Table of Contents

 

 

HISTORY OF PUBLISHING IN KENDALL COUNTY, ILLINOIS

 

By Elmer Dickson

THE NEWSPAPERS

Bald Hornet

Not much his known about the Bald Hornet published at Oswego. One version of its history is the paper was issued for a short time in 1855 with only one or two issues being printed. A. P. L. Dumpling was supposed to have been the editor.¹ No corroborating evidence was found to support this time frame. The compiler was concerned about the publication date as the Kendall County Courier was being published in Oswego during the same period.

According to Rev. Hicks the Bald Hornet was published in 1872. Hick's version seems more plausible.²

Fox River Enterprise Fox River Enterprise
Licensing: No Known Restrictions

The Lee Brothers, who owned a printing firm in Newark, launched the Fox River Enterprise sometime in 1915.The Lee Brothers borrowed heavily to launch their enterprise, and chattel mortgages, totaling nearly $2,000, were outstanding against the Newark-Millbrook printing company. Apparently the financial burden was too heavy and the property was seized by the sheriff and sold at public auction to satisfy creditor's claims.³

Fox Valley Sentinel In July 1980, the Oswego Ledger and Fox Valley Sentinel were consolidated and called the Ledger-Sentinel. The last issue of the Fox Valley Sentinel was published July 24, 1980.
Licensing: Fair Use

The Fox Valley Sentinel was founded by Oswego native David E. Dreier in 1974. Initially, the weekly was put together in a home in Boulder Hill and served Boulder Hill, Montgomery and Oswego. Subsequently it was published in a basement office on South Main Street in Oswego.

Ford Lippold launched the Oswego Ledger in 1949. When Boulder Hill began to grow, Lippold expanded his coverage to include Boulder Hill as well. The Fox Valley Sentinel and Oswego Ledger basically competed for the same local news and readership.

Following the Farren's purchase of the Kendall County Record in 1973, a period of consolidation occurred in the newspaper business in Kendall County. In June 1979, the Farren's purchased the Oswego Ledger from David Krahn. In July 1980, they purchased the Fox Valley Sentinel from David Dreier.

The Oswego Ledger and Fox Valley Sentinel were consolidated and called the Ledger-Sentinel. The last issue of the Fox Valley Sentinel was published July 24, 1980. Roger Matile, who had been a columnist for the Fox Valley Sentinel was named editor of the Ledger-Sentinel. See Oswego Ledger and Ledger-Sentinel.

Kendall County Clarion Kendall County Clarion
Licensing: No Known Restrictions

The first newspaper in Wilmington, Will County, Illinois was the Wilmington Herald established in 1854 by D. H. Berdine and the citizens of Wilmington. About a year after the paper was organized, R. W. Waterman gained control of the newspaper, and induced William H. Clark William H. Clark
Licensing: No Known Restrictions to move from Michigan to Wilmington to edit and publish the paper. Clark ran the Wilmington Herald for three or four years, eventually acquiring the controlling interest.

In1859 he moved the office, press, and type, to Bristol, Illinois and founded the Kendall County Clarion.⁴ The paper was a four-page, six-column Democratic paper and supported Stephen A. Douglas for president. A few months after the paper was initiated, Clark moved the office across the river to Yorkville.

In August 1861 Editor Clark enlisted in Company E, 36^th Infantry Regiment, Illinois Volunteers. Upon leaving Yorkville, he sold the paper to Titus Howe who became its publisher with S. H. Jameson, editor. It is unknown exactly when the paper was discontinued but it ceased publication sometime in 1861. The last known issue was dated October 5, 1861.

Kendall County Courier Kendall County Courier
Licensing: No Known Restrictions

The Kendall County Courier, published at Oswego was the first newspaper of importance in Kendall County. Before coming to Oswego, Hector S. (H. S.) Humphrey was the owner of the Du Page Observer at Naperville, Illinois. In July 1852, H. S. Humphrey founded the Kendall County Courier and served as its editor and publisher. Volume 1, No. 9 was dated September 22, 1852. Under Humphrey's leadership, the Kendall County Courier was presented as neutral in politics. The paper's banner proclaimed it was “An Independent Family Newspaper.” The original paper consisted of four pages, each page six columns wide, and was published every Wednesday.⁵,⁶,⁷

In May 1855, Humphrey sold the paper to Abraham Sellers, but continued to manage the newspaper. Mr. Sellers increased the amount of printing material in the office allowing him to provide a wider range of job printing.⁸

By August 1855, Sellers had decided to sell the paper. He placed the following advertisement in the Kendall County Courier. "A Rare Chance! The undersigned desires to engage in other business, and offers the Kendall County Courier office for sale. The office is located in the pleasant and thriving village of Oswego, the Shire town of Kendall County (the county seat.) The Courier has a subscription list, which will compare favorably with other country papers. It possesses a good advertising patronage, with a good share of job work. The county printing is done at this office, and this being the only paper in the county, has a patronage of legal advertising unsurpassed. The present volume will close on the 5^th of September. That time will be suitable for taking possession. Terms reasonable. For further particulars contact A. Sellers, Oswego, Kendall County, Illinois."⁹

In September 1855, H. S. Humphrey repurchased the paper from Mr. Sellers and continued to publish the paper until sometime in the winter of 1855-6 when he sold it to William P. Boyd.

When William P. Boyd purchased the Kendall County Courier, Alexander R. Niblo, of Newark, was appointed editor. With the transfer of ownership, the Kendall County Courier became a Democratic paper and supported James Buchanan for President. Its banner proclaimed that it was “a political and family newspaper, devoted to literature, agriculture, commerce, local and general intelligence, morality, science, foreign news, markets, etc.”

After the Presidential election of 1856, the paper was closed and its equipment sold to an Iowa printer. Later, the printing press found its way back to Illinois and was used for a time by John R. Marshall to publish the Kendall County Record.

A number of issues of the Kendall County Courier published between June 1, 1853 (Vol., 1, No. 45) and April 9, 1856 (Vol. 4, No.28) have been microfilmed but the series is incomplete. Microfilmed issues start May 9, 1855 with Vol. 3 No. 36 and end January 16, 1856 with Vol. 4 No. 15. Microfilm copies are available via interlibrary loan from the Illinois State Historical Library.¹⁰ The Little White School Museum in Oswego holds some issues of The Kendall County Courier published in 1856.

Kendall County Free Press

H. S. Humphrey founded the Kendall County Courier, which had been an "Independent" paper. When he sold the paper to William P. Boyd, it became a Democratic paper.

In the spring of 1856, local Republicans desired a paper to promote their views. Some of the leading men in the county called a meeting to discuss founding a Republican newspaper. They decided to establish the Kendall County Free Press, which was also known as the Oswego Free Press, and employed H. S. Humphrey to edit and publish it.¹¹ Subscribers were sought, advertising and job work solicited. Enough money was advanced for subscriptions and job work to cover about two-thirds of the cost of material needed to start the paper. With the money in hand, the material and equipment needed was purchased. The paper was published weekly in Oswego and soon became an active voice in the campaign of 1856.

A number of issues published between July 20, 1859 (Vol. 3, No. 44) and May 13, 1863 (Vol. 7, No. 33) have been microfilmed. The series is incomplete, but microfilm copies are available via interlibrary loan from the Illinois State Historical Library.¹²The Little White School Museum in Oswego holds some issues of the Kendall County Free Press published in 1856-7.

Kendall County Journal

Abraham Sellers Jr., founded the Kendall County Journal at Plano, Illinois. Volume 1, No. 1, was published December 4, 1856. The Kendall County Journal only lasted a few months. Its fate was sealed with the financial panic of 1857.

Some microfilmed copies of the paper exist. The last surviving issue on microfilm, Volume I, No. 16, is dated March 4, 1857.¹³

Abraham Sellers, Jr. left Illinois and publishedthe Waubansee County News in Alma, Kansas. In 1873, he was elected to the Kansas Assembly and became the second former Kendall County newsman serving in the Assembly.¹⁴

Kendall County Journal

In December 1890, a second newspaper called the Kendall County Journal made its appearance in Newark. The paper was edited by N. A. Burnham and Martin L. Fuller, and was devoted to the interests of Newark and vicinity.¹⁵

The editor, N. A. Burnham, was one of the owners of the Sheridan Gazette, and Martin Fuller was a resident of Newark. The paper had an office in Newark, but was edited and published at Sheridan.¹⁶

In March 1891, Martin Fuller sold his interest to N. A. Burnham and his partner, Mr. Young of Sheridan, and retired from the Kendall County Journal.¹⁷

The Kendall County Journal ceased publication April 1, 1891.¹⁸

Kendall County News Kendall County News
Licensing: No Known Restrictions Kendall County News
Licensing: No Known Restrictions

In 1877, Richard Marmaduke "Dick" Springer and Callie D. M. Springer founded the Kendall County News at Plano. The paper was initially a semi-weekly and eventually became a weekly. The Springers started its predecessor, the Yorkville News, in 1872. The first issue of the latter paper appeared April 2, 1872. See Yorkville News.

The Springers were interesting people, particularly Dick. His life story would make a fascinating tale in itself. Callie was an active partner in the newspaper, generations ahead of the time when women played active roles in the management of their affairs. In addition to being a very competent person she was reputed to be a lovely person, in all respects.

The Yorkville News and the Kendall County Record were competing in the same market. Market limitations worked a financial hardship on both papers. The Springers experienced serious financial problems while going toe to toe with their competition and in 1877 moved their paper to Plano hoping to find a better market. The first issue of the Kendall County News published in Plano, was printed June 9, 1877.¹⁹

In December 1878, Judson Moses "Jud" Marley, editor and publisher of the Millington Enterprise, and C. A. West purchased the Kendall County News from Dick and Callie Springer. Jud continued to publish the Millington Enterprise while serving as one of the editors and publishers of the Kendall County News. C. A. West, who was 29 years of age, became the senior editor of the Kendall County News.

C. A. West began his newspaper career as correspondent of the Sandwich Free Press. In 1875, he established the Somonauk Reveille, and his political editorials supported the Greenback cause. When he purchased a half interest in the Kendall County News, he sold the Somonauk Reveille to S. D. Newton. Shortly after his arrival in Plano, C. A. West died unexpectedly February 12, 1879.²⁰

In July 1880, Alfred Cook became part of the editorial staff of the Kendall County News.²¹

In September 1880, Jud hired his brother, Frank Marley E., to help run the Kendall County News.²²

"The Kendall County News had been a Democratic, Greenback, and Independent newspaper. In January 1881 it became a Republican newspaper.²³

By September 23, 1881, an interest in the Kendall County News had been sold to Alfred Cook, and the firm was called Marley & Cook. In March 1882, Jud's brother, Frank E. Marley purchased Jud's interest in the newspaper as well as the Millington Enterprise. The statement of ownership of the Kendall County News listed Cook and Marley as proprietors. Cook continued to serve as editor of the paper until September 1883 when he became a professor at West Chester University at West Chester, Pennsylvania. At this time Frank and his wife Effie M. became the sole proprietors by purchasing Cook's half interest in the paper.²⁴

"The Plano News [Kendall County News] came out last week enlarged and greatly improved in appearance. Frank Marley is a hard worker and doing the best he can to make a good newspaper. The citizens of Plano should support his endeavor."²⁵

In September 1883, Jud Marley launched the Plano Press in direct competition with his brother Frank. In the September 13, 1883 issue of the Kendall County News, Frank E. Marley published the following editorial. "Last Saturday the Plano Press, conducted by J. M. Marley, made its first publication. Now from the innocent appearance (it tries to make) a person would think that it was well worthy of patronage. But after the public learns the true state of affairs, we will let them judge for themselves whether they should bestow their assistance upon such an institution.

One year ago last March (1882), J. M. Marley was publishing the Kendall County News with his partner Alfred Cook. Things in the firm were not of the most pleasant nature at the time. Jud came to us and urged us to buy his interest in the office. He said he was tired of the business. He indicated he needed to look after his position in the mail services which needed more of his time than he was able to give while connected with the paper.²⁶ Furthermore, he said he would do everything in his power to assist us with the paper. He gave his word and honor that he would never start another paper in Plano as long as we were running the [Kendall County] News. We did not want to purchase the paper at that time for several reasons. One being, he was asking one-third more than the office was really worth. However, he continued to express his eagerness to sell the paper. Finally, with the consideration of a written agreement we purchased his interest. Below we give the contract, which was made out with the bill of sale.

Plano, Ills, March 15, 1882.

"With the consideration that F. E. Marley purchases my undivided half interest in the News office, I hereby promise and agree that I will not injure in any manner the Kendall County News." Signed: J. M. Marley

Now with all his promises and agreements, he has the audacity to come to Plano, set up an opposition paper, and tells his confidential friends, that he is coming here just to injure the Kendall County News.

Last spring²⁷ J. M. Marley purchased the Sheridan Independent, a paper that was well patronized, which the citizens of Sheridan wished to succeed, and remain in that place. There was no other paper in town and they did not wish to be without one. But no, J. M. Marley did not want to run a paper where he thought he could not injure anyone else that was in the same business. He chose to move that office to Plano where there is no room for two papers.

With all his displays and threatening we do not feel alarmed. We feel that we are able to survive with the [Kendall County] News in spite of anything that J. M. Marley is capable of doing. As the businessmen have assured us that they intend to stand by our paper in the future, as they have in the past, it is most likely that the [Kendall County] News "will still live."

The above statements are facts, those that we are willing to swear by. We have refrained from saying anything in our paper about J. M. Marley heretofore when we were advised to do so. However, he is now infringing upon our rights too much for us to sit still and not respond.

We do not intend to exhaust our readers by any newspaper controversy with him for we don't consider anything that may appear in that sheet worthy of notice. We will take the old motto: "Consider the source from whence it came, and let it pass."

We publish this article because we feel it our duty to do so and let the people of Kendall County know under what circumstances, J. M. Marley is trying to run another paper in Plano." Frank E. Marley, editor.²⁸

In 1886, the format of the Kendall County News and Millington Enterprise was changed from a nine column, four page format to a six column, eight page format. The latter gave the paper 48 columns compared to the previous 36 columns allowing more space for both advertising and news.²⁹

In July 1887, Frank Davis Lowman, who had worked for the Aurora Beacon and Somonauk Reveille, was hired as the foreman of the Kendall County News office. Frank had considerable experience in the printing business, especially in job printing. In 1889 Frank left the Kendall County News to manage the Hinckley Review. In March 1891, he returned to the Kendall County News.

The October 20, 1887 issue listed F. E. Marley editor and proprietor of The Kendall County News and Millington Enterprise with Effie M. Marley, (Frank's wife) assistant local editor. The paper was then being issued on Thursday mornings and printed by steam power.

In 1891, Frank E. Marley decided he was ready for a change of pace. Apparently, the Marley brothers had patched up their differences and Frank sold the Kendall County News, his printing plant and ultimately his home in Plano to his Jud.

He published the following article in the Kendall County News. "With this issue, we close our connections with the Kendall County News, after a career of eleven years. Our health and a desire for a new occupation are the two great reasons why we surrender our much beloved and prosperous business. We do so with pleasure, in anticipation of a rest and change, but also with a deep feeling of regret in leaving our friends, our well-equipped office and neat and inviting sanctum. Something we did not have when we commenced our newspaper career.

Our successor, and the new proprietor of the News, J. M. Marley, is well known to the citizens of Plano and Kendall County. He is an old newspaperman, thoroughly acquainted with journalism in every department. He is an able writer, enterprising, and a regular hustler who has the cash to back him. We kindly ask our old patrons to give the same liberal patronage to the News, in the future, they have in the past…."³⁰

When the ownership changed, John Marshall wrote, "Frank Marley has turned over the office of the Plano News to his brother Jud. We are sorry to see Frank leave the office. He has been a very successful publisher and a pleasant neighbor. He is still in Plano but will probably go elsewhere. Frank gave Jud a fine endorsement, saying he is not only a competent man but "has the cash to back him." Something few country editors can brag about. We wish Frank a happy vacation."³¹

When Jud returned to the Kendall County News he complemented the city of Plano for its industry and the thrift of its citizens and mapped out his plan for the newspaper. The paper was to be non-political with an emphasis on local affairs. He planned to speak out for morality and religion and vote his own political beliefs while allowing others to do the same³²

Frank and Effie Marley didn't stay out of the newspaper business very long. In May 1892, the Marleys purchased the Sandwich Free Press.³³ Mr. Owen, the owner, announced the paper had been sold to Frank E. and Effie M. Marley of Plano, who would take possession June 1, 1892.³⁴ Mr. Owen owned a newspaper in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin and returned to that city.

Frank made a number of improvements in the Sandwich Free Press but experienced some health issues. In October 1892, Frank and Effie sold the Sandwich Free Press to William Deacon of Aurora who took charge immediately.³⁵

After publishing the Millington Enterprise and the Kendall County News, Jud Marley obtained a good position with the Plano Manufacturing Company. When Jud repurchased the Kendall County News he was not involved in the day to day management but leased the paper to others. In about 1893-4, the Plano Manufacturing Company moved its offices to West Pullman in Chicago. To keep his job, Jud and his and wife had to move to West Pullman.³⁶

When he left Plano, Jud leased the [Kendall County] News to Frank D. Lowman who became editor and publisher who continued to hold these positions until Jud sold the paper to Edgar Wade Faxon. The sale was a good one for Jud who sold the building and lot for $1,500, and the printing plant for $3,000.³⁷ Faxon who had edited the Amboy Journal, at Amboy, Illinois, for three years was an experienced newsman. Harry Alcorn, an employee of the Kendall County News was retained and Mr. Frank, of Somonauk was hired to help run the paper.³⁸

When the paper was sold to Mr. Faxon, Frank Lowman apparently was pushed out. Lowman had traveled to Washington, DC for a few days to watch the opening of Congress. When he returned he learned he was no longer publisher of the Kendall County News. Supposedly, Lowman had leased the office from Mr. Marley until July 1, 1896. Lowman found it necessary to obtain a writ of replevin to retrieve some of the material, which he said he had purchased.³⁹

The Lisbon Comet was first published in February 1896, and was published and printed in the offices of the Kendall County News, in Plano.

From February 13, 1896 to March 5, 1896, E. W. Faxon leased the Kendall County News and Lisbon Comet to E. C. Troll and Charles Powers, employees of the two papers. Beginning with the March 12, 1896, the two Faxon papers were leased to E. C. Troll, Charles Powers and Mr. Schneider. The paper's banners proclaimed, E. W. Faxon & Co. Proprietors, Troll, Powers, & Schneider Lessees. The last issue published under this arrangement was May 7, 1896.

As of May 14, 1896, the Kendall County News and Lisbon Comet were leased to Joseph A. Adams. Both papers were Republican papers.⁴⁰

Charles Powers, one of the former managers of the Lisbon Comet, continued to work for Joseph Adams until March 1897. At that time he went to work for the daily Dixon Sun as foreman of the Sun's composing room.⁴¹

In 1898, it was rumored that Mr. Adams was experiencing some financial problems. August 3, 1898, Edgar W. Faxon leased the Kendall County News and Lisbon Comet to Mr. Goodyear and Mr. Scott from Paw Paw, Illinois, who took possession immediately. Joseph A. Adams, who had leased the papers from Mr. Faxon objected to this rather abrupt change and began a law suit. Apparently a settlement was arranged and Mr. Adams left the papers.⁴²

Beginning with the August 17, 1898 issue, Edgar W. Faxon's brother George S. Faxon became the owner of the Kendall County News. In 1908 George's son, Orson E. Faxon joined him in the management of the paper. The first issue under George S. Faxon & Son, publishers was June 17, 1908. Until George's death, June 18, 1848, the business was conducted as a partnership between the two. After George's death the paper continued to be conducted under the banner George S. Faxon & Son, Publishers, until Orson and his wife Jessie Faxon retired.

In June 1952, Orson E. Faxon and Jessie Faxon sold the newspaper to Howard J. Pinc and Jeanne H. Pinc who became the publishers and editors. The first issue of the Kendall County News under the Pinc's ownership was published July 2, 1952. The corporate entity established was the Kendall County Printing and Publishing Company.

December 5, 1963, the name of the Kendall County News was changed to News-Press. The name was changed back to Kendall County News October 15, 1964.

In October 1973, the Pincs sold the Kendall County News to Kenneth A. Winston and Janice Payne Winston of Sandwich. A statement of ownership was filed October 1, 1973 for the Kendall County News. The Winstons were listed as owners, Kenneth A. Winston, publisher and James M. Sweigert, Batavia, Illinois, general manager and editor. Sweigert had been advertising director of the Batavia Herald for the previous five years.

The last issue of the Kendall County News was published October 31, 1974. With volume 102, issue 1, November 6, 1974 issue, the Kendall County News and the Sandwich Free Press were combined and called the Plano-Sandwich News-Press. The statement of ownership indicated that David Davidson and Kenneth A. Winston were co-publishers. Kenneth A. Winston was named editor and general manager. The consolidation was made possible by the sale of the Kendall County News by Janice Winston and Kenneth Winston to Hometown Publishing Co. Winston was half owner and general manager of Hometown Publishing Co., publisher of the Sandwich Free Press.

The Kendall County News, under different banners, had been in existence for 102 year. The Sandwich Free Press had served the Sandwich community for 101 years. Its founder and first owner, H. F. Bloodgood, who continued to publish the paper for eight years, published the first issue of what was to become the Sandwich Free Press July 16, 1873. The paper had eight different owners during the first 25 years of its life, including Frank E. and Effie Marley. In 1905, Frank D. Lowman, formerly with the Kendall County News, and other papers, became the publisher of the Sandwich Free Press. Lowman held that position for 21 years before selling the paper to Home Publishing Co. of Chicago in 1926. The Sandwich Argus purchased the Sandwich Journal in the early 1900s. In October 1918, the Sandwich Free Press purchased these two papers.

The Plano-Sandwich News-Press was to serve the communities of Plano and Sandwich equally. At the time of the consolidation, many people subscribed to both papers. With the change, news about both towns could be carried in a single newspaper. The owners hoped the consolidation would permit an increase in the depth of news coverage in both communities. Their goal was to become the basic source of news and information relating to Plano and Sandwich. Their intention was to "remain a distinctive newspaper that reflected the life of Plano, Sandwich and the surrounding area." They continued to maintain offices in both Plano and Sandwich.⁴³

January 7, 1976, a statement of ownership was filed indicating the paper was devoted to the interests of the people of Plano and Sandwich, Illinois and the surrounding area of Kendall, De Kalb, and LaSalle Counties. The Hometown Publishing Co. published the Plano-Sandwich News-Press every Wednesday. They also published the Leland Times, Marseilles Press, Somonauk Reveille, and Waterman Enquirer. David Davidson and Kenneth Winston were listed as co-publishers, Donald S. Bickel, editor and general manager and Geri Ziemba, managing editor. By June 9, 1976, Joe Grippando had become general manager and Randy Meline, editor.

On June 16, 1976 the name of the Plano-Sandwich News-Press was changed to Tri-County Today. Tri-County Today was formed by consolidating the Plano-Sandwich News-Press, Leland Times, Somonauk Reveille, and Waterman Enquirer. The corporate name was Tri-County News.⁴⁴

A significant number of issues of the Kendall County News have survived and are available on microfilm from the Illinois State Historical Library, Springfield, Illinois.

In addition to these issues the Kendall County Historical Society Library holds two series of the actual newspaper. While the series are not complete, the issues held by the Society run from June 1882 to June 1883 and June 1900 to June 1901.

