarto. Mr. Taylor was a man of fine ability, coming here from Urbana, Ill., where he had been engaged in newspaper work as a partner in the Herald. On re- tiring from the Free Press, he went to Danville, and for a time was on the News. He is now a Metho- dist minister, and is located at Lerna, Coles Co., Ill. Barnes & Douglas purchased the office and good- will of the paper and issued their first number Oct. 17, 1883. They are still the publishers, and print one of the best local 'papers in Northern Illinois. They are both practical printers, and, like the first editor of the paper, they believe in doing all they. can to build up their town, while at the same time trying to observe well the motto at the head of their paper to " Fear God, tell the truth, andimake money."
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DE KALB COUNTY.
Somonauk Reveille.
OMONAUK REVEILLE first made its appearance Dec. 18, 1875. It was a seven- column folio, independent in politics, with C. A. West as editor and proprietor. After the expiration of the first year the paper was changed to a five-column quarto, its present size. Mr. West continued the publication of the paper for three years, when he sold to S. D. New- ton, who since continued in its charge. The Re- veille under the administration of Mr. Newton has been a success in every particular. Having but a limited field for circulation, it has made the best use of its opportunities and has worked the field thor- oughly, and but few families in the vicinity of Somo- nauk are without the Reveille. The merchants of the place have been very liberal in advertising, show- ing a proper appreciation of the local press. Mr. Newton advocates the principles of none of the politi- cal parties now in existence, while at the same time he is free to support such men and measures as he may think best. A good local paper is what he pro- poses and does furnish his patrons.
Shabbona Express.
URING the month of May, 1876, the Shab- bona Express was commenced by Blood- good & Hunt, of the Sandwich Free Press. Mr. Hunt was the resident or local editor at Shabbona, the paper being printed at Sandwich. It was a six-column folio. At the expiration of six months Mr. Hunt sold out to W. H. Ray, of Shabbona, the publication of the paper being con- tinued by Bloodgood & Ray. This arrangement con- tinued for two years, when Mr. Ray became sole pro- prietor. For some months he had the paper printed at Paw Paw, and then at Hinckley for two years, when he purchased a press and has since printed it at home. In May, 1880, the paper was enlarged to a seven-column folio, and six months later to an eight- column folio. It was thus continued till the expira- tion of the current year, when it was changed to a five-column quarto, its present form. In June, 1882,
a Fair Haven power press was introduced, on which it is now worked. The paper is Republican in poli- tics, and, as a local newspaper, has done much to- wards building up the town and influencing public opinion. A biographical sketch of its editor is found elsewhere in this volume.
The Malta Mail.
C. NEEDHAM, as editor and proprietor, issued the first number of the Malta Mail in February, 1877. It was a five-column folio. 'Mr. Needham continued its publica- tion until November of the same year, when he sold to G. W. Morris, who for one year and a half continued as sole proprietor, when he took in one of his sons as a partner. Subsequently another son was admitted as a partner, the firm then beings G. W. Morris & Sons. In 1881 one of the sons re- tired, leaving the father and one son as publishers, under the firm name of G. W. Morris & Son. The paper has changed its size a number of times, being enlarged each time. In 1881 it was changed to a seven-column quarto, which size it yet remains. In politics, the Mail is Republican, though liberal in its views. It is a neat and well-printed sheet, and ed- ited with considerable ability.
The Hinckley Review.
AY, 1878, M. N. Tomblin commenced the publication of the Review, the first paper published at Hinckley. It was a five- column quarto, six pages, patent. He occu- pied small rooms over the present barber shop. In about six months his brother, L. E. Tomb- lin, became a partner and changed their paper to a six-column folio, half patent. With a Washing- ton hand press, a limited outfit of type, small quar- ters, and a steadfast aim for success, these two hard- working and enterprising young men struggled on for two years. On May 1, 1880, they associated with them Herbert W. Fay, and commenced operating un- der the firm name of Tomblin Bros. & Fay. The old
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press was exchanged to a rotary Nonpareil, a large amount of new type was added and the office was nioved down on the ground floor of the same build- ing, on an equat footing with other business places of Hinckley. The paper was doubled in size, and the subscription price increased to $1.25 per year. In June, 1882, Herbert W. Fay bought out the interests of his partners. On Nov. 4, 1882, he purchased the next building east of the one in which the paper was started.
