Untitled Document

THE CHRONICLE

The Chronicle, published at present by Chapman Brothers, who are about the youngest newspaper men in the county. W. O. and J. H. Chapman are bright and clever young men thorough workmen in their line, and as managers aud proprietors possess all the secrets of success that opens for them a most promising future. Their paper is second in age and second in size of the county papers, but it is only in these respects that the Chronicle takes a second place among the country papers in this portion of Illinois, The issue of the paper of Oct. 8, 1885, is Vol. 27, No. 49, a nine column folio, teeming with sparkling local items, well-written general editorials, and, what is most delightful to a publisher, paying advertisements.

The history of the Chronicle claims a lineal descent from the Gazette, started in 1853.

In the latter part of 1857 a stock company, composed of Judge Joseph Tillson, Dr. A. A. Dunn, V. M. Ayres and Henry W. Wells, purchased the oufit of the Galva Watchman, which was removed to Cambridge, and the first number of the Henry County Chronicle, an eight column folio, was soon issued, with Dr, A. A. Dunn as editor.

In the year 1860 Messrs. L. H. Patten and U A. Dennison leased the office, and they continued, Mr. Dunn as editor, until 1881. In that year the latter entered the army, and Mr. Patten purchased Mr. Dennison's interest, assuming entire editorial control, which he held until 1866, when he was succeeded by Messrs. Everett & Casson. The latter gentleman conducted the paper until May 28, 1867, when it passed into the hands of Mr. George C. Smithe.

In March, 1878, the paper was supplied with a complete new dress and the name changed to simply the Chronicle, Mr. Smithe remained in charge of the paper until Oct 24, 1878, upon which date his valedictory appeared, and Mr. C. A. Arnold, of Blufiton, Ind., assumed editorial control. The latter remained but a short time, however, and May 22, 1879, Mr. Smithe, who had been in Colorado during the winter, returned and repurchased his paper.

On April 5, 1883, Mr. P. F. Powers, of Davenport, Iowa, who had managed the Chronicle for a few months during the absence of Mr. Smiihe in Washington, D. C., purchased an interest in the paper, and the firm was known as Smithe & Powers.

On Feb. i, 1885, W. 0. and J. H. Chapman purchased the paper from Smithe & powers, and are the present editors and proprietors. The Chronicle has always been Republican in politics.

Portriat and Biographical Album of Henry County

Submitted by W. Caudell

Illinois Ancestors

111606BMKF