Kendall County Press

On June 4, 1884 Charles A. Campbell of Lockport launched the Kendall County Press at Oswego.⁴⁵ The second number, for June 11, 1884, appeared on time.⁴⁶ The third number for June 18, 1884 did not appear.⁴⁷

Kendall County Record Kendall County Record
Licensing: No Known Restrictions

The Kendall County Record was found by John Redman Marshall at Yorkville. In August 1852, John started his career as a printer in the office of the Chicago Evening Journal as a "printer’s devil." After that he was employed on the Chicago Tribune and other newspapers. When the Civil War began John was working in Dubuque, Iowa. He immediately left for Chicago and tried to enlisted for a two-year period. His first and second attempts to get to the front were too slow, but with a third attempt he was taken by the Sturgis Rifles, a company equipped and financed by a Chicago gentleman of that name.

Following his discharge in 1863 he returned to Chicago and obtained a position in S. P. Rounds' printing office. Mr. Round’s business also included buying and selling new and used printing presses and type.

When the county seat moved from Oswego to Yorkville, John’s mother who was living on what was known as the Louis Bornemann farm on the south side of Long Grove, wrote that the prospects for a successful printing and publishing business in Yorkville were good.

John’s financial resources were limited but heard Mr. Rounds had obtained an old Washington hand press and worn type, and was willing to sell it cheap. Mr. Rounds sold him the press and type for $500, told him to take the material, pay down what we could and pay the balance when we had it. John had $150 in a savings bank and borrowed $50 from his brother Nicholas, paid $200 down and gave a six month note for the balance.⁴⁸ When he left S. P. Rounds, he was earning eighteen dollars a week and had his final paycheck coming. When John started for Yorkville he had $21 in his pocket. The freight, getting the equipment and supplies hauled from Bristol Station to Yorkville and moved into rented rooms cost $17.00. While John had twelve years experience as a job printer, by his own account, he lacked experience as a newsman.

The first office of the Kendall County Record was located upstairs in the building located at the southwest corner of Bridge Street and Hydraulic Avenue in Yorkville owned by Crooker and Hobbs.⁴⁹ John hired his brother Hugh Rice Marshall and a young “printer’s devil” named Charles B. Winter to help get out the paper. The first issue, consisting of 300 copies of the Kendall County Record was pulled off by hand and published May 7, 1864. John set all the type used in early issues of the Record except for some prepared patent medicine advertising. He continued to set all of the type until he had adequately trained his brother Hugh and Charles Winters to do the work.

John Marshall was generous in his praise for those who helped when he was struggling to establish the Record. "To Mr. Crooker we owe much of our success in publishing the Record. He aided us more when we first started here than any man in the county. He furnished rooms over his store at a nominal rent, and found his tenant a house in Bristol (North Yorkville.) In a hundred ways he has given us aid and comfort. Frank Hobbs, too, is a wide-awake businessman. We will not forget their kindness to our paper." ⁵⁰

By October 1, 1866, Hugh R. held an ownership interest in the Record. In May 1868, Hugh R. was named editor the Plano Mirror published by the Kendall County Record.

In 1868, a one-story brick building, 22 by 40 feet with a ten foot high ceiling, was built for the Record office on the east side of Bridge Street. The building was built by Samuel Atkinson of Bristol for a little over $800.The original building remains part of the paper’s office today.⁵¹

William M. Haigh played a pivotal role in John's success. After some initial lack of direction, John began to think of the Record as a county paper as opposed to a newspaper for Yorkville and vicinity. John attributed this idea and direction to Elder Haigh who advised him that if he was to succeed, he needed to make the Record pre-eminently a county paper devoted to county items and interests. He advised him to obtain correspondents from each town to submit items of local interest such as marriages, deaths, church news, school news, property transactions, etc., that would interest the people. Once he adopted the philosophy that the paper should be a county rather than a Yorkville paper, his success began to grow.⁵²

Dr. Myron Hopkins was the first subscriber of the Kendall County Record paying John $1.50. When the Record began, it was a sheet 22 by 32 inches in size with 24 columns. In 1866 the size was increased to 24 by 36 inches with 28 columns. In May 1872 the size was again increased to 26 by 40 inches with 32 columns.⁵³ Over the years the Record grew. It grew from the hand setting of type to a Simplex-typesetting machine. The next step up was a Junior Linotype machine. In 1908 an up to date linotype slug setting machine was installed. Other equipment was acquired as needed and finances permitted. A paper folder was attached to the press, and electric mailing machine was purchased to print addresses on papers and wrappers.

When the Record’s circulation reached 900 copies, this was too many to print on the old hand press.⁵⁴ In 1871, the Record purchased a new Taylor Cylinder Press from the Chicago Taylor Printing Press Company for $1,340, of which S. P. Rounds was President. The press was capable of printing about 600 papers an hour by hand or about 1200 papers an hour by steam. At first the press was operated by turning cranks on the driving shaft by hand. It took two men to turn the press' drive shaft. Later the press was run by horsepower. A horse was hitched to a device at the rear of the Record office and by walking in a circle provided the power to run the press. Later a steam engine was purchased to power to run the press. Eventually, this was replaced by an electric motor.

In November 1878, John R. Marshall was elected State Senator from De Kalb, Grundy and Kendall Counties. He served for four years during two regular and one extra session from mid 1879 until mid 1882. While serving as a State Senator, John was unable to devote the time needed to manage the Record. In August 1879, he hired Charles E. Lane to manage and edit the paper while he was a State Senator.⁵⁵

In 1908, John convinced his only son, Hugh Rice Marshall, to return to Yorkville and become business manager of the Record. Effective April 30, 1914, John leased the Record printing plant and the paper to Hugh who edited and published it until his death in 1929.

With Hugh's death, ownership of the Kendall County Record passed to his wife and two sons, John Redman Marshall, II and Robert Fletcher “Bob” Marshall. Both of the boys were relatively young and had some big shoes to fill. John R. was 24 years of age and Robert F. was 21 years of age. The sale of the Record was considered at this time but John and Bob pitched in and took over the day to day management of the business.

In January 1932 the Kendall County Record came under new management when the Marshall family leased the newspaper to Lloyd P. Smith. Lloyd was a Yorkville boy and the son of Mr. and Mrs. Brown Smith. Lloyd had worked for Hugh Marshall for ten years before accepting other positions where he gained valuable experience. He had worked for a decade on newspapers and in job printing offices in St. Louis, Kansas City, Dallas, El Paso, San Diego, Fresno, Salt Lake City, Minneapolis, St. Paul and Rockford, Illinois. His most recent employment had been with the Kable Brothers Co. of Mount Morris, Illinois.

Lloyd took charge of the Record January 18, 1932. The first issue published under his supervision was January 27, 1932. In the article introducing him, Smith indicated he intended to include new journalistic features in the Kendall County Record. His intention was to enlarge the work force to get as much news for the readers as possible and to try to make the Kendall County Record and its job printing department an indispensable part of life in the area.

The current work force was to remain the same with a slight shifting of duties. The country correspondents were to be continued but moved from the front to interior pages. Smith indicated when county news of importance occurred, special news stories would be prepared. He also intended to improve the typography.

The work force was, Lloyd P. Smith, publisher; Robert F. Marshall, reporter; Leonard E. Clark, rewriter; Morrison Gardner, compositor; LaVerne Hanson, apprentice; with a new linotype operator to be selected.⁵⁶

When the Kendall County Record was leased to Lloyd P. Smith, Hugh Marshall's son John R. Marshall, II was not listed as a member of the work force. It is unknown how long the lease was supposed to run but Lloyd's tenure lasted only a little over four months.

Beginning with the June 1, 1932 issue John R. and Robert F. Marshall were listed as the publishers. No explanation was give for the change in management.⁵⁷

The Marshall Brothers continued to publish the Kendall County Record together until 1943 when Bob joined the army. With Bob's absence, John continued as the editor and publisher of the Record. Apparently, John found the pressure and workload too great without Bob's help. In August 1943, the Kendall County Record was offered for sale.

The following overture appeared in the Kendall County Record. "Interested In A Newspaper? Ye editor has an opportunity to enter what he thinks is a greener field and must sell the Kendall County Record before he can make the change. A great deal of thought has been given to this proposal and the die is cast. If the newspaper can be disposed of, the change will occur.

The Kendall County Record has been established for nearly eighty years and is well equipped to continue. It is a good business for anyone inclined toward the newspaper game and would be a natural for consolidation with another nearby sheet.”⁵⁸

The Kendall County Record was not sold at this time. When Bob was discharged from the army he returned home and rejoined John in the management and publication of the paper. The Marshall Brothers continued publishing the paper until 1958 when John R. moved to Florida. After John R. left, Bob continued to manage the newspaper until the end of June 1966, when he sold the Record to Howard J. and Jeanne H. Pinc.⁵⁹ The first issue under their ownership was dated July 7, 1966. The Record had been managed by three generations of the Marshall Family, and an era ended with the sale of the paper to the Pincs.

When the Kendall County Record was sold to the Pincs, its subscribers were concentrated in the Yorkville, Newark and the central and southern Kendall County townships. The paper hadbecome less of a factor in the northeastern part of the county, particularly the communities of Boulder Hill and Oswego. This was due to the inroads made by two successful local newspapers, the Oswego Ledger and Fox Valley Sentinel.

Effective with the September 16, 1971 issue of the Kendall County Record, Yorkville native, Jeff Farren, was appointed news editor. His wife Kathy was also a member of the staff. Jeff and Kathy are both graduates of Northern Illinois University with Bachelor of Science degrees in journalism. The January 18, 1973 statement of ownership listed Howard J. Pinc, publisher and Jeff Farren, managing editor.⁶⁰

In September 1973, Howard and Jeanne Pinc sold the Record to Jeff and Kathy Farren.⁶¹ The paper continues to be owned by the Farrens; Jeff is publisher and Kathy editor. Over the years the Kendall County Record, Inc. has initiated or acquired a number of other newspapers. The Record family currently includes the Kendall County Record, Yorkville; Ledger-Sentinel, Oswego; Plano Record, Plano; and Sandwich Record, Sandwich.

Record family newspapers have made significant strides under the Farren's management and ownership, and have received numerous awards for journalistic excellence during their tenure. John R. Marshall, Sr. would be pleased with the progress and success of the paper he started and nurtured for most of his life.

The Kendall County Record has had a longer run than any other newspaper in Kendall County. An almost complete series of microfilmed issues of the Kendall County Record is available from the Illinois State Historical Library, Springfield, Illinois.

Kendall County Sun

The Kendall County Sun came into being in February 1889 at Oswego. H. W. Reynolds was the editor and proprietor. The paper supported the Prohibition Party.⁶²

Kendall County Union

Cyrus B. Ingham published a Democratic paper, the Kendall County Union, in Yorkville for three months during 1862. Volume one, number one, was dated June 26, 1862.⁶³ It was distributed free of charge and relied on advertisements for income. Because of its politics the paper didn't receive the support needed to survive. When Editor Ingham left Yorkville he moved to Kankakee where he published the Kankakee Union. Cyrus B. Ingham continued his publishing career most of his life founding several newspapers in Illinois, Iowa and South Dakota.

When the Kendall County Record was started, Cyrus Ingham gave John Marshall some advice via the Kankakee Union, which apparently John didn't accept. Ingham wrote, "The Record under the management of J. R. Marshall, Esq. is Republican in politics. The first number is ominous of a spirited little local paper. If Mr. M. can publish a paper upon the terms that the Kendall County Union received, he will doubtless be a good fellow. Knowing the caliber of the people to be unequalled in fanaticism and penuriousness, however, with a few honorable exceptions, we do not consider his path as strewn with flowers or leading to extreme wealth. Yorkville and Bristol are beautiful villages and a paper ought to succeed. We hope the Record will."

John Marshall's response was as follows. "Much obliged Mr. Union for your notice of our paper, but we think your remarks regarding the people of this county are invidious. In our opinion, it shows well for the county that you dislike it. This is no place for Copperheads; the people are loyal and devoted to the government. They have no sympathy for those who wish for peace on any terms. We do not propose to publish this paper on the terms you speak of, but we have a good subscription list paid in advance. The people of Kendall will give you the lie in your assertions."⁶⁴

In the vernacular of the day, supporters of states rights, slavery, and secession were called "Copperheads". They were generally members of the Democratic Party.

Democrats frequently referred Republicans as "Black Republicans" or "Abolitionist" because of their anti-slavery beliefs. There were many supporters of each point of view in Kendall County during the period.

From the editor of a rival paper, the Kankakee Gazette. We are in receipt of a copy of the Kendall County Record, just started in Yorkville, Kendall County. It is a spirited little paper and thoroughly Union in character. It deserves, as it is receiving, the liberal support at the hands of the loyal people of that county. Father Ingham preached secession in that county for three months, but was compelled to leave for want of sympathy and support.⁶⁵

Ledger‑Sentinel Ledger Sentinel
Licensing: Fair Use

Following the purchase of the Kendall County Record by Jeff and Kathy Farren, a period of consolidation occurred in the newspaper business in Kendall County

In June 1979, the Farren's purchased the Oswego Ledger from David Krahn of Oswego. This led to a period of competition for local news and readership between the Oswego Ledger and Fox Valley Sentinel. In July 1980 the Farrens purchased the Fox Valley Sentinel from David Dreier. The two papers were consolidated and called the Ledger-Sentinel. The first issue of the paper was dated July 31, 1980. Roger Matile, columnist for the Fox Valley Sentinel, was named editor of the Ledger-Sentinel.

See Fox Valley Sentinel and Oswego Ledger.

Lisbon Comet Lisbon Comet
Licensing: No Known Restrictions

The Lisbon Comet was founded in February 1896 by Edgar W. Faxon, and published and printed in the offices of the Kendall County News, in Plano. From February 13, 1896 to March 5, 1896, E. W. Faxon leased the Kendall County News and Lisbon Comet to E. C. Troll and Charles Powers, employees of the two papers. Beginning with the March 12, 1896 issues, the two Faxon papers were leased to E. C. Troll, Charles Powers and Mr. Schneider. The paper's banners proclaimed, E. W. Faxon & Co. Proprietors, Troll, Powers, & Schneider Lessees. The last issue published under this arrangement was May 7, 1896.

As of May 14, 1896, the Kendall County News and Lisbon Comet were leased to Joseph A. Adams. Both were labeled Republican papers.⁶⁶ Charles Powers, one of the former managers of the Lisbon Comet, continued to work for Adams until March 1897. Adams remained publisher of the Lisbon Comet until August 25, 1897.⁶⁷

Joseph "Joe" Williams, a Lisbon blacksmith and newspaper correspondent, became the on-site editor of the Lisbon Comet. Joe was an interesting and prolific contributor to many other newspapers including the Kendall County News and Kendall County Record. He often submitted items under the nom de plumes, Pinafore, Ghost, Minimum, Comet, and Daddles. After leaving the Lisbon Comet, Joe spent three years doing editorial work for the Grundy County Sentinel, published at Morris, Illinois.

A number of issues of the Lisbon Comet have been microfilmed. The first issue of the Lisbon Comet microfilmed was published June 17, 1908.The last microfilmed issue is dated June 5, 1909. The precise date the Lisbon Comet ceased publication is unknown to the compiler, but it was published until at least June 5, 1909.

Lisbon Herald

The Lisbon Herald was the first newspaper published in Kendall County. The paper was established in June 1851,several years before the Little Rock Free Press, which was established in February 1854. The prospectus of the Lisbon Herald decreed that the paper would be devoted to no party or sect but would support Christian benevolence and reform. It would also speak freely against all war and slavery.⁶⁸

The Lisbon Herald was made up of four columns, four pages, and its dimension were about 20" by 16". It was a monthly paper, devoted almost exclusively to religious topics. Very few locals were published in the paper. Reverend Israel Mattison was editor and D. M. Ide, was corresponding secretary.⁶⁹,⁷⁰

Little Rock Press Little Rock Press
Licensing: No Known Restrictions

The Little Rock Press was the second newspaper published in Kendall County. The paper was a weekly published on Saturday, by Reverend Charles R. Fisk, who served as editor and publisher. Reverend Fisk was a Methodist pastor in Little Rock. Sarah Abby, daughter of Henry and Mary Abby was a compositor on the paper. A significant portion of the paper was devoted to the promotion of temperance.

A total of eighteen issues were published. Volume 1, No. 1, was issued February 11, 1854. The final issue was published June 24, 1854. The paper was a small three-column folio. In its initial greeting the editor wrote: "Some may be disappointed at the size of this paper. But it is as large as it is possible to print on the little affair in our possession. As there seems to be a general desire that we should issue a paper, even if it is small, we have been disposed to attempt it. We think we can make it of sufficient interest and benefit to subscribers to compensate them for their "quarter." However, if at the end of three months from this time, if they think otherwise, it is in their power to say so in a "forcible" manner."

The initial indication was that the paper would be printed for three months to determine the level of support for the enterprise. At the end of the trial period the editor and publisher decided to carry on for a little longer. Because the editor had been required to attend court, an issue of the paper was missed between March 11, and March 25. At the end of the initial three-month period the editor wrote, "This number closes the term for which we supposed we agreed to publish the [Little Rock] Press."

As one issue had been missed, some subscribers felt another issue should be published to complete the term. However, the paper continued to be published for another six weeks from May 18 to June 24, 1854 when issues numbers 12 through 18 were published.

The enterprise was not a financial success, and the Little Rock Press closed with Vol. 1, No. 18. Shortly after publication ceased, the paper was moved to Mendota, Illinois.

A number of issues of the Little Rock Press have survived and have been microfilmed. The series is incomplete but the first and last issues of the paper are included in the microfilm. (Roll no. A-14, 483.)

In October 1877, the building that housed the Little Rock Press, was moved and became one of Mr. Jefferson Shults out buildings.⁷¹

 

Millington Argus

In March 1898, Grant Caproni launched the Millington Argus. He was the sole owner and publisher but was assisted by Harry Virden who was a reporter and the Field Editor. The Millington Argus was a small weekly published on Saturday devoted to neighborhood news miscellaneous articles and advertisements. The compiler has no information regarding when the paper ceased publication but its life was short.

Millington Enterprise

Volume 1, issue 1, of the Millington Enterprise was published December 26, 1872. The Millington Enterprise was a six-column paper printed in Millington.⁷²,⁷³ The founders were Mr. Dalton, one of the owners of the Streator Monitor, Mr. Wilkins and Mr. J. W. "Dick" Richardson, formerly of the Farmer City Orthospor. The Millington Enterprise was successful and a year later moved into a new and larger building.

In December 1874, Dick Richardson left Millington and was succeeded as editor by Francis P. Hallowell, of Chicago. Galva, the Millington correspondent to the Kendall County Record, had this to say about Dick Richardson's departure. "In welcoming the new editor it is with regret on many accounts that we part with his predecessor. …As the correspondent of another paper, I have sometimes clashed with the editor of the Enterprise. But I have always found him willing to make amends if need be, and ever ready to forgive and forget all that was hasty on my part. As an editor, Mr. Richardson has given abundant evidence that he is fully capable of managing a much more important journal than the one of which he has had the control of for the past two years. Being thoroughly acquainted with all the questions of the day, his editorials on those subjects have always been most excellent. He leaves here for Sheridan, where he will be engaged on the Sheridan News Letter. By his courteous manners and real kindness, Mr. Richardson has made many friends here who will always regard him as a conscientious Christian man, making his way, as best he can, to a better land, whatever mishaps may befall him on his journey. Signed Galva. Dated Millington, Dec. 15, 1874." ⁷⁴

In March 1878, Dick Richardson moved to Tonica, Illinois where he became part owner of the Tonica News.

Francis P. Hallowell managed the Millington Enterprise from December 1874 until August 1877, and was considered to be an excellent printer.⁷⁵ During part of the time he was in Millington he was the Millington postmaster with the post office and newspaper housed in the same building.

In September 1875, Rev. E. W. Hicks, a Baptist minister at Newark, became the assistant editor of the Millington Enterprise. Rev. Hicks wrote under the pen name Epsilon. While working on the paper Rev. Hicks wrote and published in serial form part of his History of Kendall County. Several installments were published in the Millington Enterprise during1876 and 1877. The work was well received by the reading public and was published in book form in December 1877.

By 1877, Judson Moses "Jud" Marley had become a junior partner in the Millington Enterprise. Jud was young and enterprising, and eventually became one of the more successful country editors.⁷⁶ In the spring of 1877, Jud decide to go to western Iowa to look for a paper he could purchase and publish on his own. While he was gone, the Millington Enterprise ceased publication. Jud return to Millington and became the sole proprietor of the Millington Enterprise, and hired Martin Costello to help him run the paper.⁷⁷

In August 1877, Francis P. Hallowell left Millington and accepted a position in Chicago.⁷⁸ Apparently this did not work out as by January 1879, he was one of the editors of the Kinsley Republican in Edwards County, Kansas.⁷⁹

In November 1877, Jud informed his readers that the Millington Enterprise had ceased publication. Insufficient patronage was the reason given for the closure.⁸⁰ By February 1878, the Millington Enterprise had been revived.⁸¹

In July 1878, Jud traveled to Creston, Iowa to determine the prospects for a successful newspaper there, and decided that Millington was a more promising place.⁸²

In September 1878, Rev. Hicks left the Millington Enterprise, and his position of assistant editor. On and off for four years, Rev. Hicks had represented Newark in the Millington Enterprise, Kendall County News, and Kendall County Record.

He reflected that "some of his work has been wise and some otherwise. Poor and good alike have gone into the eternity of the past to come up no more until the judgment day. Long scribbling has worn the patient pencil away. Now the stub drops from the cramped fingers, and rest, sweet rest has come.

No more temperance meetings in the Naden and Norwegian schoolhouses, or Sunday school in the Hollenback schoolhouse. Nor meetings with the dear friends in the Lott Scofield neighborhood or in the familiar meeting house in Newark. Yet not like Poe's melancholy rave, 'Nevermore,' for to us there is an evermore! Good by all!" Signed Epsilon.⁸³

In December 1878, Jud Marley, editor and publisher of the Millington Enterprise and C. A. West, former editor and publisher of the Somonauk Reveille, purchased the Kendall County News from Richard M. and Callie Springer. Jud continued to publish the Millington Enterprise while serving as junior editor and publisher of the Kendall County News. A short time after their purchase of the Kendall County News, the senior partner, C. A. West became ill and died, and Jud became the sole proprietor. With the sudden death of his partner, Jud purchased his partner's interest and became the senior partner of the Kendall County News.

Before Jud's purchase of an interest in the Kendall County News, part of the Millington Enterprise had been published in Millington and part in Chicago. Eventually, printing of the Millington Enterprise was shifted to the office of the Kendall County News in Plano where both papers were printed with a steam press. The first notice found with both papers listed in the statement of ownership, was May 10, 1883. The Millington Enterprise continued to be printed in Plano as late as May 31, 1888. There is a gap in the microfilm copies of the Kendall County News from May 31, 1888 until the September 4, 1889 issue. The Millington Enterprise ceased to exist some time between these two dates.

Millington Reporter

The first time the Millington Reporter was mentioned was in the Millington column of the July 3, 1890 issue of the Kendall County News. The paper was published on Wednesday. Martin L. Fuller was editor. See Newark Journal.

Millington Welcome Guest

In 1875, Jud Marley and Martin Costello started the Welcome Guest in Millington. The Welcome Guest was a small newspaper but was said to be full of news and interesting items.⁸⁴ Apparently the paper was discontinued after a few weeks publication.

Newark and Millington Standard

The Newark correspondent of Kendall County News supplied the following notice to the paper. "Citizens of Newark and Millington take notice of The Newark and Millington Standard. It is a number of years since we have had a local paper but there is no reason why we cannot have a newspaper as well as the other surrounding towns. Send us your news each week and we will be glad to publish it and let the outside world know we have thriving and wide-awake towns. By united effort we can make it one of the best papers. Boost your home town and subscribe for The Standard."⁸⁵

In the same issue, the Millington correspondent to the Kendall County News exhorted readers to notice that the Newark-Millington Standard was a direct representative of Millington. That it was distinctly for Millington and should make Millington known throughout the county.

