USA > Illinois > Henry County > Portrait and biographical album of Henry County, Illinois : containing full-page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county > Part 98
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He made a first-rate member of the Assembly ; had probably as much influence in it as any member of the Legislature. He made no pretentions to being a speaker, but he was what is always better in the end in a body of that kind, he was a worker ; and this and his good judgment made him an effect- ive and valuable Senator.
Serving out his term with credit, he came back to Henry County, and satisfied that he had all he wanted of politics, he closed up his affairs here and in 1872 went to Chicago, where he has since re- sided and where the opportunities for exercising his great financial talents have found full and active play.
Since in Chicago he has accumulated a great for- tune, and has owned or controlled and managed one of the important railroads entering the city.
This is a rough blocking of a sketch of `certainly no common man. Nominally a lawyer and a politi- cian, in reality a Napoleon in finance ; and while it is true a financier is working always and wholly for self, yet there are periods in the development of young communities when the daring and brain of a great man in financial affairs is a public good. He
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stirs the sluggish waters and brings health and growth where otherwise would be only stagnation and death.
Andrew Crawford will be long and not unkindly remembered by the good people of Henry County, especially his many old friends and acquaintances of Geneseo.
A quarter of a century ago came Lawyer N. C. Bates. He was a fair lawyer and had a fair success here, but with that restless Western spirit that at one time or another has moved our people from ocean to ocean, he took Greeley's advice and " went West," locating in Newton, Iowa, where he attained some eminence in his profession and died a few years ago.
S. Allen Grunder was here about 1870. Didn't ever astonish himself by extraordinary success. He, too, went West, and is probably still growing up with the country.
Whitfield Sandford was one of the early lawyers. He remained here until 1872, when he removed to Wahoo, Nebraska, where he now resides. He came to this county from Mansfield, Ohio, and resided at Geneseo. He was financially quite successful, and soon gave more attention to his rapidly increasing property than to the law practice. He started life as a harness-maker. He was a Republican and a mem- ber of the Congregational Church.
The Bar of Geneseo is the largest in the county, consisting of the following : Judge George E. Wait (see page 329), Major E. C. Moderwell (see page 244), E. C. Graves (see page 309), G. W. Shaw, F. H. McArthur, Charles Dunham and G. H. Smith.
In Cambridge are Lawyers Shepard & Marston -William H. Shepard (see page 352) and Ira D. Marston (see page 664), -- A. R. Mock (see page 279) and Judge John P. Hand.
In Galva are Thomas E. Milchrist, State's Attor- ney (see page 385), Hiram Bigelow (see page 706) and Jonas W. Olson. The latter studied in Galva with John I. Bennett, now of Chicago, who at one time was in partnership in Galva with Albert H. Veeder. Jonas W. Olson has a most interesting history, for which the reader is referred elsewhere.
In Orion are located Lawyers Charles W. McGov- ern and William M. Smith.
In Kewanee is the now oldest lawyer in the county, Levi North. (See page 593.) For some years he has mostly retired from active practice. This place was the liome of Judge J. H. Howe. Away back in 1862, M. L. Easton, of Ohio, was in the practice here. He left in 1862. At one time Lucius D. Bishop, of Ohio, was here a short time. He removed to Stark County, thence to Washington City, where he died. O. B. Ayres, now of Knoxville, Iowa, was also a resident lawyer. Charles H. Reed, who became the noted Chicago prosecuting attorney, was here and studied law witlı Howe & Reed. William C. Little, now of Wichita, studied with Judge Howe. Albinus Vance read law with Charles K. Ladd. He is now in Osceola, Neb., and ex- Governor of Nebraska. George Lay was admitted in Cambridge and located in Kewanee. E. S. Martin also read with C. K. Ladd and was admitted in 1878. He went to Highmore, Dak., and is now Clerk of the United States District Court.
The present Bar of Kewanee is Levi North, A. W. Wood, C. C. Wilson (see page 668), Charles K. Ladd, James K. Blish (see page 687) and F. S. Ros- seter (see page 596).
For very full and complete biographies of every leading attorney now in the county the reader is re- ferred to the biographical department in this book.
HENRY COUNTY.
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THE PRESS.
