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But the Semi-Weekly was not what our intelligent, reading loving people wanted, and in September 1893, the MT. CARROLL DAILY DEMOCRAT was launched, as a experiment. From an experiment it grew to be a necessity with our people, and to-day is one of the permanent features of the city. It was the first daily paper to be published in Carroll County and is one of the seven wonders, as people abroad do not understand how it can live in a city of but 2,500 people. We have on our pay roll the following named persons:
Besides these we have an army of correspondents from various parts of the country.
For nearly eight years the DEMOCRAT has been published from the upstairs rooms on Market Street over W. S. Stiteley’s grocery store, but in a few days we will move to the new Snook building on Main Street, where we will occupy the main floor. Instead of a greasy, smoky, noisy steam engine our presses will be run by a water motor from the well known house The Chicago Water Motor and Fan Co. When we get moved we will have one of the finest offices in Carroll County, one that can be kept clean. Being on the ground floor it is easy access, no stairs to climb, and will be as a first-class daily should be, down where people can see it. We invite all our friends to call when we get moved, but loafers will not be tolerated. We have had too much of that in the past. We pay our workmen for working and they do not wish to be annoyed by a lot of fellows who are talking or making “pi” of type. This means all who do this.
Dr. Baldwin has practiced in Mt. Carroll for over 3 years, and has an office in the Bowman building, over Cole’s jewelry store. He was married in Jan., 1895 to Miss Olive Holmes and together they live with their grandmother, Mrs. D. F. Holmes in their beautiful new home on Main Street. Dr. Baldwin enjoys a good practice, is a genial gentleman, progressive and in for anything that will benefit his home town.
J.H. Myers
was born near Plattsburg, N. Y. May 14, 1837; received his education in the public schools. At the age of 16 started to learn the carriage making business which he followed until he was 22 years of age, when he was appointed an officer in the military prison at Dennemora, N. Y. which he held from 1861 until 1869, in which year he came west stopped for a time in Bay City, Mich. And Minneapolis, Minn., thence to Rockford where he worked at his trade until 1875, when he moved to Lanark. Here he followed his trade as long as his health permitted. While in Lanark he held the office of tax collector for a number of years. In 1894 he was elected county treasurer by a large vote and is now satisfactorily filling that position. Mr. Myers was twice married; Jan. 1, 1872 he was married to Miss Josephine Brockway at Rockford, but the wife lived only four months. In Feb. ‘74 he was again married, this time to Miss Elizabeth Copeland, and together they now live in their cozy residence on Rapp Street. Two children were born to them but both are dead. Mr. Myers has always been a staunch republican and is a candidate for county clerk, on the republican ticket at the coming election.
Mr. William P. Robbe was born at Waterloo, Ill., Feb. 22, 1843 and came to Mt. Carroll with his parents in 1846. He attended the public schools of Mt. Carroll, and Sept. 14, 1861 enlisted in Co. E. 45th Ill. Inf., serving until Aug. 15, ‘63, as a non-commissioned officer. Mr. Robbe was a soldier who saw active service, being in the battles of Fort Henry, Fort Donelson, Pin Hook, Tenn., Corinth, Shiloh, Port Gibson, Raymond, Jackson, Miss., Champion Hills, White River and Vicksburg. During the latter battle, while storming the breastworks on May 22, ‘63, Mr. Robbe was short through the bowels and left on the field for dead. Afterwards he was found by comrades, tenderly cared for and after months of suffering in the hospital at Jefferson Barracks, he recovered. He was honorably discharged Aug. 15, 1863 and came home. He was married in the fall of ‘63 to Miss Sarah E. Watson, to whom 9 children were born. He has been honored with public offices for years. Was constable for more than 20 years, city marshal for 15 or 16 years, truant officer of the public school, and fire marshal. He was elected sheriff in ‘94 and as in every instance is filling the office in a satisfactory manner.
James Manly Phelps was born April 3, 1858 at Warren, Ill. Converted in childhood. Joined the West Wisconsin Conference of the Methodist Episcopal church in 1886, having served several years as a local preacher. In 1891 he was transferred to the Rock River Conference. He was married Nov. 21, 1883 to Miss Olive M. Billig of Fennimore, Wis. Their family consists of one son and two daughters. Mr. Phelps graduated from the Northwestern University School of Law, class of ‘78, and from the Garrett Biblical Institute, class of ‘90. Mr. Phelps has been pastor of the Mt. Carroll church less than six months during which time the church as been visited with a gracious revival. Of the 160 who have professed conversion, over 00 have already united with the Methodist church, making it one of the strongest churches in Freeport District.
H. B. McCracken was born at Mt. Carroll May 1, 1846. He attended the Mt. Carroll public schools and the Seminary. Was married to Miss Frances M. Trail, to whom 4 children were born, Charles, Nettie, Della, and Hazel. Nettie was married Oct. 12, 1893 to John E. Marley. Mr. McCracken was raised on a farm and has always followed that occupation, combining it , however, since 1876, with buying and shipping horses, in which business he has been very successful. Mr. McCracken is a busy man, no one ever seems him idle, is always doing something, and doing it well.