The publishers were not identified but the Lee Brothers who owned a printing company in Newark may have been the publishers.

Newark Clipper Newark Clipper Office
Licensing: Fair Use

The Newark Clipper was founded in late 1868 or early 1869 as a monthly advertising sheet by Gustavus A. and Charles M. Hanchett.⁸⁶ Gustavus A. was a Newark photographer and his son Charles M., a printer. In April 1871, the format of the Newark Clipper was changed from an advertising sheet to an eight column weekly newspaper.⁸⁷

In February 1878, the Lisbon correspondent to the Kendall County Record suggested to Jud Marley that there was a splendid opportunity to start a newspaper in Lisbon. He made the comment that Newark felt big because they had a newspaper even though it was published in Plano.⁸⁸ Either the Newark Clipper was still in existence, or there was another Newark newspaper, whose name is unknown to the compiler.

Newark Journal

A prospectus for a newspaper to be called the Newark Journal was circulated in March 1871, but the paper was never published. The following people were advertised as supporters; Rev. George Lovesee; W. M. Sweetland, M.D.; Professor J. R. Burns; M. B. Castle, Esq.; and Rev. S. Washburn.

In part the prospects stated. "We invite all who feel an interest in establishing a paper here, to give us their names and P.O. address, and not forget the $2.00 to enable us to procure a new press, type, and fixtures, so we can issue our first number as soon as possible."⁸⁹

Newark Journal

In February 1890, A. J. Lukens, owner of the Sheridan Independent, founded the Newark Journal. The paper was printed Saturday morning in Sheridan. Miss Libbie L. Ryan was the local reporter.⁹⁰

In September 1890, A. J. Lukens sold the Sheridan Independent and Newark Journal to N. A. Burnham. Mr. Burnham was a practicing attorney as well as publisher of these papers. Politically the papers were Republican.⁹¹

In November 1890 Martin L. Fuller moved from Millington to Newark to edit the Newark Journal, while continuing to edit the Millington Reporter. Both papers were published on Wednesdays.⁹², ⁹³ A note was published at the bottom of the same column. "A newspaper called the Kendall County Journal has made its appearance in our midst. It is edited by Burnham and Fuller…"⁹⁴ The writer probably was confused when he/she referred to the Newark Journal as the Kendall County Journal. The Millington correspondent of the Kendall County News referred to the Newark Journal, as a neat and newsy newspaper under Editor Fuller's management.⁹⁵

In April 1881, the Newark Journal ceased publication.⁹⁶ See Millington Reporter.

Newark Midget Newark Midget
Licensing: No Known Restrictions

In August 1885 the Midget was launched in Newark.⁹⁷ It was a small paper published every Friday by H. Page and the senior partner Charles B. (C. B.) Phillips. The subscription cost was fifty cents per year. It was described as a lively local paper published by a good printer. The Kendall County News described the paper as having a liberal advertising patronage and substantial local news.⁹⁸

Before launching the Newark Midget, C. B. Phillips had worked for John R. Marshall, Sr. on the Record. The Record, lent its support to the enterprise by describing it as a pleasant weekly visitor to the people of Newark and vicinity. He called it a neat little local paper, and wished his young friends growth and prosperity. ⁹⁹

The Midget was suspended after one year, with the August 27, 1886 issue. The publishers of the Midget continued to run a job printing office in Newark after the paper was discontinued.¹⁰⁰

Newark News Newark News
Licensing: No Known Restrictions

The Newark News began publication January 4, 1922 as a weekly community newspaper. The subscription price was 25 cents for six months in advance or two cents a copy.¹⁰¹ Rev. Russell R. Kletzing, minister of the Newark Methodist Church, was editor and Leslie L. Scofield business manager. Publication was discontinued in January 1923.¹⁰²

Newark Nugget Newark Nugget
Licensing: No Known Restrictions

Charles B. (C. B.) Phillips moved his job printing office from Newark to Aurora. In May 1895 he initiated the Newark Nugget. The paper was printed and published in his Aurora printing office. Rev. Hoover, a Baptist minister at Newark, was editor. The paper was a four-column folio, described as neat and attractive.¹⁰³

The Newark Nugget ceased publication in September 1895.¹⁰⁴

Newark Reporter

In October 1881 the Newark Reporter appeared on the scene. The paper was published in Sheridan by A. J. Lukens and edited by Newark postmaster, Leslie S. Phillips. Postmaster Phillips was also the Newark correspondent to the Kendall County Record. The Newark Reporter was described as containing a liberal amount of local news.¹⁰⁵,¹⁰⁶ It is unknown to the compiler when publication of the paper ceased.

Newark Sentinel

 

The Newark Sentinel was published for a short time in 1900.¹⁰⁷

News-Press Plano-Sandwich News Press
Licensing: Fair Use

In July 1952, the Faxon family sold the Kendall County News published at Plano to Howard and Jeanne Pinc who became the publishers.

December 5, 1963, the name of the Kendall County News was changed to News-Press. October 15, 1964, the News-Press' name was changed back to Kendall County News. See Kendall County News.

Oswego Daily Times

The Oswego Daily Times began publication in November 1877. J. W. Stahl and F. Strossman were the publishers. It was described by the editor of the Kendall County Record as a neat, seven-column paper. The paper appeared to be politically independent favoring the home candidate, Smith, on the one ticket and Duffy on the other. Four of its columns were filled with advertisements; the remaining columns were filled with news and choice reading matter.¹⁰⁸

Nothing else is known about the Oswego Daily Times by the compiler. Given the timing of its publication and its apparent short life, it may have been established to promote a particular political philosophy or viewpoint.

Oswego Enterprise

There was an apology of sorts in the Oswego column of the Kendall County Record regarding the notice of a new newspaper in Oswego named the Oswego Enterprise.¹⁰⁹ Apparently, the correspondent had mentioned the birth of the paper in the previous week's submission but the item had been omitted. Nothing further was heard of the Oswego Enterprise.

Oswego Herald Oswego Herald
Licensing: No Known Restrictions

Volume 1, No. 1, of the Oswego Herald was published January 20, 1904. C. R. Bruer was publisher, and Guy L. Abbott editor. The owner's proclaimed the paper was to be a Republican newspaper. Initially the paperwas published in Sheridan, IL. The plan was to continue publishing the paper in Sheridan until the number of subscriptions and advertising revenue warranted establishing a publishing plant in Oswego. The subscription price was $1.00 per year in advance, and the publishers hoped to quickly obtain a minimum of 500 subscriptions to ensure the paper's success.

By September 1904, C. R. Bruer had a partner named Haines. They sold the Oswego Herald to G. S. Vickery of Leland who moved the place of publication from Sheridan to Oswego. The publishing plant was set up in the room that had been the waiting room for trolley passengers.¹¹⁰

In March 1905, G. S. Vickery sold the Oswego Herald to Rev. J. V. Willis who had moved to Oswego from Tonica, IL.¹¹¹

In October 1905 the Oswego Herald changed hands again. The new publisher was Mr. Boyd who came to Oswego from Indiana.¹¹²

In November 1905 Charles E. Lane of Yorkville leased the Oswego Herald and moved the paper's office to the Helle building, which had previously been a roller skating rink.¹¹³ Charles had newspaper and job printing experience, but the paper was not a financial success.¹¹⁴ Mr. Lane was a popular publisher and the people of Oswego generally were sorry to see him leave. They attributed a portion of his trouble to the fact, that he had not become a citizen of Oswego.¹¹⁵

April 1, 1907, Rev. H. A. Cotton of Missouri took possession of the Oswego Herald. Rev. Cotton rented what was known as the William Wormley home for his residence, Rev. Cotton was an energetic person and made many friends while in Oswego. However the paper was unable to generate adequate income to make it worthwhile. In August 1907, Rev. Cotton accepted a call from a church and left the publishing business.¹¹⁶ When Rev. Cotton stepped down, the Oswego Herald was closed permanently. It had been published for three years, seven months and nine days. During its existence it had a number of editors. Like other small town editors they hoped to publish enough local activities and news to capture the interest of their subscribers. No doubt they were capable and energetic men but they were unable to obtain the local supported needed to succeed.¹¹⁷

When publication of the Oswego Herald ceased the Kendall County Record took over the paper's subscription list. Apparently subscribers to the Oswego Herald thought their un-expired subscriptions would be fulfilled by the Kendall County Record. However, John R. Marshall, the publisher of the Kendall County Record did not agree to fill the subscriptions of the Oswego Herald but merely acquired the subscription list hoping to acquire new subscribers to the Kendall County Record.¹¹⁸

The Little White School Museum in Oswego holds 24 issues of the Oswego Herald. One surviving issue was published in 1904 and the remainder published from October 1906 to June 1907.

Oswego Ledger Oswego Ledger
Licensing: Fair Use

The Oswego Ledger was founded November 17, 1949 by Oswego resident Ford Lippold who served as editor and publisher. In the early 1960's when the community of Boulder Hill began to grow, Lippold expanded his coverage to include Boulder Hill.

In April 1965, Ford sold the Oswego Ledger to Donald and Ann Krahn who subsequently sold the paper to their son David Krahn.

In 1973 a major fire occurred in downtown Oswego and the Oswego Ledger's equipment and office was destroyed.¹¹⁹

In 1974 Oswego native, David Dreier launched the Fox Valley Sentinel. The Fox Valley Sentinel and Oswego Ledger were basically competing for the same audience. For a short time there was intense competition for local news and readership between the Oswego Ledger and Fox Valley Sentinel.

In June 1979, Jeff and Kathy Farren purchased the Oswego Ledger from David Krahn.

In July 1980 the Farrens purchased the Fox Valley Sentinel from David Dreier. The two papers were consolidated and called the Ledger-Sentinel. The last issue of the Oswego ledger was July 24, 1980. The first issue of the Ledger-Sentinel was July 31, 1980. Oswego resident, Roger Matile, a columnist for the Fox Valley Sentinel was named editor of the Ledger-Sentinel. See Fox Valley Sentinel and Ledger-Sentinel.

Oswego News

Henry A. Tounshendeaufounded the Oswego News in April 1873.¹²⁰ By December Mr. Tounshendeau had become financially embarrassed and left Oswego.¹²¹

Oswego News Oswego News
Licensing: Fair Use

A second paper named the Oswego News was founded and published by Don Pinnow. The first issue was published April 22, 1948. Apparently the paper was only published for a short period of time, perhaps a month or two. The Little White School Museum holds copies of four issues, Vol. 1, Nos. 1, 2, 3, and 6.¹²²

Oswego Reporter

The first note regarding the Oswego Reporter was found March 2, 1887.¹²³ The paper was said to have been a "bright and neat little paper, gotten up in good style."¹²⁴ In June 1887, Will F. Young joined the editorial staff of the Oswego Reporter.¹²⁵ By July 20, 1887 the Oswego Reporter, had ceased publication.¹²⁶

When the Oswego Reporter called it quits, the owners of a defunct newspaper did something rather unusual in the publishing business. They returned, unsolicited, all the remaining balances of advance subscriptions, even if the amount remaining was only a few cents.¹²⁷

Oswego Reporter

The second paper with the name Oswego Reporter was founded in 1892, Vol. 1, No. 1 was issued in September of that year. It was a five column, eight page sheet published by W. B. Harris. The Oswego Reporter, apparently was neutral in politics. Its subscription department was managed by Charles H. Lockwood.¹²⁸,¹²⁹

Oswego Vidette

The Oswego Vidette began life about August 7, 1873. It was to be a weekly seven-column paper published on Tuesday by man whose surname was Lindsey. The paper's office was above Greenfield's furniture store. The subscription rate was $1.50 per year.¹³⁰

S. P. Rounds ran a large job printing company in Chicago and sold printing equipment and supplies. Mr. Rounds provided and financed the equipment and supplies to start the Oswego Vidette. The Oswego Vidette only survived from early August to mid November 1873 with about half of this period spent in Aurora.

By October 2, 1873 the office and equipment of the Oswego Vidette had been transferred to Aurora. By November 27, 1873 the type and printing press of the Oswego Vidette was back in the hands of Mr. Rounds.¹³¹

Plano Dispatch

Note was made of the Plano Dispatch Salutatory in the "Plano Local Items" column of the Kendall County Record, October 26, 1876. Nothing further was found of the Plano Dispatch. Apparently it was a very short-lived enterprise.

Plano Fair Dealer

Volume 1, No. 1, of the Plano Fair Dealer was published in late November 1876. The paper was published and edited by Mr. H. S. Dilly and Mr. William H. Deane. These gentlemen were also employed by the Latter Day Saints, Herald Publishing Company in Plano.¹³² It was an eight inch by 12 inch, three column double sheet paper. The subscription price was 50 cents per year, to be paid in advance.¹³³

By mid January 1877 the Plano Fair Dealer had ceased publication.¹³⁴

Plano Mirror Plano Mirror
Licensing: No Known Restrictions

The Plano Mirror was founded and published by John R. Marshall, Sr., the first issue appeared April 4, 1867. The paper was published and printed in the Kendall County Record's office in Yorkville. Marshall hoped a paper with the dateline Plano, would increase its attractiveness to Plano advertisers and readers. All of the news printed in the Kendall County Record was to appear in the Plano Mirror. All advertisements appeared in both papers. John R. Marshall's brother, Dr. Nicholas R. Marshall, was the paper's local editor and representative in Plano. By May 1868, the Plano Mirror was being edited and managed by another of John's brothers, Hugh Rice Marshall.¹³⁵

John's brother Nicholas R. had lent him part of the original capital to start the Kendall County Record. It is unknown to the compiler if he held an ownership interest in the paper. When John wrote his brother Hugh's obituary he included the fact that at one time Hugh was a part owner of the Kendall County Record.

In January 1872, G. M. Walrath was listed as local editor of the Plano Mirror.¹³⁶ Later editors were Avery Noyes Beebe, Dr. Isaac E. Bennett, and D. M. Corbin. Corbin was the editor during 1875 and part of 1876. Avery N. Beebe replaced Corbin as editor October 12, 1876.¹³⁷

In May 1881, Avery N. Beebe received an appointment as a clerk in the pension office in Washington, DC. He went to Washington on a temporary basis to decide if the salary was sufficient to warrant his leaving Plano permanently. Dr. Isaac E. Bennett was appointed interim editor and business manager of the Plano Mirror.¹³⁸

Apparently, everything was satisfactory in Washington, and in August 1881 Avery resigned his position on the Plano Mirror. Dr. Isaac E. Bennett began working on the Mirror in May 1880. As of August 4, 1881, he assumed editorial control of the Mirror's Plano columns.¹³⁹

By early 1882, the Plano Mirror's, weekly circulation exceeded 1800 copies.¹⁴⁰

By June 1887, Dr. Bennett had served as editor for six years and wished to sever his connection with the Plano Mirror.¹⁴¹ His replacement was found and in July 1887, Dr. Bennett resigned his position as editor of the Plano Mirror. At the time of his resignation he was Mayor of Plano, which included many responsibilities and duties, as well as a significant amount of his time.¹⁴²

Mr. Charles H. Lockwood was hired to succeed Editor Bennett. At one time Mr. Lockwood had lived in Oswego. When he left Oswego he moved to Millbrook where he was a Notary Public, town clerk, and managed the hotel. Upon assuming his new position he moved to Plano.¹⁴³

At this time Plano was served by two local papers, the Kendall County News and the Plano Pivot so the field was quite crowded. In the announcement of Charles H. Lockwood's appointment, editor Marshall stated he did not expect to take business from the Plano papers. He indicated he felt the people of Plano should support their local papers. But he also stated that since the Kendall County Record was a "County" paper he felt it was his duty to be represented in the only city in Kendall County.

Apparently, competitive and financial circumstances caused editor Marshall to reevaluate his Plano paper's viability and position. After a presence of nineteen years, publication the Plano Mirror was suspended in December 1887. Editor Marshall indicated he was leaving the field because Plano was well served by hometown newspapers.¹⁴⁴

By July 1889, Marshall was considering reentering the fray in Plano. He ran up a trial balloon in the Kendall County Record stating he had been requested by a number of Plano friends to revive the Plano Mirror. He indicated that if there were no problems to prevent the revival of the Plano Mirror, publication would begin shortly. Mr. A. L'Hommedieu was hired as the local representative.¹⁴⁵ Something must have occurred to change Mr. Marshall's mind as the Plano Mirror was not revived.

A little more than a hundred issues of the Plano Mirror have survived and have been microfilmed. The earliest surviving issue is Vol. XV, No. 1 published January 3, 1878, Avery N. Beebe, was editor. The last surviving issue was published in January 19, 1887, Isaac E. Bennett, editor. Surviving issues are held in the Kendall County Historical Society Library.

Plano News

In April 1872, Richard M. "Dick" Springer and Callie D. M. Springer founded the Yorkville News. The paper was initially a semi-weekly and eventually became a weekly. In 1877, the paper was moved to Plano. Apparently there was a question among historians regarding the correct name of this newspaper. The oldest issue of the paper to survive was printed September 23, 1881. At that time, the paper's banner proclaimed it was the Kendall County News.

Dozens of references to the paper were found in the Kendall County Record, when John R. Marshall was editor and publisher. Editor Marshall invariably referred to the paper as the News or Plano News rather than the Kendall County News.

Plano Pivot Plano Pivot
Licensing: No Known Restrictions

Charles W. Bailey learned the printing trade with Goodspeed Publishing Company in Chicago. He began as a printer's "devil" and over time becoming a journeyman printer. Following his employment at Goodspeed Publishing Company he worked on the Daily Telegraph in Kalamazoo, MI. In 1874 he opened his own job printing office in Dowagiac, MI. After a year in Dowagiac he moved to Vicksburg, MI where he published the Vicksburg Monitor for ten years. In 1885 he sold the newspaper and job printing office in Vicksburg, MI and moved to Plano, where he purchased Jud Marley's printing office.

October 10, 1885, Charles W. Bailey and his brother issued the first number of the Plano Pivot. The Plano Pivot was a seven-column folio printed entirely in Plano. The Plano Pivot entered a crowded field as Plano was already being served by the Kendall County News and the Plano Mirror.¹⁴⁶

In December 1885, Nellie (Bailey) Fox, and daughter, of Vicksburg, MI joined her brothers in Plano. Nellie became an active participant in the management of the paper and wrote temperance and domestic articles.¹⁴⁷ Eventually, she became a partner with her brother Charles and the paper was operated under the name Bailey and Fox.

The last issue of the Plano Pivot was issued in November 1888. Bailey and Fox moved their printing office and newspaper to Ottawa, IL where the Plano Pivot and Ottawa Globe were consolidated. The newly combined paper was published in Ottawa as a Prohibition paper.¹⁴⁸

The people of Plano missed Charles W. Bailey as he was a pleasant, Christian gentleman. He was one of the pillars of the Baptist Church and Superintendent of the church's Sunday School.

Issues of the Plano Pivot published between October 1885 and November 1888 have survived. Copies of surviving issues are held in the Kendall County Historical Society Library.

Plano Press

Judson M "Jud" Marley sold his interest in the Kendall County News to his brother Frank E. Marley in March 1882. One of the terms of the agreement was, Jud agreed not to injure the Kendall County News in any manner.

In the spring of 1883 Jud purchased the Sheridan Independent. In September 1883, he moved the office of the Sheridan Independent to Plano and began publishing the Plano Press. See Kendall County News.

The Plano Press was an eight-column paper and according to John R. Marshall looked so much like Frank's Kendall County News one would know brothers published them. At this time it was unlikely both papers could succeed in Plano. John speculated on which might survive. Jud held a good position in the mail service with and an annual salary of a thousand dollars to back him. Frank was running the established newspaper, had numerous friends, and apparently some well to do relatives willing to help him.¹⁴⁹

Frank responded to John R. Marshall's comments by saying "Only brothers by adoption if you please, brother Marshall. And it is no fault of ours if the papers do resemble." Frank's comment would lead one to believe that one of the brothers, Jud or Frank, had been adopted. Other researchers have concluded they had the same parents.

In November 1883, Jud gave up the struggle by selling the Plano Press to Mr. Addiswho moved the every thing back to Sheridan The Plano Press was discontinued and Sheridan Independent reopened.¹⁵⁰

Plano Record Plano Record
Licensing: Fair Use

The Plano Record was founded by Jeff and Kathy Farren, andis a member of the Kendall County Record, family. The first issue was November 11, 1976 and continues to be published until this date.

Plano-Sandwich News-Press Plano-Sandwich News Press
Licensing: Fair Use

In 1973, Howard J. and Jeanne H. Pinc sold the Kendall County News to Kenneth A. and Janice

Payne Winston of Sandwich. In a statement of ownership filed October 1, 1973, the paper was still named the Kendall County News.

January 7, 1976, a statement of ownership was filed stating the paper was now called the Plano-Sandwich News-Press and owned by the Hometown Publishing Company with offices in Plano and Sandwich. The statement indicated the paper was devoted to the interests of the people of Plano and Sandwich, Illinois and the surrounding area of Kendall, De Kalb, and LaSalle Counties.

Hometown Publishing Company published a number of papers beside the News-Press. They published the Leland Times, Marseilles Press, Somonauk Reveille, and Waterman Enquirer. David Davidson and Kenneth Winston were listed as co-publishers, Donald S. Bickel, editor, and general manager and Geri Ziemba, managing editor. By June 9, 1976, Joe Grippando had become general manager and Randy Meline, editor. See Kendall County News and Tri-County Today.

Plano Standard Plano Standard
Licensing: No Known Restrictions

The first issue of the Plano Standard was published August 10, 1898 with Joseph R. Adams, editor and Myron R. Pritchard, publisher. Publication continued for a little over six months. The last issue of the Plano Standard was published in early March 1899.

Prior to founding the Plano Standard, Joseph R. Adams published the Kendall County News and Lisbon Comet, from June 25, 1896 until August 3, 1898, which he leased from Edgar Faxon. Apparently Mr. Adams got into financial trouble and was forced out. Mr. Faxon leased the papers to Mr. Goodyear and Mr. Scott of Paw Paw, Illinois and sold an interest in the papers to his brother George Faxon. Mr. Adams objected to the manner in which his removal was carried out, and apparently was able to obtain a settlement from the Faxons.

Mr. Adams went to Chicago and purchased the material to equip a printing office and opened a new paper in Plano called the Plano Standard.

An interesting account, or one-sided version, of the history of the Plano Standard was printed in the paper and reprinted in the March 8, 1899 issue of the Kendall County News. The following letter written by Plano attorney Charles A. Darnell was published.

"Our Last Issue. On Wednesday, the 10^th day of August 1898, the first issue of the Plano Standard went forth to greet its readers. For over six months it has been received and read by a large and somewhat appreciative list of subscribers. This issue will be the last.

The reason why this is true, it is believed by the writer, should not be told. It is sufficient to say that from a business standpoint it was poor policy to start a paper in Plano when there is and was already here a well-established and long-successful paper, the Kendall County News.

Some time in October Myron R. Pritchard joined forces with the [Plano] Standard's founder [Joe Adams], put in $500 in cash, and entered heartily into the life of a newspaperman. But, without the least fault on the part of Mr. Pritchard, the business proved to be a financial failure so far as he was concerned. For while he took charge of the books and had the immediate oversight of the force within the sanctum, the income (?) failed to come in. Money received was intercepted, collected, and applied to the benefit of the senior partner. It is granted that the senior partner had the right to settle claims, adjust accounts and retain the money. Yet it proved so burdensome to Mr. Pritchard that at his request, and with the consent of the senior partner, the latter's interest was sold to Charles A. Darnell, who immediately set himself in motion to save what he could for Mr. Pritchard.

