Biography - William H. Fagen
WILLIAM H. FAGEN, the gentleman whose name is at the head of this
sketch, is the editor and proprietor of the Stewardson Clipper, and is a man
of recognized intellectual and literary ability, besides having a keen
business instinct and tact, that have done much to build up a reputation for
his organ in the town. Mr. Fagen is versatile in his turn of mind, having
been engaged successfully in several different kinds of business. He is of
Irish ancestry and is noted among his confreres for the wit and geniality
common lo the Irish race.
The original of this sketch was born in Shelby County, near the county seat,
April 24, 1861. He is a son of Michael and Margaret (Sherlock) Fagen, both
natives of Ireland, who came to the United States in early life, meeting and
marrying in Shelby County. He of whom we write was born on a farm but was
reared in Shelbyville, where he received his education. When about seventeen
he entered the office of the Shelbyville Democrat, filling the humble
position of office boy, or what is commonly known in the printing
fraternity, as "printers' devil." He remained in this office for six years
during which time he was advanced to the position of foreman of the office.
He then engaged in a restaurant and grocery business at Shelbyville. Later
he went to Cowden where he clerked in a store. In 1887, he came to
Stewardson and founded the Clipper, a five column quarto sheet, published
weekly, and devoted to the interests, both social and commercial, of
Stewardson and vicinity. The paper is neutral in politics.
Our subject's mother died at Shelbyville, October 2, 1888. The father still
resides at Shelbyville. The family was composed of five children, who are
Mary, John, Andrew, and Michael, besides our subject. Mary is now the wife
of David Burkhart. They are all residents of Shelby County. Mr. Fagen has
eschewed the estate of a benedict, never having married, therefore his
biographical sketch is not so lengthy as is that of many of our subjects
whose careers are chronicled in this Record, because their history is
largely that of the domestic life. Doubtless he of whom we write has had his
romance, few, if any there are, who have lived past years of maturity, who
have not. The original of our sketch is a Roman Catholic in his religious
belief and training, being a devout member and generous supporter of the
same. For one year he held the position as Marshal of the village of
Stewardson, and discharged the duties of the position to the satisfaction of
all concerned.
Extracted 09 Apr 2018 by Norma Hass from 1891 Portrait and Biographical Record of Shelby and Moultrie Counties Illinois, page 477.