HE great influx of immigrants .... that began in 1852, which was the commencement of the era of railroads in Illinois and the unexampled pros- perity of the State, made the times ripe for the coming of the first newspaper and the printer with his modest little hand-press. The province of the newspaper is to guide and teach men the truth, -- point out the way that is safe for them to go. Are we not then justified in the assertion that the first coming of the dingy little country newspaper to a new com- munity is an event to be noted and commented upon? And is not its growth and spread and its well marked influences fit subjects of eager investigation? The publishers of this book would here render to the newspaper men of Henry Coun- ty a world of thanks as a mild ex- pression of their obligations for many and valued kind favors received at their hands-favors bestowed in that ready manner that could not come from any but the most disinterested and kindly friendships,
and therefore will long be remembered and warmly cherished.
The Henry County Gazette.
HE first number of the first paper issued in Henry County was published Feb. 13, 1853 - The Henry County Gazette, J. W. Eystra, editor. It was a modest little five-column folio, and showed rather a bad distribution, both of ink and subs. It excited some curi- osity with its first issue, but its support over the county was indifferent enough to discourage Eystra, and in the course of a few months the publisher was wholly ready to sell to the first bidder. He was compelled by want of funds to issue only when it was absolutely necessary to fulfill the law in the matter of the few legal ads. that were required to be published. Before the first volume was thus irregu- larly completed the publication was discontinued. About this time Kewanee was commencing its big boom, and its want was an organ. The enterprising citizens clubbed together and purchased the outfit of the Gazette and took it to Kewanee and started the Henry County Dial, with Mr. Hyatt as editor and general proprietor. Hyatt, it seems, was a restless, odd kind of a man, and he filled up his life with changes and varieties of many kinds. After re- maining in Kewanee a few months he pulled out and
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went over to Geneseo, and started the Geneseo Re- public. He bobbed around here among papers and business men, then left the county and tried Rock Island a while, and then returned to his old loves in Henry County. After a few years, marked mostly by failures, he left the county and he and his brother [invented celluloid, went East and handled their patent and manufactured the goods, and got rich. We note this exceptional case among the for- tunes of printers with the greater pleasure because of the rarity and novelty of Hyatt's varied failures and successes.
In the course of time the Henry County Gazette office materials, especially the old hand-press, has traveled to nearly every newspaper point in the county.
The Gazette arrived in Kewanee Aug. 15, 1855, and its coming was a great event in the young town. If there had been a brass band in the place it would no doubt have been called out to escort the great arrival to its new home.
Geneseo Republic.
HE first paper in Geneseo was established in 1855 by Col. James Bowie and was Democratic in politics, very modest in its editorials and still more so in its lists of sub- scribers. The fact was, the paper was not more than fairly launched upon the troubled waters when the politics of the county became in- tensely anti-Democratic and Democracy went into a quick decline-largely moribund, and has so re- mained ever since save the galvanic jerks that may be noticed around the postoffices since the late na- tional triumph of the Democratic party in the Presi- dential election.
The next paper, and now the oldest paper in the county, was the Geneseo Republic, started, as stated, by I. S. Hyatt, the first issue of which was June I, 1856. Mr. Hyatt became a bankrupt in 1858, and the property passed into the hands of assignees, James M. Allan and O. A. Turner, who continued the publication until the sale of the property by order of the court, when it passed into the hands of Merritt Munson, who was one of the able and active men
who pushed vigorously and well any enterprise he undertook. He conducted the paper until Dec. 28, 1858, when he sold to Geo. H. Lewis & Co. The new firm pushed the fortunes of the paper until June, 1862, when George A. Hobbs became the own- er. Hobbs and his partners submerged their Inde- pendent into the Republic, and moved along in good style.
Nov. 27, 1863, Adam Lieberknecht purchased, of James M. Hosford, its founder, the Union Advocate, established Oct. 1, 1861, a Republican organ, and in a short time the Republic and Advocate were con- solidated, with the stipulation that the Republic should be conducted as a Republican organ, or, in other words, the Advocate gave up its name but pre- served its party principles ; and this, it seems, per- manently settled the politics of the old, reliable Re- public, as it has remained unflinchingly Republican in politics from that day to this. In June, 1877, Mr. Lieberknecht, by purchase, became the sole proprie- tor, and as such is successfully carrying it on to fortune and fame. There are but few rural papers that excel the present Geneseo Republic. Its suc- cess from the day of Mr. Lieberknecht's connection with it, both financially and politically, has been marked and uninterrupted. Mr. L. is a born news- paper man. See biographical sketch on page 620.
The Chronicle.