At first it was the intention to resume the business at the old stand under the old name of Plano Standard. Investigation proved that this would be a business failure. The Chicago Newspaper Union held a mortgage on the plant for about $800, and there had been only $250 paid down on the plant. Negotiations were at once opened up with the Faxon brothers and with the Chicago Newspaper Union by which Mr. Pritchard will lose nothing. The plant is to be removed from Plano.

Mr. Darnell in purchasing the interest of the senior partner did not assume any of the latter's obligations. Nor did he assume any of the debts due from the [Plano] Standard. It was his sole object to care for, as best he could, the interests of Mr. Pritchard. It may, and perhaps ought to be said, that none of the fault, if fault there be, with reference to the dissolution and final "wind up" of the [Plano] Standard, can be laid at the door of Mr. Pritchard." Signed C. A. Darnell.

The editor of the Kendall County News comments followed. "We have no desire to rehash personal animosities or to derogate over the funeral pyre of our contemporary sheet. Adam's crooked dealings with Mr. Pritchard are only an evidence of the method pursued in his business transactions since he first came to this city and leased The [Kendall County] News. Let the past bury its dead. The [Kendall County] News under its present management has existed only since the [Plano] Standard was established. It has been given a generous support during its first and most trying six months and it would be lacking in courtesy if it did not make grateful acknowledgement of the same. The [Kendall County] News is entirely satisfied with the measure of success thus far achieved. It enjoys the confidence and approval of an intelligent and discerning class of readers. That it has been tried in the fiery crucible of public opinion and found in a degree worthy is enough. Now that we have no competition we shall not cease our efforts to please. Our subscription list has had a phenomenal growth during the past six months. We are pleased with the prospects for the future. And we thank you."¹⁵¹

Other comments concerning the Plano Standard were published duringthe period. "Mr. Pritchard is now running the Plano Standard. Joe Adams, who started it last August, has stepped out by request of Mr. Pritchard and C. A. Darnell. Adams has put himself and his promoters in a very peculiar position. There never was, nor never will be room for two newspapers in Plano. No one knew it better than Adams when he started the [Plano} Standard."¹⁵²

From the Earlville Gazette-Express, "Plano, a town of greater population than Earlville, has had two papers since last August, but it is said one of them will soon be compelled to turn up its toes."

The editor of the Kendall County News responded by saying his paper could hardly be called a new paper, although the present management had only published the paper since last August."¹⁵³

The Kendall County News was not disappointed by the failure of the Plano Standard."We learn that the Plano Standard is no more on earth. It seems that its death is about as tragic as its birth. Its birth was illegitimate, and what few wiggles it made among men attracted little or no attention. It should never have been born. If we cherished a hearty and wholesome disrespect for that journalistic miscarriage we had good and sufficient cause. However, such affairs are only a few of the melancholy dispensations that occur to torment the race, where the innocent is made to suffer equally with the guilty. It should be a good lesson, and direct to do better things."¹⁵⁴

"The Plano Standard has quit, and Plano and vicinity are out about $1500 good money. Experience comes high. This money, if invested in our factories, would have done some good."¹⁵⁵

Plano Sun

In January 1885 the weekly Plano Sun, edited by three young men from Plano, George Fisk, Bert Graham and Duncan Willett began publication.¹⁵⁶ Subscription rates were twenty-five cents for a year or fifteen cents for six months.

A fellow journalist commented "It is a spicy little sheet and shows a remarkable originality and aptitude for journalistic work in the juveniles and deserves a good patronage."¹⁵⁷

No other references to the Plano Sun were found so it is probably safe to assume the venture was short lived.

Plano Times Plano Times
Licensing: No Known Restrictions

The Plano Times came into existence in May 1884, becoming the third newspaper in Plano.¹⁵⁸ A number of rumors circulated regarding the ownership of the paper. One rumor was the paper was owned by the Plano Publishing Company, whoever they might have been, as no notice of incorporation was found for such a company this rumor could not be substantiated. Another rumor was, Jud Marley and Dr. George C. Sanderson were the sponsors of the paper.¹⁵⁹ The publishers denied, via the newspaper, that Jud Marley or Dr. Sanderson had anything to do with the paper.¹⁶⁰ It was said that the paper was printed in the office of the Sandwich Free Press.

In May 1882, the office of the Sheridan Independent was brought back to Plano, with a man named Addis in charge of the office. It was then established, that the Plano Times would be published in Plano.¹⁶¹ Mr. Addis of Sheridan and Jud Marley of the U. S. Mail Service were said to be the publishers.¹⁶² In early July it was announced that Mr. Barnes and Mr. Douglas had withdrawn from the Plano Times and Mr. Addis was appointed manager of the office.¹⁶³

In mid July 1884, the office of the Plano Times was moved to the vacant Herald Publishing Company building. A. J. Lukens, formerly editor of the Sheridan Independent, was appointed editor-in-chief and manager of the Plano Times. Mr. Addis remained as foreman of the printing office.¹⁶⁴

Apparently, Jud Marley had been one of the initiators of the Plano Times. In December 1884, A. J. Lukens left the Plano Times to return to the Sandwich Argus.¹⁶⁵ With the departure of Mr. Lukens, the Plano Times ceased publication. I was then announced that Jud Marley owned the printing office and would continue to operate a job printing office there when he was not in the mail service.¹⁶⁶

Sandwich Record Sandwich Record
Licensing: Fair Use

The Kendall County Record, Inc. owns the Sandwich Record. The first issue of the paper was April 3, 1986.

The Joker

Arthur L. Beane was the son of Fred Beane. He caught the newspaper bug as a young man. While attending the Geneseo Normal School at Geneseo, Illinois he was the editor-in-chief of the Normal Worker. When he returned to Seward Township he became the Plattville and Seward Township correspondent for the Kendall County Record using the nom de plume of Jackson.

About the same time he became the sole proprietor and editor of The Joker which was dedicated to Plattville and Seward Township news and interests.

In January 1887 Arthur acquired a half interest in the newly organized Seneca Messenger.¹⁶⁷ The last issue of the Seneca Messenger was published in November 1887. In June 1897 Arthur was publishing the West Grossdale, Illinois Pioneer Press.

Tri-County Today Tri County Today
Licensing: Fair Use

On June 16, 1976 the name of the Plano-Sandwich News-Press was changed to Tri-County Today. The Plano-Sandwich News-Press, Leland Times, Somonauk Reveille, and Waterman Enquirer were consolidated to form Tri-County Today.

In April 1872, Richard M. "Dick" and Callie D. M. Springer started a paper at Yorkville, Illinois called the Yorkville News.In 1877, the paper was moved to Plano and renamed the Kendall County News. Over the years the paper was published under various mastheads. During the paper's final period it was called Tri-County today. The last issue of Tri-County Today was published September 18, 1985. Thus, after over 113 years of existence under one name or another, the final editorial was written and the final paper printed. A chapter in the history of publishing in Kendall County was closed. A lot of publishing history occurred during this extraordinary run. Of all the papers begun in Kendall County, only the Kendall County Record has eclipsed the Tri-County Today and its predecessor papers' continued existence record.

Yorkville News

The Yorkville News was originally a Democratic paper. It was a stock company founded by the publishers, Richard M. “Dick” and his wife Callie D. M. Springer. The first issue appeared April 2, 1872.¹⁶⁸ Initially it was a semi-weekly but later became a weekly.

At the time the Yorkville News was launched the Naperville Clarion wrote, "Marshall, of the Record, wonders how a town the size of Yorkville can support two papers."

Marshall responded, "That is just what we are anxious to know Dave. We will let you know when the question is solved. We don't think a town Yorkville's size can do it."¹⁶⁹

The Aurora Beacon wrote, "A new paper is to be started in Yorkville about the first of April. We fear the proprietor will be compelled to do all his work himself, and earn half his income elsewhere if he is to succeed in competition with Marshall. We have none but the best wishes for the new enterprise. Yet we know the field in Yorkville is much too small for two good papers. Marshall has laid out much labor and skill upon the Record. He has made it the best village paper in the state. He deserves the united patronage of the people of his town."

In April 1876, James H. “Jim” Ferriss and his partner Frank Hall leased the Yorkville News from the Springers. "Jim" Ferriss was a local boy who gained experience in the newspaper business as a reporter for the Joliet Daily Sun from 1874 to March 1876. Ferriss and Hall were assisted in the endeavor by John A. Brydon, a former employee of the Kendall County Record.

Eighteen seventy-six was a presidential election year. Ferriss, Hall, and the Springers were strong supporters of the Greenback cause and mounted a campaign, through the newspaper, for the support of the Greenback candidate Peter Cooper.

In 1876, Plano resident Lewis “Lew” Steward was the Democratic Party’s nomination for Governor of Illinois. Lew needed the endorsement of a local newspaper but the problem was John Marshall, editor of the Kendall County Record was a staunch Republican and would not endorse anyone affiliated with the Democratic Party. To further complicate the matter, the only paper published in Plano was the Plano Mirror owned by Marshall.

The Yorkville News had not been a financial success. There were rumors that the Springers had exhausted about all the funds their friends and family could muster up and were looking for a financial angel. It seemed like there was the potential for a perfect marriage. The Springers need financial assistance and Lew Steward needed a newspaper that would support his political ambitions. Apparently it was common knowledge at the time that Lew Steward became the patron saint of the Yorkville News. Lew lost the election but the financial drain continued, which led to the Yorkville News being moved to Plano and renamed the Kendall County News. The Kendall County News eventually became the dominant newspaper in Plano leading Marshall to close the Plano Mirror.

Ferriss and Hall left the Yorkville News after the presidential campaign of 1876 ended. In January 1877 they, along with others, founded an independent weekly in Joliet named the Phoenix.

Levi Dunbar and Richard Springer were brothers-in-law. Levi was a resident of Yorkville, and a long-time employee at the Black Brother's paper-mill. When the paper-mill closed he went to work for the Yorkville News, and for three months during the winter of 1876-1877 was in charge of the paper.¹⁷⁰

At one time, Newton Grimwood was also associated with the Yorkville News. When Newton left the Yorkville News he was hired by the Chicago Evening Journal as a reporter. It was in this capacity that he accompanied Professor Donaldson on his ill fated journey across Lake Michigan in a balloon. The balloon embarked from Chicago, July 15, 1875 and neither man was seen alive again. After some time, Grimwood's body washed ashore on the Michigan side of Lake Michigan. His body was brought home and buried in Oak Grove cemetery beside his father, William Grimwood, Sr., an early settler in Bristol Township.

In 1877, the competitive struggle between the Kendall County Record and the Yorkville News was resolved when the Yorkville News moved to Plano and was renamed Kendall County News. During the period when the two papers were competing directly, Dick Springer and John R. Marshall became long time protagonists. First, their political beliefs were on opposite ends of the spectrum and they were unflinching in their beliefs. Dick Springer was a vociferous Democrat, later a Greenbacker and then Independent or Granger, and John Marshall was an unabashed Republican. Second, they were publishing competing newspapers in a small town and fighting for their livelihoods. Yorkville was not large enough to support two newspapers, and one of the papers was destined to fail. When their relationship became strained, both men did their talking through their newspapers and went public with their complaints, perceived injustices and injuries.

Special Purpose Publications

 

In addition to what would generally be called newspapers a number of specialty papers were published in Kendall County. Merchant papers were advertising media to promote the publisher's wares. They were not newspapers in the sense that they intended to increase the public's awareness of local, regional and national events occurring at the time. Other special interest papers were devoted to political issues, the promotion of religion, or temperance.

Commercial Publications

Bazaar

 

The Bazaar was a merchant paper published by Yorkville merchants Crooker and Hobbs. It is unknown how long the Bazaar was published but assume its publication ceased no latter than the advent of the Kendall County Record in May 1864.

A subscriber sent Editor John Marshall a copy of Crooker and Hobb's Bazaar published in September 1861.¹⁷¹

Lisbon Leader

 

The Lisbon Leader was a merchant paper published in 1885 by Lisbon merchants, Wilkinson and Leverich.¹⁷²

Lisbon Merchant

 

The Lisbon Merchant was begun in February 1888 and published by Lisbon merchants, Moore & Willard.¹⁷³

Lisbon Signal

 

The Lisbon Signal was begun at the same time the Lisbon Merchant was launched. The Lisbon Signal waspublished by Moore and Willard's competitors, Kelsey and Newman.¹⁷⁴

White Willow Banner

 

The White Willow Banner was published for a short period in 1901 by L. W. Darnell. Mr. Darnell owned the White Willow store and was the White Willow postmaster.¹⁷⁵

Willett & Welch

 

Beginning in May 1877, the Kendall County Record published a number of illustrated issues of an advertising media for Yorkville hardware and farm implement merchants Willett and Welch. The purpose of the paper was to inform farmers of the changes and many improvements in farm machinery and to let them know what was available at Willett & Welch's store.

Political Publications

Plano Banner

 

The Plano Banner was a political sheet supporting Republican candidates published during the presidential campaign of 1880. The Plano Banner of October 1880 was reprinted in the Kendall County Record.¹⁷⁶ Once the campaign was over, no more was heard of the Plano Banner.

 

Religious Publications

Campmeeting News

 

Beginning in the summer of 1884 a series of week-long camp meetings were held in Steward's Park in Plano. Campmeeting News was published daily while the camp meeting was in session. The Campmeeting News was edited by the Reverend Dr. William Goodfellow of Sandwich. Reverend Goodfellow was well known and highly respected in the district. The subscription price was twenty-five cents for eight issues.¹⁷⁷

In 1884, 1885 and 1886 the Campmeeting News was printed at the office of the Sandwich Argus. In 1887, it was published at the office of the Plano Pivot.¹⁷⁸

In 1888, Dr. Goodfellow declined to serve as editor of the Campmeeting News and publication ceased. With the discontinuation of the Campmeeting News, information pertaining to the camp meeting was printed in local newspapers and disseminated through circulars sent to various churches.

Church Times

 

In June of 1854 a meeting or convention of the Haugean Churches (Norwegian Lutheran) was held at Lisbon, Illinois. During the meeting Reverend Peter Andreas Rasmussen, more commonly known as P. A. Rasmussen pressed for the purchase of a printing press. The money was approved and a printing press purchased. From 1856 to 1862 Rev. Rasmussen published a Norwegian language newspaper entitled Kirkelig Tidende, [Church Times] at Lisbon. To more fully utilize the printing press, Rev. Rasmussen organized the "Lisbon Norwegian Lutheran Association for the Publication of Christian Books of Instruction and Edification." and a number of religious books were published in the Norwegian language.¹⁷⁹

The Messenger

 

Beginning in November 1874, The Messenger, was published monthly in Plano at the office at the [True Latter Day Saints] Herald office. The Messenger was published to communicate with the members of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, living in Utah.

Saints Advocate

 

In July 1878, a monthly paper called the Saints Advocate was begun by the Latter Day Saints Herald Publishing Company. The Saints Advocate was anti polygamy, advocating monogamy among Mormons. Approximately 2,200 copies were circulated in Utah.¹⁸⁰

True Latter Day Saints Herald True Latter Day Saints Herald
Licensing: No Known Restrictions

 

Joseph Smith, Jr., was President of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He was the son of Joseph Smith, Sr. who found the book of Mormon and established the Mormon Church. Joseph Smith the younger repudiated the polygamist teachings of Brigham Young and established this branch of the church, claiming it was the true church of his father.

The publishing arm of the church was the Latter Day Saints Herald Publishing Company. In 1863, the publishing company and church headquartersmoved from Cincinnati, Ohio to Plano, Illinois. The company printed church papers, religious tracts, and books including the Book of Mormon. Their major publication was the semi-monthly, True Latter Day Saints Herald. Elder Joseph Smith, Jr., was publisher and editor of all publications and Elder Henry A. Stebbins was business manager of the company.

In 1869 the company purchased a new Taylor cylinder power press run by steam power. The compiler has a copy of the first issue of the paper printed with the new press.¹⁸¹

In 1877, the True Latter Day Saints Herald's circulation was about 2,700 copies.¹⁸²

In addition to the periodicals printed, the company also published other religious tracts at Plano.¹⁸³ In April 1880, a new power press was purchased for book printing.¹⁸⁴

In October 1880, Henry Stebbins severed his connection with the Latter Day Saints Herald Publishing Company and moved to Decatur County, Iowa where he entered the live stock and lumber business.¹⁸⁵

In October 1881, Joseph Smith, Jr., announced the publishing company and church headquarters were leaving Plano for Lamoni, Iowa. The last issue of the True Latter Day Saints Herald contained the following statement.

"The readers of the [True Latter Day Saints] Herald are hereby notified that this issue will be the last paper printed and published in Plano. The next number, November 1^st, will be issued from Lamoni, Decatur County, Iowa. All letters, communications, correspondence and articles for the [True Latter Day Saints] Herald and Herald office should be directed to Joseph Smith, Lamoni, Decatur County, Iowa.

This issue closes the stay of the [True Latter Day Saints] Herald in Plano, Kendall County, Illinois. It came here in 1863, and was kindly received by the leading citizens of the place. It began its career here with a list of three hundred subscribers, many of them free. Some of them receive several copies. It had a press and fixtures costing $275, and occupied one room about eighteen by twenty feet square. It had Brother Isaac Sheen for its editorial force, and Brother William D. Morton, Sr., as its foreman, compositor and pressman. Included was a Washington Medallion No. 4, hand press as its machinery. It will reach Lamoni, Decatur County, Iowa, and begin a new departure with an eight horse power engine, two cylinder power presses and a jobber press, with type and other fixtures to match. The [True Latter Day Saints] Herald will have an office two stories high, 30 by 65 feet in size with an engine room attached. The force will include an editor, bookkeeper, superintendent and five compositors."¹⁸⁶

The Herald Publishing Company remained in Lamoni until at least January 1907, where the company grew in wealth and influence. On the morning of January 5, 1907 a fire of unknown origin destroyed the printing office, pressroom and the building they were housed in. The estimated loss was $40,000, of which, only $10,000 was covered by insurance. Only the account books and some of the more valuable bound books were saved.¹⁸⁷

 

Zion’s Hope

 

Zion’s Hope was a semi-monthly children's newspaper published at Plano by the Herald Publishing Company, Joseph Smith, Jr., publisher and editor. In 1877, Zion's Hope enjoyed a circulation of about 1900 copies.¹⁸⁸

In October 1880, the publication of Zion’s Hope moved from Plano to Lamoni, Iowa.

Temperance Record

 

Delia Aldrich "Galva" was for many years the Kendall County Record’s Millington correspondent. She was a strong advocate of temperance causes and regularly spoke before various groups. For nearly ten months she was the editor of the Temperance Record a column published in the Kendall County Record. In November 1878 she resigned her position as editor to devote her time to local matters pertaining to Millington and vicinity.¹⁸⁹

CORRESPONDENTS, EDITORS, PRINTERS, and PUBLISHERS

Adams, Joseph A.

 

Joseph A. "Joe" Adams was the son of Reverend and Mrs. E. W. Adams. At one time, Reverend Adams was a pastor in Yorkville. Joe married Miss Jessie Gray a resident of Yorkville.

In 1892, Joseph was working as the City Editor of the Sterling, Illinois, Daily Gazette.

Aldrich, Delia Augusta (Southworth)

 

Delia Augusta Southworth was born January 15, 1828 in Camden, NY. On November 7, 1850 she married Lyell Thomas Aldrich in Millington.

For many years Delia was the Millington correspondent to the Record, and wrote under the nom de plume of Galva. Over the years, the Record had many good local correspondents. Delia was one of the best.

Throughout her life Delia took a leading part in all public affairs. She was a capable writer and public speaker, and fought for many causes. Women's rights, women's suffrage, temperance, and the betterment of her community were among the causes she wholeheartedly believed in. She was a patriotic woman and had a magnificent sense of history.

Delia A. (Southworth) Aldrich died February 1, 1911 at Millington, IL. She is buried in the Millington-Newark Cemetery.¹⁹⁰

Bridgens, Percy

 

As a young man, Percy Bridgens worked in the Record office for John R. Marshall. He was another of the many young men who learned the printer's trade under John's watchful eye.

In August 1892, Percy and another graduate of the Record office, William "Will" Sherman, became the publishers and proprietors of the Leland Express.¹⁹¹

Brydon, John A.

 

John A. Brydon grew up in Bristol and learned the printer's trade as an apprentice in the Record office.

November 12, 1874, John was working as a compositor for the Joliet Sun. In 1876, he helped James Ferriss and his partner, Frank Hall, publish the Yorkville News.

John died January 4, 1922 in LaGrange, Illinois where he was a man of affairs. He was a director of the LaGrange State Bank, trustee for the LaGrange Township School District, and a member of the village board. He was buried at LaGrange.¹⁹²

From his obituary; “John Brydon, a resident of La Grange and a real estate valuator for the forest preserve district for a number of years died at his home last night. He was a director in the La Grange State bank, a trustee for the township school of La Grange and a member of the Village Board. Funeral services will be held from the home of his brother James Brydon, La Grange Saturday afternoon, and a delegation of County Commissioners will attend the services. Besides his brother, Mr. Brydon is survived by three sisters.”¹⁹³

“Mr. Brydon grew up from boyhood to manhood in the Village of Bristol (North Yorkville), where his parents lived. He began his business career when a lad as an apprentice in the printing office of the Kendall County Record, over fifty years ago. He was a co-worker with William Hill, who later served Kendall County as Treasurer, County Clerk, and County Judge at the time of his death. It is pleasing to note that these boys grew to be men of affairs in public life and were honored as officials in their communities. The former publisher of the Record is proud of the careers of these boys.

Mr. Brydon’s wife died some years ago; members of the family now living are: Mrs. Samuel Powell, a sister of Downers Grove; Mrs. Annie Brydon Watkins of Tennessee; Mrs. Hattie Brydon Austin; and James H. Brydon of La Grange, Illinois. The funeral was held Saturday last, burial was at La Grange.

You will pardon this old man for intruding himself on Record readers on occasions of this sort, but as this kind of news is coming to him so often and he hears of those who were associates and co-workers in this community, his mind runs back to those early days when life was before him, his active business life among so many of the young people of the county drew them near him, and he can but pause and meditate. There were no old people in this community sixty years ago. All business was on a common level as to age. We were young, ambitious, and sociable. It is a loving task to honor those who are passing from us. John R. Marshall.”

Chappell, Rollo D.

 

Rollo D. Chappell was born in Yorkville. He worked for a number of years under the guidance of John R. Marshall in the Record office. In May 1909 he purchased the Hinckley Review taking possession June 1.The Review was a good local paper with a steady patronage.

John Marshall commented that Mr. Chappell had been a valuable assistant in the Record office who fulfilled his duties in a conscientious manner. He called him a good printer, a newspaperman who loves the business, and a good mixer, who was prominent in social affairs.¹⁹⁴

Clark, William H. William H. Clark
Licensing: No Known Restrictions

 

William H. Clark was born February 20, 1831 in Elba, Genesee County, New York. He was the son of Genesee County natives Abijah and Phoebe Ann (Driggs) Clark. William was raised on a farm, and in 1846 began an apprenticeship on a newspaper at Mason, Ingham County, Michigan. In 1850 he joined the Detroit Free Press where he completed his training in the newspaper business.

In 1855 he was induced to leave Michigan for Will County, Illinois where he edited and published the Wilmington Herald for $15 per week. He ran the Wilmington Herald for three or four years, eventually acquiring the controlling interest.

