E. B. Stiles, as editor and proprietor of the Ransom Review, is a worthy representative of the journalistic interests of this section of Illinois. On the 17th of March, 1899, he took charge of his paper, which was founded by a Mr. Ford and was known as the Ransom Republic. Later the name of this journal was changed to the Ransom News, and it was edited for a number of years by J. H. Brown, now of Blair, Nebraska, who sold out to Mr. Stiles. When this change occurred the present name was adopted, and the Ransom Review has steadily gained favor with the public. It is a bright, newsy sheet, devoted to local interests, and to the circulation of domestic and foreign news. It is an excellent advertising medium and has a splendid patronage along that line. Its circulation list includes more than four hundred names, and the paper is now in a prosperous condition. The office is well equipped for turning out a high grade of newspaper and job work and the owner is well worthy the liberal support of the public.
Mr. Stiles has been a resident of the county since 1881. He was born in Mendon township, Monroe county. New York, in 1836, and with his parents removed to Boyd's Grove, Bureau county, Illinois, in his youth. There he was reared and educated, and after attaining to years of maturity he married Miss Sarah Wilson, of Bureau county, who was born in Peoria, Illinois. Four children grace their union: Harry C, who was formerly connected with the Review, but is now a resident of Chicago; Minnie, wife of G. G. Hoover, express messenger for the Santa Fe Railroad Company at Streator, Illinois; Charles L., a railroad bill clerk at Streator, Illinois; and Ray E., of Ransom, who was a soldier in the Spanish-American war, as a member of Company A, Third Illinois Infantry, under command of Colonel Bennett.
In politics Mr. Stiles is independent, supporting the measures which he believes will best advance the country's interests, and voting for the man whom he thinks will execute those measures. He is a prominent member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, with which he has been connected for more than thirty years, and for three terms has been a representative to the grand encampment of that society.
Extracted by Norma Hass from Biographical and Genealogical Record of LaSalle County, Illinois published in 1900, volume 1, pages 16-17.
| Lee | DeKalb | Kane |
| Bureau |
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Kendall |
| Putnam | Grundy | |
| Marshall | Woodford | Livingston |