HE next paper in age is the Chronicle, pub- lished at present by Chapman Brothers, who are about the youngest newspaper men in the county. W. O. and J. H. Chapman are bright and clever young men-thorough work- men in their line, and as managers aud proprie- tors possess all the secrets of success that opens for them a most promising future. Their paper is sec- ond in age and second in size of the county papers, but it is only in these respects that the Chronicle takes a second place among the country papers in this portion of Illinois, The issue of the paper of Oct. 8, 1885, is Vol. 27, No. 49, a nine-column folio, teeming with sparkling local items, well-written general editorials, and, what is most delightful to a publisher, paying advertisements.
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HENRY COUNTY.
The history of the Chronicle claims a lineal de- scent from the Gazette, started in 1853.
In the latter part of 1857 a stock company, com- posed of Judge Joseph Tillson, Dr. A. A. Dunn, V. M. Ayres and Henry W. Wells, purchased the oufit of the Galva Watchman, which was removed to Cam- bridge, and the first number of the Henry County Chronicle, an eight-column folio, was soon issued, with Dr, A. A. Dunn as editor.
In the year 1860 Messrs. L. H. Patten and U. A. Dennison leased the office, and they continued, Mr. Dunn as editor, until 1881. In that year the latter en- tered the army, and Mr. Patten purchased Mr. Den- nison's interest, assuming entire editorial control, which he held until 1866, when he was succeeded by Messrs. Everett & Casson. The latter gentleman conducted the paper until May 28, 1867, when it passed into the hands of Mr. George C. Smithe.
In March, 1878, the paper was supplied with a complete new dress and the name changed to sim- ply the Chronicle. Mr. Smithe remained in charge of the paper until Oct. 24, 1878, upon which date his valedictory appeared, and Mr. C. A. Arnold, of Bluffton, Ind., assumed editorial control. The lat- ter remained but a short time, however, and May 22, 1879, Mr. Smithe, who had been in Colorado during the winter, returned and re-purchased his paper.
On April 5, 1883, Mr. P. F. Powers, of Davenport, Iowa, who had managed the Chronicle for a few months during the absence of Mr. Smithe in Wash- ington, D. C., purchased an interest in the paper, and the firm was known as Smithe & Powers.
On Feb. 1, 1885, W. O. and J. H. Chapman pur- chased the paper from Smithe & powers, and are the present editors and proprietors. (See sketches.) The Chronicle has always been Republican in politics.
Kewanee Courier.
HE Kewanee Courier was founded in IMarch, 1876, by Dr. C. N. Whitney, an old newspaper man, former publisher of several papers in Minnesota and Illinois, and . at one time editor of the Quincy Daily Whig. He now resides at Washington, D. C., hold- ing a prominent position under the Government.
During the year 1878 the paper was managed by a business partner of Mr. Whitney's, E. H. Phelps, formerly of the Wyoming Post, and now a promin- ent real-estate and insurance agent in Kansas City. In the fall of 1879 the paper was leased by its pres- ent publishers, Chesley & Bro., printers from Ver- mont State, and January 1, 1882, was purchased by its present proprietor, T. H. Chesley. (See page 485.) It is a six-column quarto, all home print. It is and has been a stanch Republican organ, though never an "offensive partisan." It is a credit to the city and worthy the liberal patronage it enjoys, both as an advertising medium and a family newspaper.
The Independent.
HE Henry County Dial was the second paper started in the county. We have al- ready noticed that it was the office of the Gazette, taken to Kewanee, where it arrived August 15, 1855. J. H. Howe was engaged as editor for one year. Sept 13 following the office and material were sold to C. Bassett, a prac- tical printer, who assumed control of the business and mechanical management, which he retained until June 12, 1856, when he sold the office to Mr. Howe and to Mr. H. M. Patrick. Nov. 13 Mr. Howe retired from the paper, transferring his interest to Mr. Patrick, who soon afterward associated with him Mr. Oliver White, who retired on Jan. 8, 1857. Mr. Patrick was succeeded a few months later by Mr. L. D. Bishop, who published the paper some two or three years, when he was succeeded by Mr. J. E. Wheeler, one of the original founders of the Chicago Tribune. Mr. Wheeler, an estimable man and able writer, published The Dial some six or seven years, and retired in December, 1866, on account of failing health. From the retiracy of Mr. Wheeler, The Dial changed hands at short intervals, passing through the hands of Oliver White, Hiram Wyatt (associated with him for a short time a Mr. Shurtleff) and Geo. W. Wilson, who sold it after a brief proprietorship to N. W. Fuller, who changed the name to the Kewanee Radical. Mr. Fuller be- came the owner of the paper probably early in 1869, and continued its publication until in May or June,
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1870, when he failed, and the paper ceased to exist.