In 1859, he left Wilmington for Kendall County where he founded the Kendall County Clarion at Bristol, Illinois. A few months after founding the paper he moved the newspaper office across the river to Yorkville.

When the Civil War broke out he sold the paper and entered the army August 20, 1861 as a 2^nd Lt. in Company E 36^th Illinois Infantry. Later, he was promoted to 1^st Lt. of the same Company. He had his horse shot out from under him in the battle of Chickamauga, and was wounded in the battles at Perryville, Stone River and Missionary Ridge. At Chattanooga he was promoted to Captain for meritorious service during previous battles. While recovering from the wounds received in the battle of Stone River, he was appointed Adjutant of the 36^th Illinois Infantry Regiment.

William's first wife Julia A. (Mead) Clark died April 11, 1863 at Bristol, while he was in the army. Julia's death left two small children, a daughter, Lillian and a son, William Lee without a mother, and a father in the army.

William sustained disabling wounds at Missionary Ridge, and also had chronic dysentery and rheumatism. His disabilities and the need to care for his children forced him to resign from the army in December 1863, and return to Kendall County. November 23, 1864, he married his second wife, Kate M. Marsh, daughter of Spencer and Charlotte Marsh, in Kendall County.

In December 1864, William moved to Mason, Ingham County, Michigan where he became an active businessman and citizen. His second wife and two children by his first marriage followed him there January 2, 1865. Three sons were born in Michigan to the second union, Charles Spencer, Fred J. and George O.

William H. Clark died January 5, 1902 in Mason, Michigan. He was buried beside his parents in Felt Cemetery, Bunker Hill Township, Ingham County, Michigan.¹⁹⁵

Cook, Alfred W., Ph. D.

 

Alfred Cook was born October 21 1850 on the Cook homestead one mile west of Plano. He was the fifth child of Amer and Mary Ann (Page) Cook, II. Professor Cook was by far the most highly educated newsman in Kendall County. In 1872 he graduated from Jennings Seminary in Aurora. In 1877 he graduated from Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois and received an A. M. there in 1880.

In July 1880, Alfred went to work for Judson M. Marley on the Kendall County News where he was part of the editorial staff.¹⁹⁶ By September 23, 1881, he had purchased an interest in the paper and the firm was called Marley & Cook. Cook served as editor of the paper until September 1883 when he sold his interest in the paper and left to become a professor of history and language at West Chester University, West Chester, Pennsylvania. In 1886 he received a Ph. D. from the University of Halle in Germany.

In 1888 he taught philosophy at Bryn Mawr University and in 1889 taught philosophy at Clark University. He was author of at least two books on philosophy, one of them in German.

In 1894 he returned to Plano, where he died September 6, 1924, and is buried in Little Rock Township Cemetery.

Dyer, Silas F.

 

Silas F. Dyer’s obituary was written by his friend, John R. Marshall, Sr.

“While we were away last week we saw in a Chicago paper the notice of the death of our old friend and brother editor, Silas F. Dyer of the Chenoa Times. Though the notice was expected soon, we were shocked when the announcement was made.

We had known Mr. Dyer for about eight years, and have had much intercourse with him. We always found him a true friend, a congenial companion, and a gentleman. We last saw him on the evening of the Fourth of July, when he was in Bristol on some business. He was looking badly then, and we advised him to stop working, but he seemed in a hopeful spirit. He said he was doing so well, that he wanted to pay off some of his indebtedness and get his affairs straightened around, and then he would rest. Poor fellow, he is resting now, and is troubled no more with the cares of this world. He told of his house and garden in Chenoa, his grapevines and shade trees. How much he owed, and how soon he would pay off his debts and settle down in comfort. Well Silas, we little thought then that in a few weeks we would be writing your obituary.

Silas F. Dyer began his newspaper career by learning the printer's trade in 1860 on the Kendall County Clarion under William H. Clark. When the Civil War broke out he enlisted in the 36^th Infantry Regiment, Illinois Volunteers. He was a faithful soldier until the close of the war. When the war was over he went to Chicago to work at his trade. About five years ago, in company with James McMurtrie, started the Chenoa Times. Some three years ago McMurtrie died from consumption and was buried in the Bristol (Elmwood) Cemetery. Mr. Dyer continued to run the paper alone until death's sergeant of the guard passed around, when he was relieved from duty. We understand that his sister will continue the business until the office can be sold to an advantage.

The remains of friend Dyer arrived in Bristol (village) on Wednesday afternoon last week escorted by a committee of Masons. He was laid away in the same cemetery that his partner has occupied for three years. He leaves a wife and infant child.

He is in peace, and when our time comes we hope to meet him in that better land where we can talk over the trials and joys of an editor's life. No more to be troubled with the thousand annoyances that trouble us here. Where advertising agents and patent medicines are unknown. Where there are no more calls for "copy" and where delinquent subscribers never go. Somewhere we are not called to an account for some fancied slander. Where some impecunious merchant never wants to give him a puff "just to fill up you know." Where we are not drove to death on publication day to get the forms ready for press, and we shall no more hear of our living on the public.

Well, Silas, we offer you our tribute of friendship and love. We hope to see you when death calls for us "in the green fields of Eden."¹⁹⁷

Faxon, Edgar Wade

 

Edgar W. Faxon was an experienced newsman. He was editor of the Amboy Journal, at Amboy, Illinois for three years, and for a few years he and his brother George published of the Kendall County News.¹⁹⁸

Edgar was born January 22, 1857 in Little Rock Township, Kendall County, Illinois. In 1879 he married Miss Ella “Ida” Cherry, daughter of Moses J, Sr. and Sarah Ann (Mills) Cherry. Miss Cherry was a member of one of the most prominent families in Kendall County. Two children were born to their marriage, Lillian and Julian Kenneth Faxon.

Edgar W. was prominent in the public affairs of Kendall County. He held many offices in the town of Fox when he was a farmer. When he moved to Plano, he held many local offices there. He was a tireless political worker and was a useful man to the City of Plano. In 1887 he was elected to the Illinois State Legislature.

Edgar W. died March 3, 1905 when he was a little over 48 years of age. Upon his death the Plano City Council held a special meeting, and passed resolutions of condolence and respect as City Attorney, and member of the school and library boards.

Faxon, George Stiles

 

George S. Faxon was born April 21, 1860 on the Faxon homestead east of Plano. He attended the district school near his home and then attended school in Plano for two years. His first occupation was that of a farmer, working with his father Walter Stiles Faxon on the home farm.

When he was 21 years of age he spent a year working for the Deering Harvester Company in Chicago and for a time was a conductor on the horse drawn streetcars in that city.

He returned to Plano and leased the home farm from his father, which he farmed for a number of years. George S. was quite public spirited and political. For a number of years he was a school director and at one time a director of the Kendall County Fair Association. He was actively associated with the Republican Party and for eight years was the Secretary of the Kendall County Republican Central Committee.

George S. was elected Little Rock Township Highway Commissioner, leaving that position when he was appointed Postmaster at Plano in 1898. Mr. Faxon was one of the most popular and successful Plano postmasters and held the position continuously for twenty-seven years.

In 1900, George S. and his brother Edgar W. Faxon purchased the Kendall County News. George S. eventually purchased his brother’s interest, and for many years the paper was run by father and son George S. and Orson E. Faxon.¹⁹⁹

Ferriss, James H.

 

James H. "Jim" Ferriss was the son of William Hazard and Eliza M. (Brown) Ferriss. He was born November 18, 1849 in Oswego Township but grew up in and around Bristol Station.

As a young man Jim learned the newspaper business under John R. Marshall's tutelage at the Kendall County Record. In 1874, he left the Record to become a reporter on the Joliet Daily Sun.

In April 1876, he and his partner Frank H. Hall leased the Yorkville News from Dick and Callie Springer. They used the Yorkville News to advocate the election of Peter Cooper the Greenback candidate. They left the paper after the conclusion of presidential campaign of 1876.

January 1, 1877 James H. Ferriss, Frank H. Hall, H. E. Baldwin, and R. W. Nelson, founded an independent weekly in Joliet named the Phoenix. In October 1877, the same group purchased the Joliet Morning Star and changed the paper's name to the Morning News, andJim was made editor. In May 1880 the paper was changed from a morning to an evening paper and renamed Joliet's Daily Newspaper.

By the late 1870's Jim's friends Richard E. and Callie M. Springer had moved to Maine and were publishing the New Era in Portland. The Springers apparently talked Jim into leaving his editorial post and coming to Portland to help edit and publish their paper.

In December 1880 Jim founded his own daily, the Portland Morning Sun. The paper did not prosper and in April 1882 he returned to Joliet, a wiser but poorer man, to assume editorship of the Daily News.²⁰⁰, ²⁰¹,²⁰²

Jim eventually became the owner, editor and publisher of the Joliet Daily News, which he successfully operated until 1915 when it was absorbed by the Joliet Herald.

During his lifetime, Jim was widely known as a newspaperman and politician. He constantly agitated for the improvement of Joliet through the Daily News.

Jim Ferriss married Miss Olive E. Hunt, a former resident of Bristol Station, June 30, 1880 at Falls Village, CT. James H. "Jim" Ferriss died March 17, 1926 at his home in Joliet.²⁰³

Hall, Frank H.

 

Frank H. Hall was the son of Linus F. and Mary "Sophronia (Childs) Hall. He was born November 14, 1857 at Bristol Station, IL. In 1876 he and his partner, James H. “Jim” Ferriss, leased the Yorkville News. At the conclusion of the presidential campaign of 1876 the partners, along with others, established an independent weekly in Joliet named the Phoenix.

In October 1877, Frank H., R. W. Nelson, H. E. Baldwin, and Jim Ferriss purchased the Joliet Morning Star. Frank became the business manager. The paper's name was changed to the Daily News and in 1880 its publication was switched from morning to an evening paper and renamed Joliet's Daily Newspaper.

Obituary

 

“Frank H. Hall dies suddenly. He was born in Yorkville and became a leading citizen of Joliet. Frank H. Hall, one of the founders of the Joliet Herald and for a number of years business manager of the Joliet News died Friday, September 14, 1917, at Fremont, Nebraska from heart trouble. Mr. Hall recently went to the western city to establish a daily newspaper and was taken ill shortly after his arrival in Fremont.

Mr. Hall was born in Yorkville, November 14, 1857. His parents were among the pioneer settlers of Du Page and Kendall Counties, coming to that section in the early 1830’s. He received his elementary education in the country schools, after which he studied in Jennings Seminary at Aurora. Leaving school when fifteen years of age, he began to learn the printer’s trade. Four years later he became associated with James H. Ferriss in the publication of the Yorkville News.

In 1877, Mr. Hall came to Joliet, engaging in the newspaper business in which he continued in this city until 1882, when he accepted the management of the branch offices of the American Press Association at Chicago and Cincinnati. He also held responsible positions with the Chicago Newspaper Union, American Type Founders’ company and the Thorne Typesetting Machine Company. In 1897, Mr. Hall returned to Joliet to make his home. He continued to make this city his home until removing to Dayton, Ohio, where he became associated in newspaper work.

Only a few weeks ago the opportunity came to Mr. Hall to organize a daily newspaper at Fremont, Nebraska, and he went to that city. In the expectation of making that city their future home the family belongings were shipped west and they were preparing to re-establish them selves when Mr. Hall was suddenly stricken with heart trouble, which resulted in his death, Friday. A brief telegram was received from Mrs. Hall to Mrs. C. E. Woodruff announcing his death, and that the body would reach Joliet Tuesday. Mr. Hall was married to Miss Belle G. Moulton of Wilmington in 1880. To them were born one son, Harry H. and one daughter, Elsie Katherine, who with the widow survive. He also is survived by one brother and a sister, both residents of Chicago. The funeral was held Wednesday afternoon at St. John’s Universalist Church at 2:30 p. m. The Rev. A. H. Laing officiated. Burial was in Elmhurst Cemetery. Pall bearers were: C. E. Woodruff, Irving MacOwan, George F. Seely, L. A. Sherwood, E. E. Wolcott and C. F. Goodspeed.”²⁰⁴

Hallowell, Francis P.

 

In December 1874, J. W. Richardson resigned his position as editor of the Millington Enterprise and was replaced by Francis P. Hallowell, of Chicago. Francis P. managed the Millington Enterprise from December 1874 to August 1877. During part of his stint as editor of the Enterprise he was the Millington postmaster. He was appointed postmaster December 24, 1874 and his replacement, Samuel J. Bartlett was appointed August 16, 1877.

In mid-August 1877 Francis P. Hallowell gave up his position of editor and publisher of the Millington Enterprise and was succeeded by Jud Marley. The Hallowells had made many friends in Millington and their friends were sorry to see them leave. Both of the Hallowells were talented people. Mrs. Hallowell was a remarkably competent lady who worked for the betterment of the community and made many friendships while in Millington.²⁰⁵

Hill, William T.

 

William T. "Will" Hill was the son of William P. and Emma Marie (Haigh) Hill. He was born November 9, 1851 in Specie Grove, Kendall Township. Will worked for John R. Marshall on the Kendall County Record for twenty years and they were good friends for forty years. John spoke highly of Will and treasured his friendship and their association.

After Will left the Record he became, at different times, County Treasurer, County Clerk, and County Judge of Kendall County. His death occurred May 9, 1909 at Yorkville during his second term as County Judge. He was buried in Elmwood Cemetery, Yorkville.²⁰⁶

Humphrey, Hector S.

 

Hector S. (H. S.) Humphrey began his newspaper career in the office of the Ithaca (New York) Chronicle & News, where he learned the printer's trade. In1848 Humphrey came west to Chicago where he secured employment in the office of the Chicago Journal.

During his lifetime H. S. Humphrey established three different newspapers in Illinois. In 1852 he started the Kendall County Courier the first newspaper in Oswego. When Oswego became the county seat, (1856-1864) he founded and published the Kendall County Free Press. In 1864, when the county seat was about to be moved to Yorkville, Mr. Humphrey tried to induce John R. Marshall, who was getting ready to establish a paper in Yorkville, to purchase his plant. John felt the asking price was prohibitive and the sale was not made. Mr. Humphrey then moved the plant to Vandalia, Illinois in Fayette County, where he established the Vandalia Union April 16, 1884. The paper was a success and he continued to publish the Vandalia Union until he sold it to J. F. Sayles and L. S. Matherly in 1887.

While living in Oswego, Humphrey was the Kendall County Treasurer from 1857 to 1863. He was offered the nomination for another term but declined as he had already decided to move to Vandalia.

When Grant was elected President in 1869, Humphrey was appointed postmaster of Vandalia, a position he held for seventeen years. In 1877 he opened a drug store in Vandalia which he conducted for many years, and was continued by his son, F. C. Humphrey.

Hector. S. Humphrey was born January 29, 1828 in Tompkins County, New York. May 22, 1851, he married Helen I. Fox at Naperville, Illinois. Helen was born February 14, 1833 near Detroit, Michigan. They enjoyed over sixty-two years of married life together.

H. S. Humphrey died in April 1914, in his 86^th year of life, at Vandalia, Illinois. He was a staunch Union man, a Republican and a good citizen.²⁰⁷

Letter from H. S. Humphrey to John R. Marshall. Vandalia, Illinois, Nov 10, 1903.

“Mr. J. R. Marshall, Dear Sir:

In answer to your letter received last week, I will say I started the first paper published in Kendall County in the late spring in 1852. I sold out to Abraham Seller's father in the fall of 1854. I continued with the office until summer of 1855 when I re-purchased the office and published a paper until sometime in the winter of 1855 and 1856, when I sold to William P. Boyd. He continued the paper with Niblo as editor, (Alexander Niblo) who you probably knew. Boyd changed the paper from an Independent to a Democratic sheet.

In the spring of 1856, the Republicans desiring an organ called a meeting of the leading men of the county. They decided to establish a paper and requested me to take charge of it. Subscriptions were made for the paper, advertising, and job work. For this, the money was advanced for about two-thirds of the cost of the necessary material, which was purchased at once. The Kendall County Free Press began publication soon after for the campaign of 1856. Yours Respectfully, H. S. Humphrey”

Lane, Charles E.

 

Charles E. Lane was born July 26, 1857 in Bristol. He was the second son of Levi H. and Emily (Kendrick) Lane. Charles had two sisters, Frances and Adelaide and an older brother, Edwin C. Lane. When Charles was seven years of age his mother died and his father sold their family home and the four Lane children were separated. Charles first lived with his grandparents; Mr. and Mrs. Lyman Lane on the Lane farm two miles east of Yorkville. Later he lived on the same Lane farm with his uncle and aunt, Mr. and Mrs. A. D. Perrin. Still later he lived with his uncle and aunt, Mr. and Mrs. George W. Lane on a portion of the Lane farm. As he grew older Charles concluded he didn't want to become a farmer and while in his early teens moved to Yorkville where he attended the school in Bristol conducted by Stephen Ashley.

One day the stove smoked so badly school was dismissed. Charles went downtown and was standing in front of the Record office when John R. Marshall came out of his office and asked him if he would like to work there and learn to be a printer? He began working immediately. While working at the Record office he became a proficient printer gaining experience in both newspaper and job printing. He also learned the importance of business management under John's guidance. Later in life, he liked to tell of the incident that changed his life and caused him to take up the printer's trade.

When Charles left the Record office he went to Freeport, Illinois where he owned a half interest in a job printing business. A year later he sold his interest to his partner and moved to Prescott, Kansas with his brother and father. His father had purchased a drug store there and for a brief time all three worked in the store. Later Charles became Deputy County Clerk of Linn County, Kansas. Eventually in partnership with Mr. Doulton, he established and published the Prescott Eagle in Prescott, Kansas. The paper was successful until the office was destroyed by a tornado. Upon the destruction of his newspaper office, Charles took over the management of his father's drug store while his father was representing the district in the State Legislature.

In 1877, he returned to Illinois where he was employed as a printer in Aurora and Joliet. In August 1879, he was working in the job printing department of the Joliet News under James H. Ferriss. When John R. Marshall was elected State Senator, he hired Charles to manage and edit the Kendall County Record.

When John Marshall’s term in Springfield ended, he resumed management of the Record and Charles left the paper.Charles remained in the printing business, owning and operated a printing office for twenty-five years on South River Street in Aurora.

Charles Lane died May 12, 1931 in Aurora, Illinois. He was buried in Elmwood Cemetery, Yorkville.²⁰⁸

Lane, Edwin Carlos

 

Edwin C. "Ed" Lane was the oldest son of Levi H. and Emily (Kendrick) Lane and the grandson of Kendall County pioneer, Lyman Lane of Bristol. He was born August 11, 1855 on his Grandfather Rev. William Poole Kendrick's farm in Little Rock Township.

On September 2, 1867, when he was twelve years of age he began his newspaper career under the guidance of John R. Marshall in the Record office. After spending some five years there, he left Yorkville for Kansas. John always spoke highly of Edwin referring to him as a faithful student. Edwin's brother Charles E. Lane also learned the printer's trade at the Record Office.

Edwin left Yorkville when their father moved to Kansas where he had purchased a drugstore. Initially Edwin, Charles and the father all worked in the drug store but in due course both brothers returned to the newspaper business.

On July 15, 1875, Edwin C. formed a partnership with John P. Kenea and founded the LaCygne Journal, LaCygne, Kansas. They continued their newspaper at LaCygne for over eighteen years before moving to Clarinda, Iowa, where they founded the Clarinda Journal. The partnership was successful and they continued to edit and publish the Clarinda Journal for over thirty-two years.²⁰⁹

In 1924, Edwin C. Lane wrote to John R. Marshall recalling his days as an employee of the Record.

”Arkansas City, Kansas, Jun 12, 1924.

Dear Mr. Marshall: (The first part of the letter was illegible)

One time you wanted to leave town on a trip and got Irus Coy to do some writing for the Record while you were away. Will Hill and I were there as printers. I do not remember whether John Brydon was there then but if not, he worked there a little later.

I went to the old Bristol, north side, school taught by Mr. Coy for a while. A lot of boys and girls of the Bristol District attended the school at that time. For some slight deviation from school rules I was afraid Mr. Coy was going to whip me, but he did not.

As I remember, I was working one day at that same long primer case in the Record office when you came up to me and said, "Eddie, aren’t you going to school any more?" I was then 14 years of age. My boyish plans had not included anything but work in the Record office as long as the boss would let me do that.

You suggested that I go to school, do chores at your home nights and mornings, and help in the Record office Wednesday afternoons and Saturdays. The Wednesday afternoon work was when the last run of presswork was being made for the Record, and when it was being mailed to its subscribers.

I was living in your home from the time I started working for you. When you suggested that I continue to attend school, and offered your ideas regarding what else I might do, I accepted your proposition without argument. Consequently, I got three months-additional schooling in that old two-story, frame schoolhouse in Bristol, North Yorkville. This school plan was beneficial to me. I hope you did not suffer from it.

I was working in the Record office when you were a candidate for County Superintendent of Schools in Kendall County. I trust it will not offend you for me to say it as I recollect how you got schoolbooks and prepared for the duties of the office if you were elected. And you were elected.

I can not remember if George W. McHugh was working in the Record office before you got me a job in the Aurora Beacon office. I went there to work, but have vivid recollections of working for you in the Record office. I worked first with Will Hill, then with Will and your brother Hugh. I then worked with Will and John A. Brydon. I knew George McHugh well, and the fact that he was in your office at one time.

After I went to work for you I occasionally heard you speak in terms of great praise of an employee named Charles B. Winters, who worked for you before I did. He must have been an unusually bright and useful young man.

If Mr. Winters is still living he likely is the senior living ex-employee of the Kendall County Record. If he is not living then perhaps I hold such senior standing. Remainder of letter omitted. Yours, very truly, Edwin C. Lane.”²¹⁰

In August 1925, Edwin C. Lane wrote to John Marshall's son, Hugh Marshall. The following is paraphrased from his letter. Before closing, I want to say that it was my good fortune to have started in the printing trade under your father's instruction. He was not only a thoroughly good printer but also a man of culture, honesty, and common sense. The experience and training received has proven to be helpful to me through all the years since.²¹¹

Edwin C. Lane died January 29, 1933 at San Antonio, Texas.²¹²

Lowman, Frank Davis

 

Frank Davis Lowman was born March 22, 1866, in Somonauk. Frank had considerable experience in the printing business, especially in job printing, having worked for the Aurora Beacon, Somonauk Reveille and other papers in Dixon and Chicago. In July 1887 he was hired as foreman of the Kendall County News office. In 1889, he left the Kendall County News to manage the Hinckley Review. In March 1891, he returned the Kendall County News. In 1905 he purchased the Sandwich Free Press, which he published to 1926 when he sold the paper to the Home Publishing Company of Chicago.

Frank was an active politician. He was a member of the De Kalb County Central Republican Committee for years and for seven years it’s President. He was frequently a delegate to County and State Republican conventions and was a delegate to the Republican National Convention when President Coolidge was nominated. During Governor Frank O. Lowden’s term he was State Superintendent of Parks. He served one term as mayor of Sandwich.

Frank died January 28, 1927 in Sandwich, Illinois, and is buried in Oak Ridge Cemetery, Sandwich.

Lukens, A. J.

 

A. J. Lukens founded the Newark Journal while publishing the Sheridan Independent. In September 1890, he sold both newspapers to N. A. Burnham. When Lukens left Sheridan he went to Aurora and founded the Aurora Sunday Call. The paper was unsuccessful. The Aurora Daily News of July 14, 189l published the following. “A representative of Marder and Luse & Company of Chicago came out today and took possession of Aurora Sunday Call office." When the Aurora Sunday Call closed, Mr. Lukens was employed by the Aurora Herald.²¹³

Marley, Effie Mary (Lincoln)

 

“Talented woman dies. Mrs. Effie Marley, formerly of Plano, dies at her Batavia home. People of Plano and vicinity were very much saddened to learn Saturday morning that Mrs. Effie Marley, so well known here, had died at her home in Batavia Friday evening. A bad cold had developed into pneumonia and her sickness was of only a week's duration.