On March r, 1883, the office was moved into the new and larger quarters. During all this time the proprietors have published a branch paper for Water- man, Ill., called the Leader. During the last two years the Review has adopted the plan of rejecting nearly all foreign advertising, especially patent-med- icine contracts. The plan has greatly increased its subscription and materially added to its home adver- tising patronage. At present no paper in the county has a better advertising patronage, and its circulation is not surpassed by many.
The Argus.
OVEMBER 9, r878, M. B. Castle & Son commenced the publication of the Argus, a seven-column folio. The salutatory was to the point. Among other things, the editor said: "The Argus starts with a clean record in all particulars, especially in the subscriptions, having but 'five; but, like the mustard seed the woman put in a lump of dough, these will leaven the whole lump (we quote from memory), forming a nucleus for the r,500 we are going to have. We will make but few promises, but will endeavor to do bet- . ter in performance. There is one thing, however, we are quite sure of, and that is, that the Argus has come to stay, as we heard a young lady say the other day ' you bet,' which we suppose to be the elegant method of strong assertion. We have always done our ' level best' to please everybody, and we have been remarkably successful therein. We have no doubt we shall succeed equally well in this enter- prise. But if by any chance we should not, it would grieve us sadly ; and we at this early date, and in ad- vance, beg to offer apologies and be forgiven. . They do not expect to make a better paper than all
others, and do not expect to have it free from faults or above criticism, but they do expect to have a wide- awake paper. . . . The proprietors of the Argus are both young. J. B. Castle is young in years, and M. B. Castle is young in heart ; so they may be ex- pected to say and do some foolish things ; but they are ready to promise faithfully not to repeat them, when once they see the error, and that should be a merit in this world of obstinate wrong."
On commencing its publication, the publishers used one-half foreign print, but on the 22d of March, 1879, began the printing of the entire sheet at home. The second volume of the paper was enlarged to an eight-column folio, which size is still maintained, at the same time it being all home print. During the first year, a series of personal sketches of old settlers was published, which were of much interest to its readers. The paper has been very successful, having a large circulation, and fine advertising patronge.
De Kalb County Chronicle.
ARCH 8, 1879, the first issue of the De Kalb County Chronicle made appearance. For some time the Democracy of the county were without an organ, and it was thought a favorable opportunity presented itself for starting and sustaining a paper that would advocate the principles of Jefferson and Jackson. The first number had at the head of its columns, D. W. Tyrrell & Co., publishers, and Clinton Rosette, editor. In his salutatory, the editor said : "It (the Chronicle) will advocate free trade, a uniform cur- rency, State rights and personal liberty, as being not only the ancient Democratic faith and sound consti- tutional doctrine, but as best calculated to preserve the liberties of individuals, to conduce to the pros- perity of the people, and to the Union and the Con- stitution." When first established the Chronicle was a five-column quarto. In July, following, J. F. Glid- den became sole proprietor and the paper was en- larged to a six-column quarto. Mr. Rosette was continued as editor and remains as such to the present time. Under his able management it has taken rank as one of the leading Democratic organs of Northern Illinois, and is a credit to its proprietors and to the city and county in which it is published.
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Mr. Rosette is now one of the proprietors, the firm name being J. F. Glidden & Co. The paper is all printed at home. The office of the Chronicle is one of the largest in the State outside of Chicago, having four large cylinder power presses and several job presses. A large amount of job printing is annually done, the greater part of which is for the manu- facturing firms of De Kalb.
The De Kalb Review.
EBRUARY 1, 1883, the first issue of the De Kalb Review appeared. Its publica- tion was began by H. L. Boies & Co., of Sycamore, with S. L. Graham as editor. After being issued about three months, the good will of the paper and subscription list was pur- chased by Tyrrell & Tomblin. The latter was then publishing a newspaper at Genoa, which he then suspended and removed the material of the office to De Kalb. The Review is an eight-column folio and presents a neat and creditable appearance. While its motto from the beginning has been "Inde- pendent in all things," it is yet an advocate of the principles and policy of the Republican party. D.
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