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WALTER CLYDE SHOUPE. An enterprising and successful journalist, Walter Clyde Shoupe, editor of the Constitution at Carlyle, and a member of the firm of T. D. Shoupe & Sons, publishers, is widely known throughout Clinton county in connection with his paper, which has the distinction of being the only Democratic paper published in Clinton county, Illinois. He was born at New Athens, Saint Clair County, Illinois, March 25, 1876, where his father, Theodore David Shoupe, was then living. His grandfather, Abram Shoupe, a native of Pennsylvania, married Catherine Tannehill, who was born and bred in Kentucky, and in 1830 settled in Belleville, Saint Clair county, Illinois, becoming a pioneer of that locality.
One of a family of seven children, Theodore David Shoupe was born in Belleville, Illinois, November 24, 1837. In his youthful days he learned the printer's trade in the office of the Belleville Tribune, which was then edited by his brother, William H. Shoupe, but was later conducted by G. A. Harvey. Becoming proficient at the trade, he went to Tamaroa, Perry county, Illinois, and there published the True American. In 1871 he purchased the New Athens Era, in Saint Clair county, and published it three and one-half years, after which he worked at the case in the office of the Republican, at Saint Louis, Missouri. On July 4, 1881, he bought a half interest in the Constitution and Union, at Carlyle, Illinois, and conducted it, in partnership with R. D. Moore, until 1885. From that time he was in partnership with R. H. Norfolk until Mr. Norfolk's death, in 1892, when he bought out the heirs of his former partner. Admitting then to partnership his two sons, under the firm name of T. D. Shoupe & Sons, he changed the name of the paper to The Carlyle Constitution, under which it has since been conducted. He has made the paper thoroughly Democratic in its principles, and the public has shown its appreciation in a gratifying way, its circulation being large and eminently satisfactory. Although he has outlived the appointed three score and ten years of man's life, Mr. Shoupe is still active both mentally and physically, and puts in full time each day in the office of his newspaper. He is indeed a veteran journalist, and is distinguished as the oldest editor in Southern Illinois.
Fifty-three years ago, in 1858, Mr. Theodore D. Shoupe was united in marriage with Louisa J. Moore, who was born in Saint Clair county, Illinois, of pioneer parents, and of the children born of their union five daughters and two sons are living, both of the sons being associated with him in the publication of the Constitution. Mrs. Shoupe is a faithful member of the Baptist church, and Mr. Shoupe was formerly a member of the Knights of Honor.
Walter Clyde Shoupe was educated in Carlyle, being graduated from the Carlyle High School with the class of 1890. He immediately began work in his father's printing office yielding, no doubt, to a natural tendency toward journalism. His natural ability in that line brought him rapid promotion, and a few years later, as above stated, he and his brother were both made members of the publishing firm of T. D. Shoupe & Sons, and have retained their connection with the Constitution. The Shoupe family have been associated with the newspaper world for sixty or more years, and the journal which it is now editing is one of the very few Democratic papers of the state which has faithfully supported the principles of the party at all times.
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Walter Clyde Shoupe is an intelligent, progressive journalist, and as a stanch Democrat in politics is chairman of the Democratic County Committee. He is now rendering excellent service as master in chancery of Clinton county, and is president of the Carlyle Board of Education. Fraternally he is a member and master of Scott Lodge, No. 79, Ancient Free and Accepted Order of Masons.