The Moline Workman.

The first newspaper in Moline was started by Amos Smith, Aug. 21, 1854 , and was called the Moline Workman. It was politically anti-slavery. Smith rented his office of James Chapman, then a lawyer and banker in Moline son-in law of Mr. John Deere. Mr. Chapman always had a warm side for newspapers, and has written a good deal for them especially for the Workman, and later for the Citizen, as well as other papers.

Amos Smith had a clear head, was genutl, kind-hearted, and very generally esteemed by all who knew him. Poor health and failing eye sight compelled him to relinquish an occupation he was much attached to, and in 1857 he sold out to Graham & Webster and returned to his kinsmen and home in New Jersey . He was never married. He nearly or quite lost his eye sight, and a few years afterwards died, much regretted by many warm friends

Portrait and Biographical Album of Rock Island County

Submitted by W.Caudell

 

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Illinois Ancestors

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