Was established by the present editor, Cal M. Feezer, May 16, 1890, and from an insignificant plant costing $900, has grown to where its type, machinery, etc, has cost $6,000. The paper was established as a semi-weekly and soon took precedence over the slow weeklies. Its subscription list grew steadily and at present 3400 copies of the semi-weekly leave the office every week and are read by people from Maine to California and from Duluth to the Gulf, as well as in foreign countries. There are few if any states in which the SEMI-WEEKLY Democrat does not circulate.
Lew H. Feezer book keeper, superintendent of subscription and night reporter.
Marvin B. Pryce, solicitor and reporter.
Jonas Huffer, engineer
D. O. Blake, foreman of job department, reporter, solicitor, and collector
A. B. Hollinger, foreman of composing room and Compositor
R. E. Patton, night foreman and compositor
Dean Feezer
Frank Irvine
A. B. Feezer, night pressman and compositor, Jesse Stiteley, Carroll Bucher, Harry Hoover, carriers;
Subs. Art Bawden, F. A. Rinedollar, and Rube Winter
Harry Stiteley, day pressman and compositor
Michael Markley was born in Fyatt county, Pa., Oct. 18, 1823. His parents removed to Ohio, near the present site of Oberlin in 1824 and in 1837 came to Fulton county, Illinois and settled near Canton. He came to Carroll county in 1851 and in 1861 was married to Miss Mary E. Petty. Three children were born to them, two sons and one daughter. Mr. Markley has always been a republican in politics, but was never an office seeker. He has held the offices of highway commissioner and school director, however, and is one of the most highly respected citizens of Carroll county. He owns three fine farms, and is yet an active gentleman despite his 76 years of life.
Attorney, John E. Hall was born Jan. 14, 1868. Received a common school education. Served an apprenticeship in the mechanical department of the B. C. R. & N. Ry., at Cedar Rapids, Iowa, of five years duration, which occupation he followed until 1893, when he came to Mt. Carroll, where he commenced the study of law with Attorney Fred S. Smith, and completed his course in the office of Renner & Smith. He was admitted to the bar in 1896, and the same year was elected Police Magistrate of this city, which office he ably fills. He is also Public Administrator of Carroll County, to which position he was recently appointed by Governor Tanner. He was married to Miss Nancy Robbe. He is one of our young men with a bright future before him.
Bert L. Clark was born in Toronto, Canada and came to the United States when 18 years of age, settled in Chicago, where he secured a position with the Abbott Buggy Co., as carriage trimmer. He worked in a number of cities at his trade. He was considered pretty fast on foot and was with the Edgerton hose team in 1894-5, where he won a reputation of being a sprinter. He came to Mt. Carroll in 1895, where he has remained ever since. He here developed into one of the fastest foot racers the world ever saw, and has won a reputation in Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, and Iowa, twice winning the Illinois championship medal at the State Tournament. In 1897 he was vice-president of the State Firemen’s Association. At present he is traveling salesman for the Beaver Shirt Co., of Chicago, and is successful in every particular. He has many friends all over the state, makes Mt. Carroll his headquarters and gets home every few weeks.
Charles Mitchell, one of the tonsorial artists in Geo. E. Leigh’s shop, is a native born Mt. Carroll gentleman who first saw light of day on July 16, 1877. Charlie has always been a hustler. When attending school he started a mile route on his own, calling on the patrons before the school bell rang. Two years ago he started to learn the barber trade with the result that he is to-day one of our best and most reliable barbers. He is a steady workman, of good habits and a desirable man in anybody’s shop. We predict for the young man a successful and useful future.
Supervisor William E. Nipe was born in Mt. Carroll Township in 1868. His education was gleaned in the rural schools and from practical experience in transactions with mankind. He has always been interested in politics and for eight or nine years has been the member of the Mt. Carroll republican town committee. For two years was our member of Republican County Central Committee. In 1897 he was elected supervisor by a large majority and is demonstrating that confidence was not misplaced when he was chosen. He is a member of the Co. Farm Committee, Swamp Lands Committee and Committee on Official Bonds. He was married in 1891, to Miss Jennie B. Markley, with whom he lives three miles southwest of town. Mr. Nipe has been appointed Crop Reporter for the Agricultural Department at Washington, D. C., the State Agricultural Department at Springfield and for the Farmer’s Review.
Dr. D. H. Baldwin was born in Virginia in 1870. Attended school at the University of Maryland, where he graduated in Dentistry in Mch. 1891 and was awarded a gold medal for best cohesive gold operator in his class.
Mr. John A. Bender was born in Pennsylvania; he came to Mt. Carroll in 1888 and entered the employ of C. E. Grove, in the merchant tailoring business. He was married to Miss Elsie V. Cluck of this city in 1893; they have one child. In January, 1897 Mr. Bender purchased the tailoring establishment of Mr. Grove and has since that time been identified as one of Mt. Carroll’s enterprising young business men. He is progressive in everything, up to date and modern. His place of business is patronized by our best people and satisfaction is always given. Mr. Bender is one of the men who is helping make Mt. Carroll one of the best cities in Illinois.
