Authors - Knox County Historical Society

John W. White

(1814-1865)

John W. White was one of the interesting journalistic persons in Knox County, Ohio, during the 19th century. He was born in Vermont and came to Knox County about 1840. Little information is available regarding his family.

He was active in community affairs, including the beginning of the first Knox County Historical Society, which was formed in 1849. For a few years (1849-1852) he edited The True Whig newspaper in Mount Vernon. John White died in Mount Vernon in 1865.

Frank Hunt Hurd Roberts

(1869-1937)

Frank H. H. Roberts was an educator with interests in history and government. He was born in Mount Vernon, Ohio, in 1869. He attended public schools in Knox County, and in 1892 he graduated from The Ohio State University. For a few years he was engaged in teaching and administration in Fredericktown and Centerburg, also in Knox County. In 1896 Roberts married Luella Hanna. There were two sons, one of whom was also a writer.

Lecky Harper

Lecky Harper was one of the outstanding journalists of the 19th century, and he lived the last half of his life in Mount Vernon, Ohio. He was born in Ireland in 1815, the son of Hugh and Catharine (Long) Harper. The family migrated to the United States when Lecky was five years old. After the father's sudden death, the Harper family moved to Ohio in 1926. Lecky's early education was in the country schools of Jefferson County.

He developed an early interest in journalism and history, and he worked for newspapers in Steubenville, Ohio and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Lecky also studied law and was admitted to the bar. In 1844 he married Eliza A. Mercer. The Harpers had nine children.

In 1853 Lecky purchased the Knox County Democratic Banner and the family moved to Mount Vernon.

Amelia Jenks Bloomer

(1818-1894)

One of the most colorful and controversial persons with a Knox County connection was Amelia Bloomer. The connection between an article of women's clothing and Amelia's last name is obvious, but the real interest is the person herself. Amelia Jenks was born in Homer, New York, in 1818, the daughter of Ananias and Lucy Jenks. The family moved to Seneca Falls, New York, where Amelia was educated in the common schools. At age 17 she taught school and did private tutoring. She married Dexter C. Bloomer, a lawyer, in 1840. Mr. Bloomer was a Quaker with controversial ideas about social reforms. He also published a newspaper, the Seneca Falls County Courier, for which Amelia wrote articles about slavery, temperance and women's rights.

James F. Lee, Jr.

(1905 - ? )

James Lee was a journalist and news reporter during the middle 20th century. He was born in Mount Vernon, Ohio, in 1905. After high school he worked as a reporter for the Mount Vernon Daily Banner. He graduated from Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. and moved to California, where he became a journalist for the Los Angeles Examiner. Back in Washington, D.C. during the 1940's, Lee worked for the Washington Bureau of the International News Service. In 1962 he became associate editor of the US News and World Report.

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