Illinois newspaper directory. History of the Illinois press association

Illinois Newspaper Directory and History-STERLING GAZETTE: Established 1854 by Charles Boynton. D. W. Grandon,editor, general manager, and president of the Sterling Gazette Company, Inc., owner.Sterling, population, 10,013. Located on the Rock River in Whiteside County,5 miles northeast of Rock Island. C. & N. W.; C. B. & Q. R.R.'s. Hennepin Canal.Abundant water power. Manufactures agricultural implements,hardware, bolts, rivets, and wire. Milk condensary; creamery; iceand cold storage plants. Diversified farming.The Gazette was first known as the Sterling Times, and waspurchased from Mr. Boynton in 185 5 by H. G. Grattan and A. A.Norwood. Norwood and Goodrich were the next publishers untilL. D. Crandall purchased the paper in 18 56, with William Hydeacting as editor for a year. Worthington & Biggart next boughtthe Times, selling the press and equipment to H. G. Grattan, whochanged the name to the Sterling Gazette. William Caffrey startedthe Sterling Republican in 18 56, and he and Mr. Grattan combinedtheir papers in 1858 as the Republican and Gazette. Walter Nimocksbought Mr. Grattan's interest, later moving to Kansas. ShortlyD. W. Grandonafter Mr. Caffrey restored the name of Gazette, which has sincecontinued. In 1861 a company headed by C. M. Worthington acquired control of thepaper, Mr. Worthington soon buying out the other interests and publishing the Gazetteuntil 1870, when he sold to George Terwilliger. Later Mr. Worthington again securedfull control, selling a half interest to W. F. Eastman in 1873, who became sole ownerin 1876. In July of that year he sold a half interest to D. J. Jenne, the two selling toChalkly John and William R. Cobb, 1880. Dennis T. Kelly and John W. Lee purchasedthe stock in 18 86, but were not successful, and Mr. Eastman was made receiverfor the paper until 18 87. Since that date the owners have been Chalkly John andHugh L. John, Chalkly, H. L., and Maurice D. John until 1903, when Orville P.Bassett and the Sterling Publishing Company became the publishers, changing the namesoon afterwards to the Sterling Gazette Company. Maurice D. John became the principalowner of the stock, which he later sold to George D. John, executor of the estateof Martha A. John, who sold it to D. W. Grandon, the present editor and publisher,April 1, 1915. The Sterling Daily Standard was purchased by Mr. Grandon in 1916and combined with the Gazette. The first attempt to publish the paper as a daily wasmade by Eastman and Jenne in 1878. After continuing as a daily for several months, thepaper reverted to weekly issues until 1882, when C. John and W. R. Cobb re-establishedit as a daily, which it has remained ever since. The Gazette is Republican in politicalaffiliation.Circulation, 7010.Advertising rate: local, 63c; foreign, 63c.Subscription rate: local, $4.00 (mail); foreign, S7.00; 20c per week (carrier).404