The material of the office was purchased by C. Bassett, and on July 1 commenced the publication of his present paper, under the title of the Kewanee Advertiser, but which six months later he changed to The Independent, which he has published continu- ously to the present time without missing a single issue. Mr. Bassett is the oldest printer and editor in this part of the State, having commenced his ap- prenticeship in the town of Towanda, Pa., in March, 1833, and since March, 1840, has almost continu- ously been connected with some paper as editor and publisher. (See page 650.)
The Galva Union.
HE Galva Union was founded by Benj. W. Seaton, in [862. In 1864 he sold the of- fice to Eric Johnson, who ran it about six months, and then it passed to John I. Ben- nett. He had J. M. Edson as editor and manager until 1867, when Seaton again en- tered the office taking Edson's place, where he re- mained until the office was sold to N. W. Fuller, who conducted its fortunes for one year, when Eric Johnson again became the owner and proprietor. He at once changed the name to The Republican, but under his second management it again soon went into a decline, and ceased to exist, leaving the am- bitious town without a paper.
The Journal was started in 1870, by Mr. Ward, on the ruins of the Galva Republican, and sometimes it flourished, and more, sometimes it didn't. It was transferred to Mr. Young, and he finally "Greeleyed" and "took his press and went West," settling down among the lively and festive prairie dogs of Kansas.
In the spring of 1868 B. W. Seaton commenced the publication of The Prairie Chief, in Galva, where he prospered for three months, and then moved the concern to Toulon, Stark County, and published the Stark County Democrat. In 1871 the concern returned to its native county, settled in Cam- bridge, again became The Prairie Chief, where it and its founders are to-day, prosperous, contented, in-
dependently Democratic, and growing in popularity and wide-spread influence.
Mr. B. W. Seaton is the veteran newspaper man of the county, a thorough practical printer, and a strong and able writer. See his biography in the biographical part of this work, page 528.
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Henry County News.
HE Henry County News, of which Henry L. Kiner (see page 257) is editor and sole proprietor, is published at Geneseo. The material for the office was purchased in Jan- uary, 1874, by H. V. Fisher and H. M. Bel- vel. Fisher is still a citizen of Geneseo, and in the hardware business. Belvel wandered into Io- wa, published several papers and finally went to sea. Fisher & Belvel got out the first issue on January 16, 1874. The outfit was then sold to Henry L. Kiner. The latter sold a third interest to his broth- er, Samuel R. Kiner, and a third interest to John Christian, an Englishman, who had recently come from London. Within the first year H. L. Kiner and Christian bought the interest of S. R. Kiner. The firm was known as Christian & Kiner for four years. Kiner then bought Christian's interest. The latter, after a short time, went to Chicago, where he is now engaged in business on West Madison Street. S. R. Kiner is in Washington, D. C., and is a clerk in the War Department.
The paper, which is now (1885) in its twelfth vol- ume, has been a successful publication financially, after the first two years, which were full of thorns and briars. A half dozen preceding papers had ut- terly perished from the face of the earth, taking their departure from Geneseo. They were conducted in the main by practical printers and experienced writers. H. L. Kiner, who has been from the be- ginning the leading spirit of the paper, commenced its publication when a mere boy of 22 years of age. He had previously had a little experience in writing for the press, but of the practical workings of a newspaper office knew nothing whatever. He didn't know which end of the types the letters were on, or which end of the press the papers went in ; but he had a large share of self-reliance, and with
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that element of strength, proceeded to hammer away at the task of making for himself a destiny, and a permanent place in newspaperdom for the Henry County News. His failure was predicted by everybody ; his success was believed in by nobody- except himself. Mr. Kiner's case is one in which the many were wrong, the one was right.
In the spring of 1883 Mr. Kiner sold the paper to H. J. Eaton, whose previous occupation was that of hardware merchant. Mr. Kiner went to Peoria, and conducted the city department of the Peoria Daily Journal until the fall of 1883, when he was obliged to return to Geneseo, owing to the want of success attending the administration of Mr. Eaton, and took the paper off the latter's hands to prevent its suspension. Under Mr. Kiner's management the paper at once resumed its old character and attained its previous success. On returning to the publica- tion of the News Mr. Kiner added largely to the material of the office, putting in a first-class outfit of steam machinery. It is now one of the best equipped offices in Western Illinois.
