FREDERICK KETCHAM, editor of the Mason County Republican, Havana; was born in Lisle, Broome Co., N. Y., Nov. 4, 1809, and was educated at Madison University, Hamilton, N. Y., graduating :it that institution in 1830; in 1845, he received the degree of A. B. at Columbia College, D. C., and, two years later, the degree of A. M. at Madison University, New York. He was married, in August, 1837, to Miss Callista Griffith, who was born in Otsego Co., N. Y.. June 17, 1812. In October, 1837, he was ordained a Baptist minister at Saybrook. Conn., and, three years later, removed to Philadelphia, Penn., where he was engaged in ministerial work eight years. He lost his wife in 1846, and, two years after, was married to Miss Elizaboth P. Brower, of Philadelphia, who was born in Pennsylvania Feb. 22, 1821. In July, 1848. he removed to New Haven, Conn., as Pastor of the Second Baptist Church; he attended scientific lectures under Prof. Silliman, Sr., and Prof. Olmstead; he removed to Illinois in 1850, and made his first home at Rock Island; subsequently labored at Galena, Peoria and Pontiac, III.; by an accidental fracture of the left ankle and the general shattering of the nervous system, he was obliged to retire from pastoral work and engaged in business; he first engaged in nursery and general insurance business, and, in 1869, with C. B. Ketcham, his eldest son, established the Delavan Independent, at Delavan, Ill. of which he remained editor till 1873, when he established the Mason County Republican, at Havana, III., of which C. B. Ketcham was publisher, and F. Ketcham, editor. The Republican has now been in existence six years, and has a large and increasing circulation. In connection with his editorial work, Mr. K. has taken a very active interest in the Sunday school work of Mason Co., and, in 1876. was elected County Secretary of the Sunday School Association, which position he still holds.


Maintained by Mason County Coordinator Donna Mayer