Illinois State Democrat

City: Springfield

County: Sangamon

State: Illinois

The Illinois State Democrat was a Democratic newspaper in Springfield, Illinois. James J. Clarkson and other supporters of President James Buchanan established the paper to combat Stephen A. Douglas and his followers in Illinois. Clarkson was the publisher, and Elliot B. Herndon was named the first editor. The first issue appeared on July 17, 1858. Originally published as a semi-weekly, the paper became a weekly, and in July 1859, Clarkson published the first daily edition. In February 1860, Clarkson sold his interest in the paper, and the firm Russell & Kreigh became the publisher. Samuel G. Nesbitt became publisher in March 1860. Nesbitt left the paper in November 1860, and the remaining proprietors ceased its publication.

Daily Illinois State Journal (Springfield), 19 July 1858, 3:1; 6 July 1859, 3:1; Illinois Daily State Journal (Springfield), 18 February 1860, 3:3; 23 March 1860, 3:2; 15 November 1860, 3:2; History of Sangamon County, Illinois (Chicago: Inter-State, 1881), 237; Franklin William Scott, Newspapers and Periodicals of Illinois, 1814-1879, vol. 6 of Collections of the Illinois State Historical Library (Springfield: Illinois State Historical Library, 1910), 324.