The Galva Standard.
ALVA Standard was established in August, 1881, by Messrs. Frank M. Riggen and Thomas F. McKane. In politics it is Greenback, and it ably advocates the princi- ples of that party. It is a 48-column, 6-page paper. One side was printed in Chicago for a time. Upon the Ist of November, 1881, Mr. Mc- Kane retired from the firm, Mr. Riggen conducting the business alone, and employing B. H. Galleher as editor. In April, 1882, E. E. Eagan was engaged as editor, and discharged the duties of that - position until November, 1883, when T. F. McKane again " put on the harness." February 1, 1883, McKane, purchased an interest in the paper, and since that time has had the entire management of the office. In August, 1883, the size of the paper was changed to a 5-column quarto, and is now printed entirely at home on a Henry cylinder press. The body type used is bourgeois, brevier and minion. The office
enjoys a very fair advertising and job patronage. The Standard office is located in the basement of the Olson block, which was fitted up especially for it. The personnel of the office is Riggen & McKane, proprietors ; T. F. McKane (see page 387), editor ; Carrie West and Mattie Husted, compositors ; Jay Johnson, apprentice. May it live long and prosper in its " Greenback " harvests.
The Galva News.
ALVA News was established in 1879, by Beall Brothers, Asa and Marion, of Wyo- ming, Ill. The first number was issued from a Washington hand-press, October 18 of that year, and was a five-column quarto. The paper was published as a five-column quarto until March 20, 1880, when it was enlarged to a seven-column folio, and published semi-weekly. On Jan. 27, 1881, the paper was enlarged to a quarto or eight-page paper, which form and size it has main- tained ever since.
Some time during the year 1880 the subscription list of the Woodhull Enterprise was purchased by Beall Bros., and that paper merged into the News. Fred. B. Beall, who had bought an interest in the concern, sold his interest in the same March 10, 1881, Robert H. Magner, of Woodhull, Ill., and the firm to name became Beall & Magner. This firm sold the paper Sept. 8, 1881, to J. F. Boyd and Wade Errett, and the paper was owned and published by Boyd & Errett till Sept. 21, 1882, when Errett sold his inter- est to Thomas R. Boyd. Boyd & Brother published the paper until April 14, 1883, when they sold the office and subscription list to E. E. Fitch, for eight years Superintendent of Galva schools, who is the present editor and proprietor.
The politics of the News has been from the first stalwart Republican, but it endeavors to treat its opponents fairly and with courtesy. Since its estab- lishment a small job press, and an eight-column two revolution cylinder press have been added, and the value of the material of the office has been doubled. For sketch of Mr. Fitch, the editor, see page 366.
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HENRY COUNTY.
Local Reporter.
NE of the most interesting and valuable pa- pers of Henry County is the Local Reporter. Mrs. Hannah M. Bryan is editor and pro- prietor (see page 228), and her son, Oscar D. Bryan, is the manager and local editor. It was started in the spring of 1880. Mrs. Bryan is the only lady newspaper publisher ever in the county, and her success is such as to encour- age ladies in the future to enter this field of industry and possible great honors. Mrs. B. is the possessor of a pointed pen, writes poetry fluently, and through all her prose and poetry is a true vein of genuine wit.
The Local Reporter, as its name indicates, is de- voted to home affairs mostly, is independent in poli- tics; and until the ladies can vote we shall not blame Mrs. B. for keeping her bright and cheery little pa- per an independent, if not an indifferent looker-on in the boiling cauldron of politics. It is a five-column quarto, and every column in its pages is filled with evidences of financial and general prosperity.
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The Orion Times.
SPLENDID four-page, seven-column paper is the Orion Times, fresh and newsy, and seems to be fairly well patronized by the home merchants as an advertising medium. The paper is now (October, 1885) in the eighth volume, and is exactly eight and one-half years old. William A. Bolles (see page 427) the edi- tor and proprietor, is an enterprising newspaper man, and his efforts should be fully appreciated.
The Orion Vidette first came to Orion in 1875, un- der the care of Dr. Chaffee. In a short time Ludi & Bolles bought the office, and changed the name to its present title. In 1883 N. J. Ludi retired from
the concern, and Mr. Bolles became sole owner and proprietor. The paper is devoted to the local affairs of the county and the best interests of Orion, and receives, as it merits, a fair and liberal support from the people.
The Woodhull Gazette.
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