Untitled Document

HENRY COUNTY NEWS

The Henry County News, of which Henry L. Kiner is editor and sole proprietor, is published at Geneseo. The material for the office was purchased in January, 1874, by H. V. Fisher and H. M. Belvel. Fisher is still a citizen of Geneseo, and in the hardware business. Belvel wandered into Iowa , published several papers and finally went to sea. Fisher & Belvel got out the first issue on January 16, 1874 . The outfit was then sold to Henry L. Kiner. The latter sold a third interest to his broth er, Samuel R. Kiner, and a third interest to John Christian, an Englishman, who had recently come from London .

Within the first year H. L. Kiner and Christian bought the interest of S. R. Kiner. The firm was known as Christian & Kiner for four years. Kiner then bought Christian's interest. The latter, after a short time, went to Chicago , where he is now engaged in business on West Madison Street . S. R. Kiner is in Washington, D. C., and is a clerk in the War Department.

The paper, which is now (1885) in its twelfth volume, has been a successful publication financially, after the first two years, which were full of thorns and briars. A half dozen preceding papers had utterly perished from the face of the earth, taking their departure from Geneseo. They were conducted in the main by practical printers and experienced writers. H. L. Kiner, who has been from the beginning the leading spirit of the paper, commenced its publication when a mere boy of 22 years of age.

He had previously had a little experience in writing for the press, but of the practical workings of a newspaper office knew nothing whatever. He didn't know which end of the types the letters were on, or which end of the press the papers went in ; but he had a large share of self-reliance, and with that element of strength, proceeded to hammer away at the task of making for himself a destiny, and a permanent place in newspaperdom for the Henry County News.

His failure was predicted by everybody ; his success was believed in by nobody— except himself. Mr. Kiner's case is one in which the many were wrong, the one was right.

In the spring of 1883 Mr. Kiner sold the paper to H.J. Eaton, whose previous occupation was that of hardware merchant. Mr. Kiner went to Peoria, and conducted the city department of the Peoria Daily Journal until the fall of 1883, when he was obliged to return to Geneseo, owing to the want of success attending the administration of Mr. Eaton, and took the paper off the latter's hands to prevent its suspension. Under Mr. Kiner's management the paper at once resumed its old character and attained its previous success. On returning to the publication of the News Mr. Kiner added largely to the material of the office, putting in a first-class outfit of steam machinery. It is now one of the best equipped offices in Western Illinois.

Portriat and Biographical Album of Henry County

Submitted by W. Caudell

Illinois Ancestors

111606BMKF