Untitled Document

THE INDEPENDENT

The Henry County Dial was the second paper started in the county. We have already noticed that it was the office of the Gazette, taken to Kewanee, where it arrived August 15, 1855 . J. H. Howe was engaged as editor for one year. Sept 13 following the office and material were sold to C. Bassett, a practical printer, who assumed control of the business and mechanical management, which he retained until June 12, 1856 , when he sold the office to Mr. Howe and to Mr. H. M. Patrick. Nov.13 Mr. Howe retired from the paper, transferring his interest to Mr. Patrick, who soon afterward associated with him Mr. Oliver White, who retired on Jan. 8, 1857 . Mr. Patrick was succeeded a few months later by Mr. L. D. Bishop, who published the paper some two or three years, when he was succeeded by Mr. J. E. Wheeler, one of the original founders of the Chicago Tribune.

Mr. Wheeler, an estimable man and able writer, published The Dial some six or seven years, and retired in December, 1866, on account of failing health. From the retiracy of Mr. Wheeler, The Dial changed hands at short intervals, passing through the hands of Oliver White, Hiram Wyatt (associated with him for a short time a Mr. Shurtleff) and Geo. W. Wilson, who sold it after a brief proprietorship to N. W. Fuller, who changed the name to the Kewanee Radical. Mr. Fuller be came the owner of the paper probably early in 1869, and continued its publication until in May or June, 1870, when he failed, and the paper ceased to exist.

The material of the office was purchased by C. Bassett, and on July 1 commenced the publication of his present paper, under the title of the Kewanee Advertiser, but which six months later he changed to The Independent, which he has published continuously to the present time without missing a single issue. Mr, Bassett is the oldest printer and editor in this part of the State, having commenced his apprenticeship in the town of Towanda, Pa., in March, 1833, and since March, 1840, has almost continuously been connected with some paper as editor and publisher.

Portriat and Biographical Album of Henry County

Submitted by W. Caudell

Illinois Ancestors

111606BMKF