Mrs. Effie Lincoln Marley was born in Plano, September 19, 1857, and went to Batavia to make her home 20 years ago. She has been a teacher of elocution and conducted the Batavia Conservatory. She had been much interested in the musical and literary progress of the young people of Plano, Batavia and Aurora for years. There was seldom a program of importance in Batavia but what Mrs. Marley had some of her pupils in the program. She was a member of the First M. E. Church and the Rebekah Lodge, and was a woman who took part in all social circles. She was a talented reader and teacher of elocution. She was a kindly, loving woman who endeared herself to a host of friends here in Plano. She will be sadly missed at Batavia.

She leaves to mourn her loss an aged mother, Mrs. Rebecca Lincoln of Plano, who has been spending a portion of her winter with Mrs. Marley, a brother, Edward Lincoln of Plano, Alfred Lincoln of Nebraska, and John Lincoln of Oklahoma.

The funeral services, which were largely attended, were held Tuesday at her late home at 10:15 o'clock. Reverend Moon of the Batavia M. E. Church and Reverend Leik of the Batavia Baptist Church were in charge. The body accompanied by the relatives and friends was taken from Aurora to Sandwich on the noon train where the burial took place in Oak Ridge Cemetery.

The relatives and friends who attended the funeral from Plano were: Mrs. W. M. Foster, Mrs. Jack Wykes, Mr. and Mrs. Amer Cook, Mrs. Harry Patterson, Mrs. John Cook, Edward Lincoln, wife and two sons, Mrs. William Gale, Mrs. William Powell and daughter Jennie Powell. Mrs. C. D. Zimmerman and Miss Millicent Cook went from here to Sandwich and to the cemetery.”²¹⁴

Marley, Franklin Ellsworth

 

Franklin Ellsworth "Frank" Marley was the son of Jacob Marley and Louisa Mariah (Guthridge) (perhaps Gutheridge) Marley natives of the south. He came to Plano from Red Oak, Iowa to help his brother Judson Moses "Jud" Marley run the Plano News. It was in Plano that Frank met his future wife Effie Mary Lincoln, and they were married June 7, 1883.

In March 1882, Frank E. Marley purchased the Kendall County News from his brother Jud. He continued to edit and publish the Kendall County News until June 1891 when he sold the paper back to Jud.

In May 1892, Frank E. Marley and Effie M. Marley purchased the Sandwich Free Press.²¹⁵

In February 1893, Mr. and Mrs. Marley moved to Batavia and started the Batavia Herald. The first number was published February 24, 1893.

From his obituary: “Frank E Marley, 73, former editor of the Batavia Herald, died at 7:30 o'clock Sunday morning at Community Hospital, Geneva, where he had been taken Monday following a fall on the icy walk. Mr. Marley who made his home, in the business district on East Wilson Street, Batavia was about town as was his custom, when he slipped and fell on the East River Street Bridge. He was taken to the First National Bank, awaiting the arrival of a doctor and was removed to Community Hospital, suffering a broken hip. He never rallied, gradually sinking to his death.

Mr. Marley founded the Batavia Herald, now published by Senator Arnold P. Benson, 46 years ago. He was in competition with the Batavia News, edited by the late C. A. Lewis. Endorsing Republican principles, the Herald was guided by Editor Marley until ten years ago when he was forced to retire because of ill health.

Frank Marley was born October 13, 1864, at Marley Mills, NC. He learned the printer's trade in Red Oak, IA. He moved to Illinois and published the Kendall County News at Plano and also the Sandwich Free Press, before coming to Batavia in 1893, and founding the Batavia Herald. He retired January 1, 1928.

He married Effie M. Lincoln of Plano in 1883. She preceded him in death in February 25, 1916. In March 1910, Effie sued Frank for divorce alleging he had deserted her August 15, 1907. For some time Frank lived alone, maintaining his home in rooms in the business center where his active life had been spent. Since retiring from active work, Mr. Marley has spent much time in writing historical reminiscences from his memory and research.

Private funeral services were held from the Crane Funeral Home Tuesday morning at 10:00 o'clock, the Rev. Clark J. Wood of the First M. E. Church officiating. Burial was in West Batavia Cemetery.²¹⁶

Marley, Judson Moses

 

Judson Moses "Jud" Marley is one of the people that stand out in the history of publishing in Kendall County. He was born September 5, 1859 at Afton, Union County, Iowa, and was the son of Jacob Marley and Louisa Mariah (Guthridge) (perhaps Gutheridge) Marley natives of the south.

As a boy Jud was always ambitious and persevering. When he was 12 years of age, and still in school he began working in a printing office. He managed to keep up his schoolwork and, at the same time, master the printer's trade.

As a young man he came to Illinois to complete his education. In 1877, when he had finished his formal schooling he moved to Plano where he became associated with the newspaper business. In a few months he became one of the editors and publishers of the Kendall County News. He was also the editor and publisher of the Millington Enterprise.

Hoping to better his financial position, he sought and received an appointment in the U.S. Mail Service. He applied himself and soon climbed to the top of the ladder. When he resigned from the Mail Service he was a head clerk.

When he left the mail service he chose to return to his first profession. In July 1891, he again became the editor and publisher of the Kendall County News. He remained with the Kendall County News until the Plano Manufacturing Co., left Plano for West Pullman, Illinois.

With the removal of the Plano Manufacturing Co., Jud accepted a responsible position with the company as Advertising Manager. He remained with the company for twelve years making an excellent record. Jud left the Plano Manufacturing Company to become the Secretary of the Janney Manufacturing Company of Ottumwa, Iowa. He remained with this company for two years. He left Ottumwa for Chicago where he accepted a position with the Merchants Record Company. The company owned and published the Merchants Record and Show Window, a journal devoted to the promotion of trade and how to display, advertise and sell goods. He remained in Chicago until he moved to Moline, Illinois. In Moline he became Advertising Manager for the John Deere Plow Co.

His great energy, combined with his outstanding abilities generated an excellent record in the business world. He was known as an excellent writer and a good businessman. He was the type of person who would probably succeed in any endeavor.

Judson M. Marley was married Christmas day December 25, 1879 in Plano, Illinois, to Miss Minnie A. Sanderson. Two sons were born to this union, Sumner E. Marley and Willis J. Marley. Both grew to manhood.

Judson M. Marley died January 30, 1907 at Rochester, MN at 47 years of age. Jud was survived by his wife, two sons, his father, his brother, Frank E. Marley, editor of the Batavia Herald, and a sister, Mrs. Minnie (Marley) Young of Pasadena, California. Interment was in Little Rock Cemetery, Plano, Illinois.²¹⁷

Marshall, Hugh Rice

 

“Died at Oak Farm, Kendall County, Illinois, from disease of the heart ,Saturday morning, November 4, 1871, Hugh Rice Marshall, youngest son of Perry Marshall and Mary S. Marshall, aged 25 years and six months,.

It is hard for a brother to write the obituary notice of a brother. Were we to give vent to our feelings, columns would be written about him. But he is one of thousands in the human family that die daily, and only to his immediate friends is his death of great interest.

Hugh was born in Bay Hundred, Talbot County, Maryland, May10, 1846. Twenty-three years of his life was passed in Illinois. He commenced the printing business when the Record first started, and worked with us about three years. Part of the time he was one of the proprietors of the paper. Indoor life did not suit him, however, and he was obliged to give up the business. He spent one year in the army where his constitution was undermined by exposure and sickness. Two years before he died he took the home farm and worked it one year. Last fall when his heart began to trouble him he was obliged to give it up. Last spring he was elected Collector for the town of Kendall, but the Great Tax Gather came around too soon for him. Now someone else must perform the duty assigned to him by the people. Since that time he has suffered untold agony from the disease, patiently, cheerfully, and resigned. He was in Yorkville the Saturday before he died. He took the bed Sunday night and suffering silently until one o'clock Saturday morning when the death spasm came upon him. He lay there until 7:30 o'clock, gasping for breath, and then he passed away as gently as a summer breeze. A short time before he died the doctor asked him if he was in pain. Hugh replied, "No, not any. I am tired, weary." He died in full faith that all was well with him. A good son, kind brother, firm friend.

Of a family of seven children only two are left, Nick and John.

Dr. Myron Hopkins attended him, and closed his eyes in death. He did all he could to relieve him and proved a friend until the last. To the many friends who were so kind to him, Hugh often expressed his gratitude to the family. To the last he was considerate for the welfare of others. He lives now in a house of his own in the Bristol Cemetery, where we all expect to rest with him when the summons comes. There, reader, our story is told. You will lay down the paper and say "Poor fellow!" But the old rocking chair in the corner at home will long remind his parents and brothers of the missing one who has gone before.”²¹⁸

Marshall, Hugh Rice, II

 

"Mr. and Mrs. Hugh R. Marshall and little son John R. Marshall, II arrived in Yorkville Saturday evening from Hamilton, Ontario, where they have lived nearly four years. They will occupy the house just opposite Dr. McClelland's on Heustis Street, as soon as repairs can be made on the house. Mr. Marshall will be in charge of the business end of the Record office as soon as he gets acquainted with the routine. For six years he has been employed with International Harvester Company, going to Canada four years ago from the Chicago plant, when the large works were established in Hamilton. He comes to Yorkville at the solicitation of his father, to take up the work of the Record.²¹⁹

The hand, which for twenty-two years has penned the joys and sorrows of the community, is stilled. Another must take up the pen to pay a last tribute to a man whose love of home and community was almost an obsession. Hugh R. Marshall had a vision of progress for community, state, and nation that he was willing to defend even to the point of aggressiveness. He brought to the problems of government a fund of information that was almost unlimited. He was cradled and reared in a home atmosphere by the spirit of a devoted Christian mother. His father incarnated the finest patriotic idealism. Politically his convictions were not purchasable. He was a politician in the finest sense of the word. To him politics meant good government in action.

In journalism his principles were always clear and of a very high order. He respected those who differed from him, but despised demagoguery. He always wielded a trenchant pen against duplicity and corrupt political expediency. His work commanded respect as well as deserved it. His paper never paraded the details of a crime, nor stooped to satisfy the taste of the sensationalist. He felt that the field of activity was large enough for better work. Work that gave an individual character to his papers and found an echo in the hearts of the readers.

Hugh Rice Marshall had been in poor health the past two years. He was stricken Friday morning, June 1, at his home in Yorkville. On June 2, he passed to the great beyond. He was born February 10, 1876, and was the only son of John R. Marshall and Augusta (Emmons) Marshall. In 1893, he graduated from Yorkville High School and entered Northwestern University, which he attended for three years. For a short time he was a reporter on the Chicago Chronicle. Later he joined the International Harvester Company when they opened offices in Hamilton, Canada. He left Hamilton to return to Yorkville, twenty-two years ago, to take the editorship of his father's paper the Kendall County Record.

On October 1, 1904, he was united in marriage to Pearl Fletcher of Chicago, who with two sons, John R. Marshall, II of St. Louis and Robert F. Marshall of Yorkville survives him. He is survived also by two sisters, Mrs. Charles Read of Baltimore, Maryland, and Mrs. William A. Colledge of Jacksonville, Florida.

Interment was in the family lot in Elmwood Cemetery."²²⁰ Kendall County Record, June 5, 1929.

Marshall, John Redman

 

In the course of any profession or activity, it sometimes appears that one individual stands out above his or her peers. John Marshall was such a man. In his heyday he was the preeminent newspaperman in Kendall County. He left an indelible mark on the history of publishing in Kendall County. Over the years, more than fifty different newspapers have been published in Kendall County. Some lasted a very short time. Some with longer lives had several different editors and publishers. John Marshall ran the Kendall County Record for fifty years. His son and grandsons continued the Record tradition for another 52 years. Countless people learned the printing business under John Marshall's tutelage and went on to become newspapermen in their own right. Many obtained important positions on larger newspapers. Others became editors and publishers of their own newspapers.

As a molder of public opinion, John's influence was immense. John was a lifelong Republican and the Kendall County Record always reflected his political views. Through his editorials he continually spoke out for better schools, needed public improvements and support of Republican Party principles. It is an historical fact that, no matter how the rest of the country went the Republican Party never failed to carry Kendall County while John R. published the Record.

 

John Redman Marshall’s obituary. "Death visited the Marshall home Monday evening and claimed the Hon. John R. Marshall as his companion in the undiscovered country from where no traveler ever returns. Mr. Marshall passed away quietly after an illness of two weeks, attended by his two daughters, a son and his son's wife. His departure was a matter of sorrow. A man of force, action and ability had reached the ninety-year mark and nature must be satisfied. With his death, one of Kendall County's oldest citizens has passed. He had also done as much as anyone for Kendall County's development.

John R. Marshall came to Yorkville and founded the Kendall County Record, a monument to his ability. He was a leader in public affairs and was honored on many occasions by his colleagues. During his early years in Yorkville he served as Kendall County Superintendent of Schools for eight years, 1869-1877. Many of the older citizens have been given the teacher's certificate over his signature. In 1879 Mr. Marshall was elected to the State Senate where he served four years with honor to himself and satisfaction to his constituents. He has been honored many times by appointments and recognition through many sources. As a man and a citizen, Mr. Marshall has lived a life of service. He made many friends and did much good in the community. His age kept him from active service during the last few years. However, his influence was felt where he had been active; his church, the Yorkville Methodist; his lodge, Kendall Lodge No. 471, A. F. & A. M. of which he was the last surviving charter member; and his newspaper the Record, now edited by his son Hugh R. Marshall. The strong trend of a forceful life will continue to be felt throughout the years to come. It was indeed a blessing that his life could go out so peacefully and he is permitted to join his companion of fifty years on the other shore.

John Redman Marshall was born January 10, 1837 in Skipton, Talbot County, Maryland. In 1848, he came to Chicago with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Perry Marshall. His uncle, John B. Rice, who was mayor of Chicago during the Civil War, had made his home in that city. In 1852, Mr. Marshall left school and went to work on the old Chicago Journal where he learned his trade. After that he was employed on The Tribune and other papers. When the Civil War broke out Mr. Marshall was working in Dubuque, Iowa. He immediately left for Chicago and enlisted for a two-year period. His first and second attempts to get to the front were too slow. With a third trial he was taken by the Sturgis Rifles, a company accoutered and financed by a Chicago gentleman of that name. The company was sent east at once where Mr. Marshall served as personal guard for General George B. McClellan and saw service with the Army of the Potomac. His service took him into the battles of Antietam, Malvern Hill, Seven Days and a number of other engagements. Upon completion of his two-year enlistment term in 1863, Marshall was discharged and returned to Chicago. This was approximately the middle of the Civil War. In 1864, he came to Yorkville where his parents had moved on the "Captain Williams farm," now owned by Louis Bornemann. Seeing his prospects for a newspaper future, the Kendall County Record was launched May 7, 1864. Publication has continued since then under the Marshall name.

John R. Marshall and Ann Augusta Emmons were married January 19, 1865. The bride was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Francis A. Emmons who lived on the river farm east of the Rickard homestead three miles from Yorkville. The children are Mrs. Charles Read of Catonsville, Maryland, Mrs. William A. Colledge of Jacksonville, Florida, and Hugh R. Marshall of Yorkville. There are two grandchildren, John R. Marshall, II and Robert F. Marshall. Mrs. Marshall died November 3, 1914.

His aggressive spirit soon made our subject a leader in local politics. He stood for the best principles and the highest attainments. As School Superintendent his record was successful. His service in other public offices was of merit.

Ninety years of service marks the life of Mr. Marshall. His passing is to be regretted but we can say, "He has fought the good fight." Interment was in the family lot in Elmwood Cemetery."²²¹

Marshall, Robert Fletcher

 

"Funeral services were held Wednesday for Robert F. Marshall, 80, former publisher of the Kendall County Record. Mr. Marshall died Monday June 18, 1989 at Hillside Living Center in Yorkville. He was born on Heustis Street in Yorkville, son of Hugh R. Marshall and Pearl (Fletcher) Marshall. Marshall married Elsa Withey, September 16, 1943 at her parent's home in Waterman.

Mr. Marshall was publisher of the Kendall County Record for 37 years. The Newspaper was founded in 1864 by Bob's grandfather and remained in the Marshall family for 102 years. In 1965, the Marshalls and the Record were recognized by the Illinois Press Association as Newspaper Pioneers of Illinois. The organization noted that there were several newspapers over 100 years old, but it was believed to be about the only one in the country to remain in the same family for over 100 years.

Robert and his brother John R. Marshall, II, took over the paper when their father Hugh R. Marshall died in 1929. John R. was 24 years of age and Robert F. was 21 years of age. They continued publishing the paper together until 1958, except when Bob was in Europe with the armed forces during World War II.

Robert Marshall served in the 45^th Field Artillery of the Eighth Infantry Division. His tour of duty took him to France, Belgium, Holland, Luxembourg and Germany. He spent one winter in the Hurtgen Forest in Germany, a scene of heavy fighting in November 1944.

In 1958, John R. Marshall moved to Florida and Robert continued to publish the newspaper. While editor and publisher of the Record Bob wrote a popular column called "Around and About, As Seen by Ye Fourth Estate." When asked how he collected information for his column, he said, I would just go over to the restaurant to have coffee. You would learn enough around the coffee table to fill a column with no trouble at all.

In 1966, Robert sold the Record to Howard J. Pinc and his wife Jeanne Pinc. After a short retirement, Bob continued to work in area newspapers. He worked as a typesetter for the Naperville Sun and the Morris Herald.

Mr. Marshall was a member of the Plano Bible Church. Previously, he was a Sunday school teacher and member of the Yorkville Methodist Church. He was a past member of the Board of Directors of the Yorkville National Bank. He was a member of the Yorkville Masonic Lodge and the Yorkville American Legion Post.

His wife, Elsa; two daughters, Mary (James) Mauser of Belle Rive, IL and Jo Ann (Douglas) Pierce of Yorkville; three grandchildren, Todd Mauser, Teresa "Tess" Pierce and Hanna Pierce survive him.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, John R. Marshall, II Interment was in the family plot in Elmwood Cemetery."²²²

McHugh, George Winchell

 

George W. McHugh was born December 26, 1856 in Geneva, Kane County, Illinois, the son of George, Sr. and Mary (Mack) McHugh.

 

Letter from Edwin C. Lane to John R. Marshall, Sr.

 

”Arkansas City, Kansas, April 27, 1926.

My Dear Mr. Marshall

After you published a letter of reminiscences from me in the Record of June 25, 1924, I received a long and interesting letter from George W. McHugh, under the date of Yorkville, July 1, of that year. In that letter he wrote much of interest concerning you and your newspaper and its plant.

I felt that I would like to have you know some of what was written in this letter. I finally reached a point where I wrote and asked him if I might quote from it to you. He replied that I might. This permission was received some time ago, but as my endurance is not up to my ambition I have just now come to a time when I am really getting at the copying.

In his letter George told of your calling at his place of business and telling him that you had a letter from me, etc. From a long and interesting story of old days in Yorkville, about matters personal and impersonal, I am extracting the following for you.

I, too, folded papers for Mr. Marshall when the office was over Crooker & Hobbs' store. You will probably remember a boy nicknamed Bench Knappenberg, who also was employed by Mr. Marshall. The Knappenberg family lived east of Menzo W. Lane's. They were Germans. Mr. Knappenberg was a cooper by trade. His shop was east of the Blackberry mills. Mrs. Knappenberg was a woman of considerable force, muscular, I mean. She had a son named John who was of an unruly disposition and caused her an endless amount of trouble. She tried every available way to reform him, but did not succeed. One day she pleaded with him to lead a different life, but he merely laughed at her. Quickly she seized a knife from the table and drove him from home. He disappeared for several years and finally returned home again a much different man.

One morning Mrs. Knappenberg called at the Record office over Crooker & Hobbs' store to inform Mr. Marshall the 'Bench' could not come to work that morning. The reason he couldn't come to work was the fact that he had caught a 'shiner' weighing eleven pounds (a rough fish called red horse) and that it would take him all the forenoon to get it ready for dinner. Needless to say that Mr. Marshall excused him.

Some time after, I began working for Mr. Marshall in his present office, about the middle of May 1872, or thereabouts. When I first made my appearance in the office you and Mr. Marshall were reading proof in the editorial room which was up in front of the building, on the south side. I noticed William Hill and John Brydon setting type. You left the Record soon after I came.

John Brydon quit the Record soon after, and went across the street to the Yorkville News, then edited by “Dick” Springer who is still alive and has a government position in Washington, D. C. James Ferriss and Newton Grimwood were also working at the Yorkville News.

Your brother, Charles E. Lane, now of Aurora, Illinois, came to the Record office soon after John Brydon left. The Record work force then consisted of your brother, William Hill, and George McHugh. This work force continued for some time. Charles Lane and I formed a friendship that has remained permanent. I am glad to name him among my old friends. He was always pleasant and agreeable to work with. If someone could not get along with him it surely was his or her fault.

'Old Dick' was the family horse you spoke of in your letter. The horsepower was back of the office. 'Old Dick' was a faithful horse and ran off many an edition of the Record before he departed from this world. I also fed the press. Sometimes 'Old Dick' would get a little obstreperous and kick up his heels and make the press go faster, but that was only when he got an extra feed of oats.

I, too, found Mr. Marshall a fair and good man to work for, and have only the highest respect for him. He takes his every morning exercise, and very frequently comes into my place to rest before walking up to Hugh's. I have asked him to ride with me to Hugh's, but he thanks me and says it is the exercise that he wants.

If I had a dollar for every time I stopped the press and changed the Record heading to that of the Plano Mirror I would now be on Easy Street.

I, too, was working in the Record office when Mr. Marshall was County Superintendent of Schools.

I, too, have heard Mr. Marshall speak of Mr. C. B. Winters in a very favorable manner. I was in the town in Iowa where Mr. Winters preached for several years. While I was there his church was destroyed by a tornado. They had pictures taken of the church after the cyclone. I have one in my possession. Subscription papers were circulated with a view of raising enough money to rebuild. I have seen Mr. Winters several times and very well remember when he left here for his Iowa home. I had heard at one time that Mr. Winters was dead. If that is so, that certainly leaves you the senior living ex-employee, and I come in close second.

I did not work for Mr. Marshal very long over Crooker & Hobbs' store. How I came to work for him at that time happened this way.

Mr. Marshall was Sunday school Superintendent of the Methodist Episcopal Church. (Ella Ricketson was organist.) He was standing in the church door, looking for someone when I put in an appearance. It was a pretty cool morning and plenty of frost on the boardwalks. I was barefoot. He looked at me and then at my feet and said:

"My boy, where are your shoes and stockings?"

I replied that I did not have any. He thereupon told me to call around to his office in the morning. When I put in my appearance he took me down stairs to Crooker & Hobbs' store, (You probably remember those stairs on the north side of the building and the old town pump) and asked Mr. Hobbs to give me a pair of shoes and stockings. After I was fitted out he took me upstairs to his office to fold papers. Being of very small stature I was compelled to stand on a box. I well remember all this although it was many years ago. I have paid Mr. Marshall many times for those shoes and stockings, but he never knew it. (Comments based on a letter from George W. McHugh to Edwin C. Lane)

Thinking that you might be interested in the foregoing extracts from Mr. McHugh's letter I am submitting them to you.

