Untitled Document

"The Record," the first paper published at Aledo, was established by James H. Reed and Horace Bigelow, the first number being issued July 14, 1857. These gentlemen came from Oquawka where they had been publishers of the "Plaindealer," which they had sold to Messrs. Magie & Mitchell. The new material for the publication of the "Record" was purchased in Chicago, transported by rail to Rock Island, and from there hauled across the country to Aledo.

Mr. Reed continued as editor while Mr. Bigelow. who was the junior member of the firm and a practical printer, had charge of the mechanical department. The paper at the start espoused the cause of the Republican party, and was one of the first papers in the country to place the name of &brahain Lincoln at the head of its editorial column for the office of President, which it did October 18, 1859. The firm of Reed & Bigelow continued unchanged until September 1, 1862, when Mr. Reed sold his interest to Mr. Bigelow and removed to Monmouth, being afterwards connected with newspaper business there.

Mr. Bigelow thereafter continued the publication alone for four years, employing Mr. John Porter, from Cleveland, Ohio, as editor and chief compositor. Mr. Porter proved himself so acceptable to his employer that, on September 1, 1866, a partnership was formed under the title of Porter & Bigelow. This partnership continued without interruption until May 1, 1885, when Mr. Porter, desiring to take his sons into the establishment, bought out his partner, who retired from the paper after a connection with it of nearly twenty-eight years. During all this period the paper was published without the loss of a single issue, the issue of a half-sheet, or the use of "patent insides." Mr. Bigelow has a complete file of the paper covering the period of his connection with it, which is highly valued as a depository of local and po litical history.

Mr. Porter's editorial career was a notable one. He never shirked the du ties incumbent upon him, and had few equals as a political writer in the State. He spent sixty-four years in the printing-office, was a keen observer of events during his long career and a close student of political history. Possessing a retentive memory, he was able to call his reader's attention to dates, men and measures often sought for and only imperfectly reported in history. Thus equipped, he was qualified to meet strong opposition in a political contest where history is- often distorted to meet temporary requirements. In his editorials he contended for principles; at the same time, he was a true and fearless friend in politics and private life. He deplored newspaper quarrels as senseless and useless, and, while seeking none, no one who antagonized his party principles, or assailed him personally, was allowed to escape without proper rebuke.

The advent of the "Record" came at an opportune time in the history of the Nation. Besides -giving its support to the principles of the newly organized Republican party in National, State and county campaigns, and accurately forecasting the popular demand by its early endorsement of Abraham Lincoln as a candidate for the Presidency, during the Civil War and the reconstruction period which followed, it was equally zealous in support of the cause of an unbroken Union and its permanent restoration.

On May 1, 1885, as already stated, Mr. Bigelow sold his interest in the "Record" to Mr. Porter and his sons Moses W. and James A. The latter remained but a short time, while Moses W. continued as partner with his father until the winter of 1896,when the paper was united with the "Aledo Times," the consolidated plant receiving the name of "The Times-Record." Upon his retirement in failing health, Mr. Porter devoted his time, by way of amusement, to horticultural pursuits, but without losing his interest in public events, of which he kept himself thoroughly informed until his death, January 10, 1897.

History of Henderson and Mercer Counties

Illinois Ancestors