Age has seemed no bar to a successful career in the case of Henry
Ross Etter, owner and publisher of the Weekly Transcript, who was born
in South Palmyra, Macoupin county, on the 17th of July, 1882. He is of
German exti action on the paternal side, his great-grandfather, Henry
Etter, having been a native of the fatherland, where he engaged in
farming for a time. He came to Virginia in 1783, and later located in
Tennessee, where he married Miss Eliza Parks, a native of Anderson
county, that state. In 1826 he came to Illinois, locating in Green
county, near Carrollton, where he entered land at one dollar and a
quarter per acre. Thereon he erected a log cabin, which remained his
home for about a decade. The year 1836 witnessed his arrival in Macoupin
county. He settled in Western Mound township where he erected a good
dwelling in which he resided until the time of his death in 1853. He was
numbered among the early settlers of this county. His son, Henry Etter,
Jr., was born in Anderson county, Tennessee, May 14, 1820, and was but
five years of age when brought to Illinois by his parents. He was reared
amid pioneer conditions and remained with his parents until his
marriage. He was a hatter by trade, but purchasing land from the
government he located upon it and made his home in a log cabin for a
number of years. This was prior to the introduction of the railroad into
this territory and he was compelled to drive to Alton to obtain
provisions and market his produce. He continued his residence in
Macoupin county until his death, covering a period of sixty years. Miss
Estereen Elizabeth Davidson, a daughter of Ellis Davidson, became his
wife and both of them were natives of Kentucky. The father was a son of
Rev. John Davidson, a Baptist minister of Greene county, Illinois, who
also engaged in farming for a time. His son, Ellis Davidson, was reared
in the state of his nativity but passed his last years in Christian
county, Illinois. Mrs. Estereen Etter, the grandmother of Henry Ross
Etter, was a very skilled spinner and wove all of the cloth for the
family use. By her marriage to Henry Etter, Jr., she became the mother
of four children, as follows: George, who married Miss Mary C. McCoy;
James, the father of our subject; Smith, who wedded Miss Julia R. Range;
and Elijah, who married Miss Kate Hulse.
James Etter, father of
Henry Ross Etter, was born in South Palmyra township, Macoupin county,
on the 21st of July, 1848, and in the district schools of this county
acquired his education. He remained on the home farm until after his
marriage, when he took up his abode on one of his father’s farms. He was
a well known figure in political circles of this county, giving stalwart
support to the democratic party, and for a number of years served as
constable, road commissioner, township clerk and collector and assessor
of the township. He was married, on the 30th of October, 1873, to Miss
Julia F. Richie, also a native of this county and a daughter of Eli W.
Richie. Unto this union were born six children.
Henry Rose
Etter, whose name introduces this sketch, was the fourth of his family
in order of birth, and in the common schools of Palmyra acquired a
preparatory training, passing through consecutive grades until
graduation from the high school. He also had the advantage of study at
Drake University, at Des Moines, and made the best possible use of his
opportunities for mental training. His first step in the business world
was as a teacher, being engaged in that profession for four years and
then, at the expiration of that period, he turned his attention to the
printing and newspaper business. In 1903 he became employed as editor
and manager of the Weekly Transcript at Palmyra, and his time was thus
occupied until the 1st of March, 1909, when he purchased that paper of
which he has since been the owner and publisher. It is a well known fact
that the progressive journal has much to do with shaping thought and
action and the editor who closely studies the signs of the times may
stand in a position of leadership in relation to many public affairs and
projects. This Mr. Etter has fully realized, and in the publication of
his paper has introduced such a policy as is making the Transcript a
potent force in the community for improvement and advancement along
various lines.
On the 18th of May, 1905, Mr. Etter was united in
marriage to Miss Laura G. Thompson, a daughter of Samuel Thompson,
deceased, who during his active lifetime followed the occupation of
farming. Unto this union have been born two children, Florence Evelyn
and Lorton Dale.
The religious belief of Mr. Etter is that of
the Christian church, while fraternally he is identified with the Odd
Fellows Lodge, No. 348, of Palmyra, of which he is serving as district
deputy. In his political views Mr. Etter has been a lifelong democrat
and has taken an active and helpful interest in the party work, serving
as clerk of South Palmyra township. He stands at all times for that
which is progressive in citizenship, never permitting a feeling of
partisanship to affect the just policy of his paper nor the loyal
performance of public duties. In all relations of life he has been found
reliable and trustworthy, and although numbered among the younger
business men of this locality, has already won an enviable place for
himself among the influential and representative citizens of North
Palmyra township.
Extracted 18 Nov 2018 by Norma Hass from History of Macoupin County, Illinois: Biographical and Pictorial, by Charles A. Walker, published in 1911, Volume 2, pages 699-700.
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