This is my third trip here for relief from asthma, which relief I always get here. My home doctor told me to stay here until the weather becomes settled up around Clarinda (Iowa.) I hope to be home at the latest, early in June. With best wishes, Yours, very truly, Edwin C. Lane.”²²³

Phillips, Charles B.

 

As a young man Charles Phillips was known as Charley Phillips but later in life he became known as C. B. Phillips. Charley began his publishing career under the tutelage of John R. Marshall in the Kendall County Record. In 1887 and 1888 he worked for the Record for a year and three months when he left the paper to return to school in Aurora. After leaving the Record he worked as a printer in both Chicago and Aurora. In 1889, Charley was working in Chicago when he purchased the Somonauk Reveille. John Marshall wrote, “If ambition and vim, combined with steadiness of purpose, are the requisite qualities in the make-up of a country editor, Charley will be successful. He is a young man of steady, industrious habits, and is a natural printer.”²²⁴,²²⁵

In latter years C. B. was a successful businessman and large stockholder in Pictorial Printing Company in Aurora.

Randall, John P.

 

The Randall family owned property near Newark, IL. One of the sons, John P. Randall, learned his trade as a printer under H. S. Humphrey on the Kendall County Free Press published at Oswego. In 1874, he moved to Portland, Oregon, and was still living there in September 1892.²²⁶

Rank, Lorenzo

 

Lorenzo Rank was born July 1, 1827 in Germany. He was a tailor by trade but was appointed postmaster of Oswego July 11, 1861 and continued to serve in that position until September 21, 1887.

Lorenzo was the Oswego correspondent to the Kendall County Record, and the Record's first local correspondent. He wrote for nearly forty years under the nom de plume of, U. R. Strooley.

Lorenzo had different, but good ideas. He obviously was a bright and articulate man. Other correspondents frequently disagreed with his ideas, and would respond to them in their respective columns. Lorenzo often made quite unusual statements. While postmaster he used to write things like, "they really ought to do something about the current postmaster" or "it is time for the postmaster to move on." He obviously had a good rapport with the public, as he was postmaster for over twenty-six years.

Lorenzo Rank died August 16, 1910 in Aurora, Illinois. He is buried in Oswego Township Cemetery.²²⁷

Richards, Will S.

 

Will S. Richards was born in Oswego, Illinois in 1846. As soon as he was old enough he began to learn the printer’s trade with H. S. Humphrey, publisher of the Kendall County Free Press in Oswego. Will remained with Humphrey when he moved to Vandalia, Illinois where he started the Vandalia Union. Later he became a partner in the paper.

He ultimately left the Vandalia Union to enter the undertaking business at Ramsey, Illinois. Will S. Richards died January 19, 1906 at Ramsey, Illinois, and was buried at Vandalia, Illinois.²²⁸

Richardson, J. W.

 

"J. W. "Dick" Richardson was the managing partner and editor of the Millington Enterprise when the paper was first published. Richardson came to Millington from the Farmer City Orthospor.²²⁹ In December 1874, J. W. Richardson vacated the editorial chair to Mr. Francis P. Hallowell, of Chicago.

When Richardson left Millington he went to Sheridan, where he worked on the Sheridan NewsLetter.²³⁰ Later he became the editor of the Tonica Index.²³¹

Seely, George F.

 

George F. Seely was the adopted son of Frank T. Seely and the grandson of Martin Boomer of Bristol. When Edwin C. Lane left the Record office for Kansas, George took his place and learned the printer's trade.

In about 1880, George became a member of the Chicago Typographical Union. In about1882, he accepted a position as manager of the Chicago Newspaper Union's Fort Wayne, Indiana branch.²³² In May 1886, he accepted an offer to manage the American Press Association in Chicago. Eventually, he became the executive director of the American Press Association in New York City.

Sellers, Abraham, Jr.

 

Abraham Sellers Jr., founded the Kendall County Journal in December 1856. While The Kendall County Journal was not a financial success, Sellers was not dissuaded from trying to succeed in the publishing business. In 1866, he launched the Arcola (Illinois) Record.²³³ In 1873 he was publishing the Wabaunsee County News, published at Alma, Kansas.²³⁴

Sherman, William "Will"

 

Will Sherman was another of John R. Marshall’s many trainees in the Record office. In August 1892, Will and another graduate of the Record office, Percy Bridgens, became publishes and proprietors of the Leland Express.²³⁵

Springer, California Diana Mary (Mills) Mrs. Richard Marmaduke

 

Richard Marmaduke and California Diana Mary (Mills) Springer were married April 23, 1868 at Chicago, Cook County, Illinois She was better known as Callie M. or C. D. M. Springer.

Callie was one of the editors of the Yorkville News, which she and her husband originated in Yorkville in 1872. She continued in that capacity after the paper was moved to Plano and renamed the Kendall County News.

After leaving Plano, she and her husband published the New Era Leader, a Greenback Publication, in Portland, Maine and a similar newspaper in Forest City, Dakota.

Both Callie and her husband were active in politics and Callie held several positions secured by political connections. Prior to her death she was a matron in a sanitarium in New York City for several years, until she was stricken with cancer. By her request she was brought back to Chicago, where she could die among friends.

Mrs. Springer died at the home of her youngest son, Gilbert Springer, 305 Winthrop Avenue, Chicago, Saturday evening December 16, 1905. She was buried beside her father at Graceland Cemetery. Her husband, three sons, a brother and sister survived her, with many friends to mourn her death. Izilla (Springer) Dunbar, Mrs. Ed Dunbar, of Yorkville was her sister-in-law.²³⁶

Springer, Richard Marmaduke

 

Richard M. Springer was the son of James, and Catherine (McMahon) Springer, Sr. He was born December 10, 1842 on a farm near Lafayette, Indiana but moved, with his family, to a farm in Fox Township, Kendall County, when he was about two years old. He was one of the most colorful and interesting people from Kendall County.

When the Civil War broke out Richard and his brother James, Jr. were among the first to answer the call. Richard enlisted in Company K, Twentieth Illinois Infantry June 13, 1861. When his enlistment was up, he re-enlisted as veteran and continued to serve until the conclusion of the war, rising to the rank of sergeant. He was discharged July 31, 1865 at Louisville, KY.

He was a brave soldier serving with distinction. On July 21, 1864, near Atlanta, Georgia, he was shot in the right arm while attempting to rescue Martin Morley, the regimental standard bearer, who was lying wounded between the two lines. Richard was wounded by a musket ball, which entered his right arm just above the elbow. The ball coursed down and came out near his elbow cutting some of the muscles in his arm. He was hospitalized for his wounds at Marietta, Georgia, but his recovery was only partial, and he was unable to perform active duty so was placed on detached duty. He had suffered other injuries to his person as well. The loss of hearing in his left ear was virtually complete as well as diminished hearing in his right ear. The loss of hearing in his left ear was attributed to the discharge of a musket near his left ear by a comrade during the battle of Britton's Lane in Tennessee.

Richard M. Springer was singled out for valor at: Fredericktown, MO; Fort Donelson, TN; Shiloh, TN; Britton's Lane, TN; Port Gibson, MS; Raymond, MS: Champion Hills, MS, the siege of Vicksburg, MS; and Atlanta, GA. He was awarded a "Medal of Silver" for his bravery. The medal was awarded to those who, by their gallantry in action and other soldier-like qualities, had most distinguished themselves during the war. He was the only soldier from Kendall County to be thus recognized.

Dick Springer was as fearless and aggressive in politics as he had been in battle. He gave quarter to no man. In politics he was at various times a Democrat, a Greenback, and an advocate of the populist Independent party.

Dick Springer was a man of great energy. He lived the life, Walter Mitty dreamed. In addition to the two newspapers he published in Kendall County, he published newspapers in Portland, Maine and Forest City, Dakota. He ultimately left the publishing field for other endeavors and adventures.

In 1912, he was living in the Soldiers Home in Los Angeles California, where he made a claim for a pension under the Pension Act of May 11, 1912. Subsequently, he apparently got back on his feet and left the Soldiers Home.

On April 7, 1915, Dick Springer was living in Ancon, Canal Zone, where he was managing a banana plantation. He filed a paper with the Department of Interior, Bureau of Pensions to which he added the postscript. P. S. "Was fighting like a Turk at Shiloh, fifty-three years ago today." R. M. S.

At the end of his life Dick Springer was living in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He died February 19, 1928 at Edward Hines, Jr. veteran’s hospital, Broadview, Cook County, Illinois and was buried in Oakridge Cemetery, Proviso Township, Cook County. He was eighty-six years, two months and 9 days of age at the time of his death.

Tounshendeau, Henry A.

 

Henry A. Tounshendeau founded the Oswego News in April 1873. The paper was unsuccessful and Henry left Oswego for Plainfield, Illinois, where he founded the Plainfield Echo in 1876.

After a brief period, the Plainfield Echo was closed. By 1878 Henry A. was the Plainfield correspondent to the Lockport Commercial Advertiser and had charge of the Plainfield department of that paper.²³⁷

Henry A Tounshendeau, Village Clerk of Plainfield, died from the effects of apoplexy, at his home in Plainfield, Wednesday May 17, 1882. He was 42 years of age. His widow and six children survived him.²³⁸

Williams, Joseph "Joe"

 

Joe Williams was born May 11, 1848 at Long Island, New York. In 1852, he and his family moved to Millington, Illinois. He lived there for seven years before moving to Lisbon, Illinois in 1859. It was here that he learned the blacksmith trade. Joe was an interesting writer with a strong historical bent. His writing was concise and created considerable interest. He was a prominent figure in the newspaper business in Kendall County. He was a regular contributor to several newspapers in Kendall and Grundy County using various nom de plumes. He signed himself "Comet", "Daddles", "Ghost", "Minimum", and "Pinafore".

For many years, Joe was the Lisbon correspondent for the Kendall County Record. In July 1892 he severed his connection with the Record. When he tendered his resignation he stated, “It is with a feeling something like a graveyard parting that I announce to my Record friends and acquaintances that, with this issue, my connection to the Record terminates. We have known each other for a good many years. Like the respect and affection that one cultivates for anything, even an old battered hat, by long and constant association, the attachment becomes near and dear. The parting becomes proportionately regretful and sometimes tearful. We have had some fun together and too much was sad, even keenly sorrowing. Mostly it wasn't either the one thing or the other, just the most common kind of intercourse, affording little more than tea-table idle prattle. However, I feel that, during all my years of association with this paper, I have not taken a single opportunity to stab an enemy, or to make my personal dislikes a source of cowardly attacks, either by direct reference, innuendo or sneaking inference. When I wanted to "run rigs" I chose my best friends as victims. So if there are any who feel that they have been hurt by anything I have ever said, it was a grave mistake on my part, and wholly unintentional. I hope we all part the best of friends. I further hope someone will kindly take my place in the Record and keep our village well before the people. If anyone should accept the vacancy, I will promise to give them what little assistance lies within my power. I bid you all good day and good bye; for the last time I subscribe myself MINIMUM.”²³⁹

Joe was an excellent writer and popular among readers. The Morris Post wrote we know the editor of the Kendall County Record regrets Joe's decision. We have no particular interest in Lisbon, but always enjoy reading Joe's original squibs. When the Record reaches our office we always turn to the Lisbon column first. He has been a faithful writer for years.²⁴⁰

From the Ottawa Republican, the Kendall County Record of past week contained the farewell letter of "Minimum" of Lisbon. The readers of that paper will regret this, as "Minimum" is one of the best local correspondents that we know of.²⁴¹

Joe Williams left his blacksmith shop in Lisbon when he moved to Plano in 1914 to take a position with the Independent Harvester Company. He died December 10, 1928 and was buried in the Lisbon Cemetery.

Winters, Charles B.

 

When John R. Marshall came to Yorkville from Chicago with an old hand press and worn type, Charley Winters began his printing career as a young "printer’s devil," in the Record office. John held Charley in high regard and often spoke of him fondly.

In John's words: “When the Record printing office began business in April 1864, it was necessary to have a boy help on the paper. The present publisher set the type until the boys (John's brother Hugh and Charley Winters) became efficient typesetters. The first boy employed was Charles Winters, who was connected with the Robert Bridle family out south of Long Grove. When Charley's parents moved to Bristol, Charley became a printer in this office. He was one of the best boys a man could have in his employ. He was faithful in every duty. He was a Methodist and had a desire to be a preacher in which endeavor he succeeded.”

In 1904, Arthur Barnes, brother of Supervisor Harlan P. Barnes of Bristol was the publisher of the Eagle Grove, Iowa, Eagle; Charley Winters had retired from the ministry to Eagle Grove, and editor Barnes printed an account of Charley's life. Part of which is reproduced here.

“Charles B. Winters was born in Morristown, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania April 15, 1847. He began his school life when eight years of age and passed through the lower grades and high school at Morristown and Philadelphia. His parents moved to Philadelphia two years before the Civil War began. At Philadelphia he planned to continue his studies and enter the ministry. However, circumstances arose that changed all his plans. When the Civil War began, his father entered the army and became quite ill. Because of his father's illness, the care of the family fell largely on Charley's shoulders. A year before the war ended and the father returned home, Charley, his mother, and a younger brother moved to Kendall County, Illinois. Charley's mother was related to the Robert Bridle family near Pavilion.

Charley took a job in Chicago where he clerked in a commission office for one year. At the end of the year he returned to his mother's home near Pavilion. Charley then went to work for John R. Marshall as an apprentice printer, and helped set the type on the first issue of the Kendall County Record.

Charles felt the call to preach and through hard work and attending night school he became a minister in the Iowa conference of the Methodist Church. He was a popular preacher and served in many good pulpits. He retired to Eagle Grove, Iowa.”

Charley's youngest son worked for Arthur Barnes publisher of the Eagle Grove, Eagle. Editor Barnes said when they were rushed they called on Rev. Winters who can still set "two galleys" a day without much effort.²⁴²,²⁴³

John Marshall's Notes on Some of the Record Boys

 

John Marshall was one of the most successful publishers in Kendall County. However he did not take all of the credit for the success of the Record as a local paper. John typically had good help in the office where all hands would do what was necessary, set type, run presses, wash rollers, write up local matters, write editorials and wait on those who came into the office on business or social matters. The Record’s correspondents who covered the local news throughout the county were also a splendid force. Many excellent writers helped make the paper interesting to Record readers.

Numerous Record employees went on to become successful newsmen in their own right. John spoke highly of the character and work ethic of many of his employees, but clearly he was a good teacher as well.

In 1918, Edwin C. Lane wrote an article published in the Clarinda, Iowa Journal that triggered some thoughts by the grand old man of Kendall County publishing.²⁴⁴

“The above, written by one of the youngest and most capable of the Record boys stirs a bee hive of memories and compels me, even with all my infirmities, to reminisce about some of the Record boys who accomplished things in life.

The first boy I had in the office when it was located where Miss Hill's photograph studio is now located was Charles Winters. He began work the last week of April in 1864. He is now the Reverend Charles Winters, a retired Methodist minister, living at Eagle Grove, Iowa. He is a man who stands high in the Iowa Methodist Conference.

My brother, Hugh Rice Marshall, was also working on the paper. The two of them made a good team. They had to learn complete business from setting type, rolling, and pulling the hand press. My brother tried twice to enlist during the war but was rejected due to a physical disability. He finally got into the 147^th Illinois Infantry in the winter of 1865 and server for six months or more. He died in November 1871 at the age of 25 years from his soldier efforts.

Next boy was Wilbur Smith, son of a Methodist minister in Yorkville. Later, Wilbur became a successful businessman in Providence, RI.

Wilbur was followed by Edwin C. Lane. He is now editing one of the best local weeklies in Iowa, with a huge bank account and still a bachelor at the age of fifty, and then some.

The next person hired was William Hill. He was with me for twenty years. He became the Kendall County Treasurer, County Clerk, and County Judge. His untimely death occurred during his second term as County Judge. He lived a useful life and was a clean man through and through. I tied to him for forty years.

With him came John Brydon, who later went to LaGrange and became a businessman of note and a Supervisor from his township. He was a quiet boy who got along with everyone.

George McHugh did his part as a Record boy and could always be relied on. He is now a Bristol Township farmer and owns and manages the newsroom in Yorkville. He was not always a quiet boy. At times he was somewhat turbulent and was occasionally known to fight when someone tried to impose upon him. However, George was an industrious chap and has accomplished much through a life of activity.

Charles Phillips, manager and large stockholder in the Pictorial Printing Company, Aurora, Illinois, was one of the Record boys. He primarily learned his printing craft in Yorkville. He lived in my family and was noted as a consumer of muffins who had no equal. Charley was a good boy. He has made himself useful as a man and business leader.

So I might go on for a column, Louis Haas, "Bolly" McKaig, John McKenzie were also some of the earlier boys. The later ones, who were all, regarded highly, I cannot now particularize as my fingers, the typewriter keys and my brain do not coordinate.

Pardon this old man's loquacity. The Record is his grown child from which he has parted because of exigencies of the years, but "must come back" from time to time.²⁴⁵

 

John Marshall and Dick Springer

 

Dick Springer and John R. Marshall became long time protagonists. There probably were several reasons for their antagonism toward each other. First, their political beliefs were at opposite ends of the political spectrum, Dick Springer was a vociferous Democrat, later a Greenbacker and then Independent or Granger, and John Marshall was an unabashed Republican. Politically, they saw things differently and each was unflinching in their political philosophies.

Second, they published competing newspapers in a small town. Yorkville was not large enough to support two newspapers, and one of the papers was destined to fail. While they were competing, they were fighting for the livelihood. When their relationship became strained, both men did their talking through their newspapers. They went public with their complaints, perceived injustices and injuries. Unfortunately, no issues of the Yorkville News have survived so examples can not be drawn from the News. However, a number of references were found to articles published in the Yorkville News and later the Kendall County News published by Dick and Callie Springer.

As early as December 1873 John Marshall was expressing his views of Dick Springer's competitive tactics.²⁴⁶

Another friction point between the two dealt with printing early issues of the Yorkville News. Marshall’s side of the conflict has survived. Nothing of Springer’s side of the story has survived the years. It is possible to determine some of the issues from Marshall’s published response to Springer’s claims.

The following article was published in the Kendall County Record. “A word of personal explanation. J. R. Marshall to R. M. Springer. To the people of Kendall County: It is only fair to the many patrons of the Kendall County Record that I make, over my own signature, some reply to an article in the Plano News headed “A word to J. R. Marshall,” written by R. M. Springer. I will disregard the editorial “we” and adopt the more egotistical “I” in what I have to say. So long as Mr. Springer attacks me politically I have nothing to say. When he attempts to show that I deliberately broke a contract he says I made with him, I desire to offer some defense.

Mr. Springer says first that I insinuate charges against him that I cannot make specific. I can make them specific if he insists upon it, giving as my authority, some of the time, his own blood relatives. However, I will not bring the gentleman’s family into a newspaper squabble. It is notorious that Mr. Springer borrows money without the possibility of repaying, and buys without a probability of meeting the bills. That may be his misfortune and not his fault: but the fact remains.

He says explicitly that J. R. Marshall is directly responsible for his being so burdened with debt today, and then goes on to detail how as follows.

When we first arranged to start our paper at Yorkville we made a clear, definite and final contract with said J. R. Marshall to do our printing, at a price fixed by him. On the strength of that agreement, not knowing then that he was a dishonest man, we purchased type and material to set up our paper. We announced that it would appear March 4^th, 1872. Of course we had no press and for the reason that we had bargained with Mr. Marshall to do our press work, thus saving us the investment of a thousand or fifteen hundred dollars. Everybody in Yorkville and vicinity understood for weeks that he had made such an arrangement. Then imagine our surprise when we received the following explicit repudiation of that contract and agreement on the very day that our paper was advertised to appear. It came without a word of warning or a hint of any kind, in the shape of the following brief note:

Office of the Kendall County Record, Yorkville, ILL, March 4, 1872.

R. M. Springer, Esq., Dear Sir, Upon further consideration I have concluded not to do the presswork you spoke of on my press. You can buy a hand press in time to get your paper out. Respectfully, J. R. Marshall.

This was a fair, square repudiation of a business contract. It caused us to delay the publication of our paper a number of weeks. This resulted in a direct loss for labor, rent, etc., to say nothing of the loss of patronage, amounting to no inconsiderable sum. But the worst feature of it all was that it necessitated the purchase on time of an expensive press, for we could not compete with a power press on a slow hand press, as Mr. Marshall well knew. He told on the streets with great glee that he would “clean us out in less than three months.” This he has tried to do every day since we established our paper. The mortgage that has weighted us down like a mill stone for the past four years was placed on us by the dishonest repudiation of a fair business contract by Mr. Marshall. Yet he prattles about our dishonesty and incompetence, and by contrast lauds his righteousness.

I denounce the above statement of Mr. Springer as a falsehood, from beginning to end. It may not be a willful falsehood, as at this late day, nearly six years, Mr. Springer’s memory may have failed him. Mr. Springer never made a contract with me to print his paper, beyond a short time for him to get matters arranged and it was merely a verbal understanding on his part at best.

My first knowledge of Mr. Springer’s “journalistic” ambition was in 1872 when he wanted to buy half of the Record office. I declined to take a partner, but offered to sell him the whole establishment. This he could not buy, as he didn’t have a dollar he could call his own. He then wanted me to help him buy an office in some town, and I tried to get him a place, he going to Chenoa and other points to try and purchase an office. Failing in these things he announced his intention of starting in Yorkville, because Irus Coy was going to help him.

I do not know when he agreed to get his paper out, but he came to me announcing the fact. I told him that the village of Yorkville could not support two papers. That it was a small town and that if he started a paper here, he or I must go to the wall. I told him that the man who could hold out the longest would have the field to himself. I was not prepared to “lie down” and let him have a business that I had been eight years in building up. I did tell Mr. Springer that I would hold the business if possible. Several gentlemen, whom we could name, who disliked the Record because they could not use it as they wished for political and personal advancement, backed him up.

I told Mr. Springer that I would print his paper on my press, and I believed at that time I could do it. He was to have his forms ready on Fridays and Tuesdays of each week. The Record is printed on Saturdays and Wednesdays of each week. He came with the first side of his paper about the last of March 1872, and I printed it. He brought the next side the Tuesday following, which was town meeting day in April. Springer never had a note from me dated March 4, 1872. I printed his paper regularly for three weeks, I think, and did it well. However, he got slack with his work, as he always does, when work is on the program, and his “forms” were not ready on time. He ran me into the night, and then trespassed on the time of my paper. I saw that in my small office, with so little room, running a press by horsepower that I could not print his paper and mine too. As I did not want to suspend the Record I thought he had better buy his own press, and go in debt for it as I had done. I gave him some ten days notice, ample time for him to get a hand press from Chicago, which he could buy for $300. I don’t believe I did wrong. When Mr. Springer says it was a fair, square repudiation of a business contract, he lies.

No man can expect me to sacrifice my own business for the benefit of a rival in business. That is what Mr. Springer expects me to do. If his paper was delayed at all, it was because of his own slackness, indolence, and incapacity to do business.

Mr. Springer says the worst of it was that he was obliged to buy an expensive press. Was I to blame for that? I printed the Record on a hand press for eight years. He could have done it for a year or two certainly. Mr. Springer bought a cylinder press for $1500 without a business to warrant the expenditure, without a cent of money, and yet says I am to blame for his having a mortgage on it.

He also finds fault with me because I started a paper in Yorkville when there was no opposition and got in on a firm basis. I can’t help that. The Record is the only paper that was ever published in Kendall County that has been in any degree successful. It was done by more hard work than R. M. Springer ever did in his life. I was a practical printer and did my own work. Mr. Springer is only a “journalist” and didn’t know how to work. That made all the difference in success.

