WILLIAM I. LARASH, editor and proprietor of the Rushville Citizen, a weekly newspaper devoted to the interests of the people, is a native of Pennsylvania, born at Allentown, Lehigh county, October 2, 1851. His father, Isaac Larash, was also a native of the Keystone State, and his grandfather was descended from the French Huguenots; the latter was a planter by occupation, and passed his life in Pennsylvania; the father learned the tailor's trade, and carried on that business at Catasauqua, Pennsylvania; thence he removed to Illinois in 1852, and followed his trade in this State for several years. He finally purchased a farm in Spring Lake township, Tazewell county, and still resides there. He married Esther Ann Kildare, a native of Pennsylvania, who still survives. They are the parents of nine children: John, Elizabeth, Lucinda, William I., Mary, Charles, George I., Addie M. and Walter. Our subject was the infant when the family began their life upon the frontier. He was reared and educated in Pekin, Tazewell county, and at the age of fourteen years went to learn the printer's trade; he served an apprenticeship of two years in the Republican office; this occupied him four or five months, and then he made a journey to the plains on a buffalo hunt. He was next located in Nebraska, where he followed his trade for a time; thence he went to St. Louis, and then home. He devoted some time to agriculture, and afterwards returned to his trade; he was on the Peoria Evening Review; an injunction was served on them, and the name was changed to the Peoria Injunction. Mr. Larash was connected with this paper a short time, and then was in different cities until 1875, when he came to Rushville, and took charge of the Citizen office. In 1879 he purchased the entire outfit with the good will of the paper, and has since managed its publication. He has a job office in connection, and has won a wide patronage.

Mr. Larash was married March 21, 1878, to Emilia Ann Horney who was born in Littleton township, Schuyler county, Illinois, July 16, 1857, a daughter of Lenodias and Jane (Crawford) Horney. To them three children have been born: Lenodias H., Lizzie H. and Winnie J. Politically, Mr. Larash affiliates with the Republican party, and was a delegate to the State Convention in 1880. He is a member of Rushville Lodge, No. 9, A.F. & A.M., Rushville Chapter, No. 184, R.A.M., and to Rushville Commandery, No. 56, K.T. He and his wife are earnest members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, joining that society in 1877, since which time he has been a class-leader.