STANDARD ATLAS
OF
SCOTT COUNTY, ILLINOIS
1903
Geo. A. Ogle & Co.Publishers & Engravers
134 Van Buren St.
Chicago
Transcribed by Larry Fearneyhough
Page 112
Journalism at Bluffs is represented by E. D. Beird. He was born at Warsaw, Illinois, December 14, 1870. His education was received at the public schools of that city. In 1887 he concluded to learn the printing business, went to Burlington, Iowa, that spring and commenced as "devil" in the office of the Saturday Evening Post. Here he remained about six months and then returned to Warsaw and worked that winter. In the spring of 1888 he came to Winchester, Scott county, and finished his trade under P. R. Nelson in the office of The Winchester Times.
In 1890 he left Winchester and returned to Warsaw and a little later went to Colorado, where he spent the greater part of three years. During his trip he also spent considerable time in Arizona and Texas, but the larger portion of his time at Pueblo, Colorado. In the fall of 1893 he returned to Winchester and took charge of the Bluffs department of The Winchester Times, there being a branch office of the paper in that village. This arrangement continued until 1897, when he purchased The Bluffs Times, put in a new outfit and launched upon the community an exclusive Bluffs paper. Mr. Beird is owner of the plant and is editor and proprietor of the paper there.
November 25, 1896, he was united in marriage with Miss Louellen Hamilton, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Hamilton of Naples. To them one son, Roy, has been born.
Politically, Mr. Bierd is a democrat - has always been one - and an active worker in the party. He has conducted his paper in the interest of the party and early and late has worked for party success.
Mr. Beird is at present president of the village board of Bluffs, and is the second time serving the people in that capacity. "Death to blind tigers" has been his motto and by his close attention to municipal affairs has succeeded in ridding Bluffs of that species of pests. He looks carefully after whatever he is doing and what he does, does well. He is a Master Mason, being the first candidate initiated by the Bluffs, lodge. Mr. Beird is working hard for his town, has labored for it in season and out of season, and justly merits the esteem in which he is held by his fellow-townsmen.