WILLIAM A. HUBBARD, who in public office has demonstrated his right to rank with the representative citizens of Greene county, and who is now engaged in the publication of the Carrollton Gazette, the oldest publication in southern Illinois, was born ten miles west of White Hall, in this county, December 17, 1864. His parents, William and Martha (Kline) Hubbard, were born and reared in this county, and were here married. The father acquired his education in a log schoolhouse near White Hall, school being conducted on the subscription plan. His parents removed from Kentucky to Illinois in the winter of the "deep snow", 1830-31. William Hubbard, reared to the occupation of farming amid the wild scenes of environments of pioneer life, carried on agricultural pursuits throughout his active business career, and in 1889 he retired to enjoy a well earned rest. He took up his abode in Carrollton, where he and his wife are now living. He has been a life long Democrat, having supported that party since casting his first presidential vote. For thirty-five years he has been a member of the Baptist church. He has taken an active and helpful interest in public affairs from pioneer times down to the present and his labors have contributed to the general progress. Unto him and his wife were born ten children and with the exception of the youngest all are yet living.

William A. Hubbard attended the district schools of Greene county until 1882, after which he spent a year as a student in the White Hall high school and three years in the Carrollton high school, being graduated from the latter in the spring of 1886. During the succeeding four years he was engaged in teaching in the district schools, proving a capable teacher, with ability to impart clearly and concisely to others the knowledge he had acquired. In 1890 he received the Democratic nomination for the office of county superintendent of schools, and was elected to that office by the largest majority ever given a man in the county. He served for four years in a most acceptable manner, the public school system being improved under his administration, and was then elected county clerk in 1894. Following his first term of four years he was re-elected, and in 1902 he retired from the office as he had entered it, - with the confidence and good will of all concerned, for he had ever been prompt, faithful and efficient in the discharge of his duties. In the meantime Mr. Hubbard had purchased of Thomas D. Price a half interest in the Carrollton Gazette, and took possession January 1, 187. He is still connected with this paper and is one of the editors and publishers. The Gazette was established in 1846 and is the oldest newspaper having a continuous existence, in southern Illinois. Under its present management it has become a most creditable paper to Greene county, with a large circulation so that it is a good advertising medium. Mr. Hubbard's interest in the general welfare is deep and sincere and is manifest in a tangible way in helpful effort. He is now serving for the second term as president of the board of education and the public schools of Carrollton find in him a warm friend. On the 16th of September, 1897, Mr. Hubbard was married in Carrollton to Miss Grace V. Squire, a daughter of Dr. James Squire, a resident physician of this city. Her mother who bore the maiden name of Martha Braden, died when Mrs. Hubbard was quite young. Mrs. Hubbard attended the Carrollton high school for three years, and for one year was a student in the Illinois Women's College. There is one daughter by this marriage, Martha Helen, born February 17, 1900.

Mr. Hubbard is a valued member of several fraternal organizations. He has belonged to Carrollton lodge, No. 342 I.O.O.F., since 1887, is also a member of Carrollton encampment, No. 80 I.O.O.F. and has been representative to the grand lodge of the state for three years. He is likewise a member of the Elks lodge, at Alton, Illinois, the Modern Woodmen of America and at one time was affiliated with the Knights of Pythias. A wide acquaintance has brought to him many friends and he stands today as one of the prominent and influential residents of Greene County.