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JACKSON L. HAMMOND. Prominent among the live, up-to-date newspapers of Southern Illinois is the Anna Democrat, published at Anna, Union county, a weekly publication with a large circulation which wields a large influence in its section of the state. This paper's rapid growth and the high standard attained by it, has been brought about by the efforts of its capable editor and general manager, Jackson L. Hammond, who holds an enviable position in Illinois journalism. Mr. Hammond is a product of the East, having been born in Hagerstown, Washington county, Maryland, in 1865, and was brought to Illinois by his parents in 1867 the family spending three years at Forreston, Ogle county, where his father had a charge as Lutheran minister, and five years at Shuey's Mills, Wisconsin, where young Hammond first attended school. He then spent two years at Sharon, Wisconsin, and twelve years at Princeton, Iowa, and took a two-year classical course at Carthage, Illinois. Mr. Hammond first entered the newspaper business with Joseph Gill, at Murphysboro, Illinois, where he learned the details of making up a successful sheet, but left that connection to become chief clerk at the Illinois Southern Hospital for the Insane at Anna. After four years, during which time he had an excellent record as a public official, Mr. Hammond took charge of the fortunes of the Anna Democrat, both in the editorial and advertising lines, and in his operations has been exceptionally successful, building up the circulation of the paper and giving its advertisers such good returns for their money as to increase its patronage exceedingly in that line.
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The Anna Democrat aims to give its readers the best news, local, national and international, to be accurate in every statement made and to keep its 2,160 subscribers fully informed as to what is going on around them and in the outside world. Its editorials have been timely, interesting, virile and snappy, and the humorous features of the news have not been overlooked. Although his journalistic duties have been heavy and have demanded a great deal of his attention, Mr. Hammond has found time to act in a public capacity, and the confidence and esteem in which he is held by his fellow townsmen was evidenced during the last election, when he was unanimously elected clerk of Anna, it being the sixth consecutive time he has held this office. His political views are those of the Democratic party, and he is recognized as a leader, not only as a citizen who has ever been ready to work hard in the ranks of his party, but as the able editor of a newspaper that does much to influence a large number of people to its views. Mr. Hammond is a self-made man, the success which he has attained having come through the medium of his own hard, persistent efforts. Fraternally, he is connected with the Court of Honor, and his progressive spirit caused him to be instrumental in organizing the Commercial Club of Anna, of which he was secretary the first two years.
On September 11, 1894, Mr. Hammond was united in marriage with Miss Martha Aden, of Dongola, Illinois, and they have had two children, both of whom reside at home: Mary Frances, aged thirteen years; and Josiah, who is ten years old.