The Moline Republican.

No newspaper was printed in Moline from 1862, when the Independent ceased to exist, until 1865; but late in that year William H. Jenkins started a six-column paper there, called the Moline Republican. It was Republican in politics, and the town being in need of such a paper, it prospered. In 1867 it was enlarged to an eight-column paper, and in June of that year Mr. Jenkins sold the establishment to Capt. Haverstick, who closed the office, and Moline was again without a newspaper.

Mr. Jenkins is supposed to have been a native of Kentucky , but learned the printer's trade in Galena . He then worked some time as a journeyman, and then entered Knox College . He was poor, and taught school occasionally to earn money to complete his studies; but not being able to go on with the course, he left and obtained work at his trade in Springfield . He there studied law in Mr. Lincoln's office, and was admitted to the Bar and opened an office. Not succeeding, he returned to his first trade. He was well educated and was a good writer. In 1856, he went to Davenport , and during the Presidential campaign of 1860 he aided in editing the Daily Review, a Democratic paper in Muscatine , Iowa .

In 1861, he came to Rock Island and worked in the Argus office. In 1865 he started the Moline Republican, selling it in 1867 and going to Des Moines , Iowa , where, in connection with Clint Parkhurst, he purchased the Statesman. The enterprise was not a success, and he returned to his home in Moline much broken in health.

 

Portrait and Biographical Album of Rock Island County

Submitted by W.Caudell

 

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Illinois Ancestors

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