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One of the earliest journalists in our family -- whose coverage helped influence a critical presidential election which saved our nation during the Civil War -- was William Taylor Davidson, husband of Lucinda M. Miner.
The Davidsons resided in Lewistown, Fulton County, IL, where William, overcoming the physical handicap of a withered arm, was editor and publisher of the Fulton Democrat newspaper. In 1858, William covered the famed Lincoln-Douglas debates between future presidential candidates Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas. Two years later, Lincoln won that election, but with only 39.8 percent of the vote, as compared with Douglas' 29.5 percent, leading to the secession of Southern states from the Union.
The 1890 book, Portrait and Biographical Album of Fulton County, said that the "Fulton Democrat, the leading paper of this county, has exercised a marked influence on the affairs of this section of Illinois, and even of the entire State, not only professionally, but as a progressive, public-spirited citizen, and has aided in guiding its political destiny, as well as in guarding and advancing its dearest interests materially, socially and morally."
Lucinda and her parents, Francis and Myra (Jordan) Miner, originally were from Columbus, Franklin County, OH.
Copyright © 2007 Mark A. Miner