He says that since the establishment of the Record nearly fifteen years ago, I have drawn not less than $15,000 in cash from the people. This revenue was in the shape of official patronage to my paper and as a county officer! Fifteen thousand dollars in 15 years as my dual capacity as publisher and County School Superintendent! How remarkable! A thousand dollars a year! On this point, Mr. Springer again labors under a great mistake. I have received from the county during the eight years of office holding about $2,800, or about $350 a year. The office had to be administered by someone. For job printing and advertising for the county, including the delinquent tax list advertising, which the county does not pay, averaging a hundred dollars a year, I have received about $3,000 in fifteen years, and the work has been done. Here is a total of $5,800 that Mr. Springer stretches by his inflation doctrine to $15,000.

Now then, last winter, in the Legislature, Springer opened and shut the door for State Senators for $6 a day, including Sundays, aggregating $720 for four months work. Two years before his wife held a position at the same price and made as much more, $1440 for eight month’s work. But we never heard Mr. Springer complain of the excess of pay. It makes a big difference with him whether Springer gets it or Marshall gets it.

Mr. Springer doubtless published the article to manufacture sympathy on the eve of an election for which he was a candidate, and is not entirely responsible for his insane falsehoods.

Finally, Mrs. Springer says I am in debt, that I have a mortgage on my press, Yes, I grant it. And I am sorry for it. And I lay all my troubles in that direction to R. M. Springer. I bought a press in 1871 for $1475. I paid $475 down on it and borrowed $1,000. I mortgaged my residence and office building for that sum, and I have not been able to pay it, all on Springer’s account. The year after I bought the press, he started a paper in Yorkville, divided my patronage, and made me enlarge my paper, employ more help, and double my expenses. I had to do it or lose business. I have made only a living since that time, and have not been able to pay the thousand dollars but I have paid the interest though, 500 good dollars in interest, all on Springer’s account.

Reader that is all I will have to say on the subject of Mr. Springer. From this point forth, I dismiss him and his growling. Please pardon me if I have tired you, and taken up some valuable space upon a very invaluable subject. I deemed it best to make this statement in self-defense.

And now, reader, the Kendall County Record is published at Yorkville, ILL, every Thursday for $1.50 a year in advance, $1.65 to subscribers living out of the county. It has a weekly circulation of 1,512 copies. It is the best advertising medium in the county. In addition we do the best kind of job printing for the least bit of price, and I want you to give me a big lift this winter so that I can pay that thousand dollars. November 9, 1877. Signed J. R. Marshall.”

Contrary to his word not to pursue the topic further, John R. Marshall, published the following article in the November 22, 1877 issue of the Kendall County Record.

“A possible error. I do not wish to knowingly misrepresent a man and must refer to that press matter again this week, to atone for error, if any was made.

I am informed that Mr. R. M. Springer has shown to several persons the note he says I wrote to him on the 4^th of March 1872, and it is veritably my writing and signature, and the date is March 4, 1872. If that is a fact, I apologize for that much, but cannot understand how it can be so, when it is a month before Mr. Springer’s paper was issued, and long before he received the type for his paper. I relied then upon my memory. I will now give dates from files of the Record and from my books.

March 21, 1872, I announced in my paper the arrival of the type for Mr. Springer’s paper the Monday previous, or March 18^th.

April 4, 1872, the Record noted the first number of the Yorkville News appeared April 2, 1872.

March 28, 1872, there is charged to R. M. Springer four tokens of presswork for printing his paper.

April 8, 1872, I have charged R. M. Springer for seven tokens of presswork.

I cannot conceive how, if I notified him on March 4^th that I could not print his paper, he can charge me with breaking a contract or delaying his paper. By his own showing I gave him ample written notice. So far as the date of the note is concerned I may be in error, but that is all. Signed: J. R. Marshall.”

In April 1876, Dick Springer hired James "Jim" Ferriss and John A. Brydon to manage and publisher the Yorkville News. John Marshall commented that "Springer will continue to cast its political horoscope until Mr. (Lewis) Steward is elected Governor and takes him to Springfield. John Brydon learned his trade at the Record office. If Springer hasn't ruined him, he is a square young man. With Mr. Ferriss, we are not so well acquainted.”²⁴⁷

John R. Marshall and Richard M. Springer continued their running battle for many years. Early issues of Springer’s papers the Yorkville News and the Kendall County News published at Plano, Illinois have not survived. An almost complete collection of Marshall’s Kendall County Record has survived. Many uncomplimentary and biting comments about Springer and his business acumen and political philosophy may be found in early issues of the Record. No doubt the converse was equally true. After a series of particularly bitter comments by John Marshall, someone apparently asked Dick Springer what he was going to do about Marshall's comments.

The editor of Marshall's Plano Mirror wrote the following. "Boss Marshall has incurred the everlasting displeasure of the Plano News (sic Kendall County News) Editor. Springer's verdict is a "Horsewhipping at sight." We would not take it quite so seriously or feel so melancholy about it had we not received the following order. "I hereby authorize you as, my Plano representative, to receive said horsewhipping and charge to the Mirror account. Signed: Yours truly, J. R. Marshall.²⁴⁸

In 1877, the Yorkville News was moved to Plano and renamed the Kendall County News. Marshall always referred to the Kendall County News as the Plano News. The name stuck and historical references to the Plano News are plentiful. It is however, the compiler’s belief that the paper was named the Kendall County News from its initial publication. John R. Marshall, II thought the Kendall County Record was the only true “county” paper. Apparently he did not want to dignify the paper by calling it the Kendall County News.

NOMS De PLUME

 

Early day, local correspondents, particularly Kendall County Record correspondents, often wrote under a pen name or nom de plume. The philosophy seemed to be that if people did not know who the local correspondent was they would be more likely to discuss newsworthy items with them.

 

Some of the pen names used:

 

A Daily Witness Record Newark correspondent.

Ah Sin Record Millington correspondent John West Mason.

Ann I. Witness Record Newark correspondent.

Beauty Record Big Grove correspondent.

Argus Record Millington correspondent.

Charity Record Lisbon correspondent.

Comet Lisbon Comet correspondent Joe Williams

Curren Titem Record Millington correspondent.

Daddles Kendall County News correspondent Joe Williams

Émigré & Co. Record Plattville correspondent William C. Tallmadge.

Epsilon Millington Enterprise correspondent Rev. E. W. Hicks.

Eta. Record Newark correspondent.

Galva Record Millington correspondent Delia A. Aldrich.

Ghost Kendall County News correspondent Joe Williams

Hampden Record Lisbon correspondent.

Isadore Record Seward correspondent Mrs. W. A. Worthing.

I. M. Newsgather Record Minooka correspondent

Itemizer Record correspondent William Lukens.

Jackson Record Seward correspondent Arthur L. Beane.

Joe Daddles Kendall County News correspondent Joe Williams

Mine Record Plattville correspondent.

Minimum Record Lisbon correspondent Joe Williams

Moslander Record Newark correspondent.

Nib Record Newark correspondent.

Noah's Ark Record NaAuSay correspondent.

Occasional Record Bristol Station correspondent.

Occasional Record Plattville correspondent.

Pansy Record Lisbon correspondent.

Pinafore Lisbon Comet correspondent Joe Williams

Pro bono Record Pavilion correspondent W. R. Cole.

Reminiscences Record Newark correspondent John West Mason.

*S* Record Little Rock correspondent James S. Hatch.

S. A. H. Record correspondent Samuel A. Higginbotham.

Saint Elmo Record, Bristol Station correspondent.

Shorthorn Record Plattville correspondent.

Umbra Record Newark correspondent Silas Brainard.

U. R. Strooley Record Oswego correspondent Lorenzo

X. X. Record Fox Station correspondent.

"Z" Record correspondent Miss L. E. Curran.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

 

Historical Encyclopedia Of Illinois And History Of Kendall County, Volume II, edited by Bateman, Newton & Paul Selby, Chicago: 1914.

 

Woman's Work in the Civil War: A Record of Heroism, Patriotism & Patience, by Brockett, L. P., M. D., and Mrs. Mary C. Vaughn, Philadelphia: Zeigler, McCurdy & Co., 1867.

 

Bicentennial History of Kendall County, Illinois, Kathy Farren, Editor, Yorkville, IL: 1976.

 

History of Kendall County Illinois, From the Earliest to the Present Time, by Rev. E. W. Hicks, Aurora, IL: Knickerbocker & Hodder1876.

 

Microfilm roll numbers: Newspapers in the Illinois State Historical Library. Copies may be obtained via interlibrary loan or by purchase from, Illinois State Historical Library, Attn: Newspaper Microfilm, Old State Capitol, Springfield, IL 62701.

 

Kendall County Journal, published at Plano, Illinois

 

Kendall County Record (Record) published at Yorkville, Illinois.

 

Plano Mirror (Mirror) published by John R. Marshall at Yorkville Illinois.

INDEX

 

Abbott, George L. 18

Abby, Henry 14

Abby, Mary 14

Abby, Sarah 14

Adams, E. W., Rev. 29

Adams, Joe 22, 23

Adams, Joseph 8, 9, 13, 22, 23, 29

Adams, Joseph A. 8, 29

Adams, Joseph R. 8, 13, 22

Addis, Mr. 21

Alcom, Harry 8

Aldrich, Delia 28

Aldrich, Delia A. (Southworth) 29

Aldrich, Lyell Thomas 29

Ashley, Stephen 35

Atkinson, Samuel 10

Bailey, C. W. 21

Bailey, Charles W. 21

Baldwin, H. E. 32, 33

Barnes, Arthur 46

Barnes, Harlan P. 46

Barnes, Mr. 23

Bartlett, Samuel J. 33

Beane, Arthur L. 24

Beane, Fred 24

Beebe, Avery N. 20

Beebe, Avery Noyes 20

Bennett, Dr. Isaac E. 20

Bennett, Isaac E. 20

Bennett, Isaac E. MD 20

Benson, Arnold P. 37

Berdine, D. H. 4

Bickel, Donald S. 9, 22

Bloodgood, H. F. 9

Boomer, Martin 44

Bornemann, Louis 10, 40

Boyd, Mr. 18

Boyd, William P. 5, 34

Bridgens, Percy 29, 44

Bridle, Robert 46

Bruer, C. R. 18

Brydon, John 35, 42, 47, 50

Brydon, John A. 24, 29, 36, 50

Buchanan, James 5

Burnham, Mr. 16

Burnham, N. A. 6, 16, 36

Burns, J. R. 16

Campbell, Charles A. 10

Caproni, Grant 14

Castle, M. B. 16

Chappell, Mr. 30

Chappell, Rollo D. 30

Cherry, Ida 31

Cherry, Moses 31

Clark, Abijah 30

Clark, Captain 30

Clark, Charles Spencer 30

Clark, Fred J. 30

Clark, George O 30

Clark, Julia A. (Mead) 30

Clark, Kate M. (Marsh). 30

Clark, Leonard E. 11

Clark, Lillian 30

Clark, Phoebe Ann (Driggs) 30

Clark, William 30

Clark, William H. 4, 30, 31

Clark, William Lee 30

Colledge, Mrs. William A. 39, 40

Cook, Alfred 6, 7, 30, 31

Cook, Alfred W. 31

Cook, Amer 30, 37

Cook, John 37

Cook, Mary Ann (Page) 30

Cook, Millicent 37

Cook, Professor 30

Coolidge, President 36

Cooper, Peter 32

Corbin, D. M. 20

Cotton, Rev. H. A. 18

Coy, Irus 35, 49

Coy, Mr. 35

Crooker, Mr. 10, 26, 42

Darnell, C. A. 22, 23

Darnell, Charles A. 22

Darnell, L. W. 26

Darnell, Mr. 22

Davidson, David 9, 22

Deacon, William 8

Deane, William H. 19

Dilly, H. S. 19

Donaldson, Professor 25

Douglas, Mr. 23

Douglas, Stephen A. 4

Doulton, Mr. 35

Dreier, David 4, 13, 18

Dreier, David E. 4

Dumpling, A. P. L. 4

Dunbar, Izilla (Springer) 44

Dunbar, Levi 25

Dunbar, Mrs. Ed 44

Dyer, Mr. 31

Dyer, Silas 31

Dyer, Silas F. 31

Emmons, Ann Augusta 40

Emmons, Francis A. 40

Farren, Jeff 12

Farren, Kathy 12, 53

Faxon, E. W. 8, 13

Faxon, Edgar 22

Faxon, Edgar W. 9, 13

Faxon, Edgar Wade 8, 31, 32

Faxon, George 9, 16, 22, 23, 31, 32, 47

Faxon, George S. 8, 9, 13, 17, 22, 31, 32

Faxon, Jessie 9

Faxon, Julian Kenneth 32

Faxon, Lillian 32

Faxon, Mr. 8

Faxon, Orson E. 9, 32

Faxon, Walter Stiles 32

Ferris, James 29

Ferriss, \ 24

Ferriss, Eliza M. (Brown) 32

Ferriss, James 24, 42, 50

Ferriss, James H. 32, 33, 35

Ferriss, James H. \ 32

Ferriss, James H. \“Jim\ 24, 33

Ferriss, Jim 32, 33

Ferriss, Mr. 50

Ferriss, William Hazard 32

Ferriss,James H. \“Jim\ 24

Fisk, Charles R. 14

Fisk, George 23

Fletcher, Pearl 39

Foster, W. M. 37

Fox, Helen I. 34

Fox, Nellie (Bailey) 21

Frank, Lowman 36

Frank, Mr. 8, 63

Fuller, Martin L. 6, 16

Fuller, Mr. 16

Gale, William 37

Gardner, Morrison 11

Goodfellow, Dr. 27

Goodfellow, Rev. 27

Goodfellow, William 27

Goodspeed, C. F. 33

Goodyear, Mr. 8, 22

Graham, Bert 23

Gray, Jessie 29

Grimwood, Newton 25, 42

Grimwood, William, Sr. 25

Grippando, Joe 9, 22

Haas, Louis 47

Haigh, Mr. 10

Haigh, William M. 10

Haines, Mr. 18

Hall, Elsie Katherine 33

Hall, Frank 24, 29

Hall, Frank H. 24, 25, 32, 33

Hall, Linus F. 33

Hall, Mary \ 33

Hallowell, Francis P. 14, 15, 33, 44

Hallowell, Mrs. 33

Hanchett

Charles M. 16

Gustavus A. 16

Hanson, LaVerne 11

Harris, W. B. 19

Hicks, E. W. 63

Hicks, Rev. E. W. 4, 15, 53

Hill, Emma Marie (Haigh) 34

Hill, Will 35, 36

Hill, William 42, 47

Hill, William P. 34

Hill, William T. \ 34

Hobbs, Frank 10

Hobbs, Mr. 10, 26, 42

Hoover, Rev. 17

Hopkins, Myron, MD 10, 39

Howe, Titus 4

Humphrey, F. C.. 34

Humphrey, H. S. 5, 34, 43, 63

Humphrey, Hector S. 34

Humphrey, Hector S. (H. S.) 5, 34

Humphrey, Mr. 5, 34, 43

Hunt, Olive E. 32

Ide, D. M. 13

Ingham, Cyrus 12

Ingham, Cyrus B. 12

Jameson, S. H. 4

Kendrick, William Poole, Rev. 35

Kenea, John P. 35

Kletzing, Russell R. 17

Knappenberg, 42

Knappenberg, Mr. 42

Knappenberg, Mrs. 42

Krahn, Ann 18

Krahn, David 4, 13, 18

Krahn, Donald 18

L'Hommedieu, A. 20

Laing, Rev. A. H. 33

Lane, Adelaide 34

Lane, Charles 34, 35, 42

Lane, Charles E. 11, 18, 34, 35, 42

Lane, Edwin 34, 35, 43, 47

Lane, Edwin C. 34, 35, 36, 43, 44, 47

Lane, Emily (Kendrick) 34, 35

Lane, Frances 34

Lane, George W. 34

Lane, Levi H 34, 35

Lane, Lyman 34, 35

Lane, M. W. 42

Lee Brothers 4, 16

Leik, Reverend 37

Leverich, Mr. 26

Lewis, C. A. 37

Lincoln, Alfred 37

Lincoln, Edward 37

Lincoln, Effie M. 37

Lincoln, Effie Mary 36, 37

Lincoln, John 37

Lincoln, Rebecca 37

Lindsey, Mr. 19

Lippold, Ford 4, 18

Lockwood, Charles H. 19, 20

Lovesee, George 16

Lowden, Frank O. 36

Lowman, Frank 8, 36

Lowman, Frank D. 9

Lowman, Frank Davis 7, 36

Lukens, A. J. 16, 17, 23, 36

Lukens, Mr. 23

MacOwan 33

Marley, Effie 9, 36

Marley, Effie Lincoln 37

Marley, Effie M. 6, 7, 8, 37

Marley, F. E. 7

Marley, Frank 6, 37, 63

Marley, Frank E. 6, 7, 8, 9, 21, 37, 38

Marley, Frank Ellsworth 37

Marley, J. M. 7, 8

Marley, Jacob 37, 38

Marley, Jud 6, 8, 16, 21, 23, 33, 38

Marley, Judson M \ 21

Marley, Judson M. 31, 38

Marley, Judson Moses 6, 15, 37, 38

Marley, Louise (Guthridge) 37, 38

Marley, Mr. 8, 37

Marley, Mrs. 37

Marley, Mrs. Effie 36, 37

Marley, Sumner E. 38

Marley, Willis J. 38

Marsh, Charlotte 30

Marsh, Kate M. 30

Marsh, Spencer 30

Marshall brothers 11, 12

Marshall, Augusta (Emmons) 39

Marshall, Bob 12

Marshall, Elsa 41

Marshall, Hugh 10, 11, 36, 38

Marshall, Hugh R. 10, 39, 40, 41

Marshall, Hugh Rice 10, 11, 20, 38, 39, 47

Marshall, J. R. 12, 34, 48, 50

Marshall, John 10, 11, 12, 20, 25, 30, 34, 39, 47, 48, 50

Marshall, John R 11, 41, 50

Marshall, John R. 5, 11, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 29, 30, 31, 32, 34, 35, 39, 40, 41, 43, 44, 46, 48, 50, 53, 63

Marshall, John R., II 11, 41

Marshall, John Redman 10, 11, 40

Marshall, Mary S. 38

Marshall, Mr. 20, 35, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 48

Marshall, Nicholas R. 20

Marshall, Nick 39

Marshall, Pearl (Fletcher) 41

Marshall, Perry 38, 40

Marshall, Robert 41

Marshall, Robert F. 11, 39, 40, 41

Matherly, L. S. 34

Matile, Roger 4, 13, 18, 65

Mattison, Israel 13

Mauser Mary (Marshall) 41

Mauser, Todd 41

McClellan, George B. 40

McClelland, Dr. 39

McHugh, George 36, 41, 42, 47

McHugh, George W. 36, 41

McKaig, \ 47

McKenzie, John 47

McMurtrie, James 31

Meline, Randy 9, 22

Miner, Fred 63

Moon, Reverend 37

Moore, Mr. 26

Morton, William D., Sr. 28

Moulton, Belle G. 33

Nelson, Frank R. W. 33

Nelson, R. W. 32

Newton, S. D. 6

Niblo, Alexander 34

Niblo, Alexander R. 5

Owen, Mr. 8

Page, H. 17

Patterson, Mrs. Harry 37

Perrin, A. D. 34

Phillips, C. B. 43

Phillips, Charles 43, 47

Phillips, Charles B. 17

Phillips, Charley 17, 43

Phillips, Leslie S. 17

Pierce, Hanna 41

Pierce, Jo Ann (Marshall) 41

Pierce, Teresa 41

Pinc, Howard 12, 17

Pinc, Howard J. 9, 12, 21, 41

Pinc, Jeanne 12, 17, 41

Pinc, Jeanne H. 9, 12, 21

Pinnow, Don 19

Powell, Jennie 37

Powell, Mrs. William 37

Powers, Charles 8, 13

Pritchard, Mr. 22, 23

Pritchard, Myron R. 22

Randall, John P. 43

Rank, Lorenzo 43

Rasmussen, P. A. 27

Rasmussen, Peter Andreas 27

Rasmussen, Rev. 27

Read, Mrs. Charles 39, 40

Reynolds, H. W. 12

Rice, John B. 40

Richards, Will S. 43

Richardson, Dick 15

Richardson, J. W. 14, 33, 44

Richardson, J. W. 14, 44

Richardson, Mr. 14

Ricketson, Ella 42

Rounds, Mr. 10

Rounds, S. P. 10, 11, 19

Sanderson, George C. 23

Sanderson, Minnie A. 38

Sayles, J. F. 34

Schneider, Mr. 8, 13

Scofield, Leslie L. 17

Scofield, Lott 15

Scott, Mr. 8, 22

Seely, Frank T. 44

Seely, George F. 33, 44

Sellers, A. 5

Sellers, Abraham Jr. 5, 44

Sellers, Abraham Sr. 34

Sheen, Isaac 28

Sherman, Will 44

Sherman, William \ 29

Sherwood, L. A. 33

Shults, Jefferson 14

Smith, Joseph 27

Smith, Joseph, Jr 27

Smith, Joseph, Jr. 27, 28

Smith, Joseph, Sr. 27

Smith, Lloyd P. 11

Smith, Mrs. Brown 11

Smith, Wilbur 47

Southworth, Delia Augusta 29

Springer, \“Dick\ 42

Springer, C. D. M 44

Springer, California Diana Mary (Mills 44

Springer, Callie 32, 44, 48

Springer, Callie D. M. 6, 15, 20, 24

Springer, Callie M. 32, 44

Springer, Catherine (McMahon) 44

Springer, Dick 25, 32, 45, 48, 50

Springer, Gilbert 44

Springer, James, Jr. 44

Springer, James, Sr. 44

Springer, Mr. 48, 49, 50

Springer, Mrs. 50

Springer, R. M. 48, 49, 50

Springer, Richard 25, 44

Springer, Richard E. 32

Springer, Richard M. 44, 45, 50

Springer, Richard M. 20, 24

Springer, Richard M. \“Dick\ 24

Springer, Richard Marmaduke 6, 44

Springer, Richard Marmaduke 6

Stahl, J. W. 17

Stebbins, Henry 28

Stebbins, Henry A. 27

Steward, Lewis 50

Strossman, F. 17

Sweetland, W. M. 16

Sweigert, James M. 9

Tounshendeau, Henry A 19, 27, 45

Tounshendeau, Henry A. 19, 45

Troll, E. C. 8, 13

Vaughn, Mary C. 53

Vickery, G. S. 18

Virden, Harry 14

Walrath, G. M. 20

Washburn, S. 16

Waterman, R. W. 4

Welch, Mr. 26

West, C. A. 6

Wilkins, Mr. 14

Wilkinson, Mr. 26

Willard, Mr. 26

Willett, Duncan 23

Willett, Mr. 26

Williams, Joe 45, 46

Williams, Joseph 13

Willis, J. V. 18

Winston, Janice 9

Winston, Janice Payne 9, 21

Winston, Kenneth 9, 22

Winston, Kenneth A. 9, 21

Winter, Charles B. 10

Winters, C. B. 42

Winters, Charles 46, 47

Winters, Charles B. 10, 36, 46

Winters, Charley 46

Winters, Mr. 36, 42

Withey, Elsa 41

Wolcott, E. E. 33

Wood, Clark J., Rev. 37

Woodruff, C. E. 33

Woodruff, Mrs. C. E. 33

Wormley, William 18

Wykes, Jack 37

Young, Minnie (Marley) 38

Young, Mr. 6, 27

Young, Will F. 19

Ziemba, Geri 9, 22

Zimmerman, C. D. 37