MELPHUS E. DRUM, local editor of the Sentinel, at Centralia, is especially fitted for the position which he holds, and through his efforts the business of the paper has greatly increased.
Mr. Drum was born July 30, 1854, in Greene County, this state, and is the son of John and Theodosia (Mclvin) Drum, the former of whom is also a native of the above county, and was born in 1835.
The father of our subject was a farmer by occupation, and at his death, which occurred in July, 1891, left a valuable estate. He was an ardent Democrat in politics, and in his religious belief was a Missionary Baptist. His wife preceded him to the better land, dying in September, 1889; she was likewise a Baptist in religion.
Melphus E., of this sketch, was the eldest in the parental family of eight children, his brothers and sisters being named respectively,
Of those who are living, John and Albert are engaged in farming in the state of Oregon, and Rufus resides in Bushnell, ILL.
The early life of our subject was passed on his father's farm, and his education was conducted in the common and high schools of Greenfield. When reaching his majority he entered the Gazette office at Carrollton, and for three years served an apprenticeship at the printer's trade. At the end of that time, being fully qualified to conduct a paper of his own, young Drum went to Carlyle, this state, and purchased the plant of the Constitution and Union from his old employer, T. D. Price, now of the Gazette. Mr. Drum then formed a partnership with H. Case, an old newspaper man, to whom he sold his interest in June, 1880. He then edited and published the Carlyle News for the succeeding two years with fair success.
After disposing of the News, our subject came to Centralia, in 1883, and accepted a position on the Weekly Democrat. In November of that year, the Daily Times was established by J. R. Caskey, by whom our subject was offered the position of foreman of the composing room, and later was made local editor. The following February the plant was sold to the proprietors of the Sentinel, and Mr. Drum being thus thrown out of work went to Odin and conducted the Journal for three years.
In 1887 he returned to Centralia and formed one of the editorial staff of the Sentinel, with which paper he is still connected.
November 26, 1881, Melphus E. Drum and Miss Ida B., daughter of William S. and Annie (Mc Gurdy) Marriott, were united in marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Marriott were natives of Canada, and were residing in Carlyle at the time of their daughter's marriage.
The union of our subject and his wife has been blessed by the birth of one daughter, Helen V.
In politics Mr. Drum is an active, enterprising Republican.
Socially, he belongs to Camp No. 397, M. W. A., at Centralia.
Source: "Portrait and Biographical Record Clinton, Washington, Marion and Jefferson Counties, Illinois"
Chapman Publishing Co, Chicago, 1894
Pages 361 - 362
Submitted by Sandy (Whalen) Bauer