Biography - Moses S. Smith
Moses
S. Smith, the genial and talented editor of the Newman Independent, was born
July 19, 1869, a son of George W. Smith, and was raised at Newman, the place
of his birth. In 1887 he and his brother, A. B., who had been connected with
the mechanical department of the Independent, purchased the paper,
succeeding C. V. Walls, who removed to Arcola, where he edited the Arcola
Record for a time. It has now been twenty-six years since the first copy of
the Newman Independent was issued.
During all these years the Independent has tried to chronicle all the events of interest transpiring in the town and vicinity, as well as a synopsis of those occurrences in adjoining towns, the state and nation. It has striven to represent the best interests of the community and assist as much as possible towards building up the town. The efforts of Mr. .Smith have not been in vain, proof of which is the large and increasing circulation of the paper. The paper has grown from a puny infant to strong and well developed manhood, owing largely to the generous patronage given it by the progressive business men of the town and county. The Newman Independent was first instituted in April, 1873, by Cicero V. Walls. He experimentally conducted it for six months and then suspended it for a year, when he resumed its publication. In 1882-83 the paper was leased to Carl H. Uhler for about a year, during Mr. Wall's absence from Newman. On his return he again assumed control with John W. King, who was postmaster at the time, as assistant editor. In 1884 he again leased it to A. B. Smith, his foreman, while he went to Paris and took charge of the Paris Beacon. M. S. Smith, since he has succeeded to the entire control of the paper, has added materially to its mechanical completeness by the purchase of two new job presses, also a new four-horse power gasoline engine, and on April 1, 1900, the paper came out in an entire new dress, and is now one of the cleanest and newsiest local newspapers in Illinois.
Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Isabelle Root, a daughter of D. O. Root, of Newman. They have two children, Hughes Blake and Harriet Elizabeth. Mose Smith, as he is generally known by his friends, is one of the most accommodating and agreeable gentlemen found in this county, and in business is an all-round hustler.
Extracted 12 Apr 2017 by Norma Hass from the Historical and Biographical Record of Douglas County, Illinois, published in 1900, pages 155-156.
