S. S. KNOLES, editor, Petersburg; was born in Gibson Co., Ind., March 20, 1840, and during his early life, obtained a fair education. He came to Illinois, with his father, in 1846; he read law with N. M. Broadwell, of Springfield, for a time, then with Hon. T. W. McNeely, of Petersburg, and was admitted to the bar in 1869. During the late war, he enlisted with the 114th I. V. I., and served three years as Sergeant. During his service, he participated in many of the most severe battles of the war, and was severely wounded. He lay a prisoner for several months at Andersonville, and at Mobile. In 1865, he was elected Treasurer of Menard Co., and re-elected in 1867, serving four years. In 1870, he was elected to represent Cass and Menard Cos. in the Twenty-seventh General Assembly. In July, 1878, he became one of the proprietors and editors of the Petersburg Democrat, which was established by C. Clay, in 1859, as the Menard Axis. In 1868, it was purchased by a joint-stock company, and edited by one M. B. Friend, and then took the name of the Petersburg Democrat. In 1871, E. F. McElwain became editor and proprietor. In 1877, A. E. Mick became the proprietor and editor, continuing such until Mr. Knoles became a partner, since which time it has been under the exclusive control and editorial management of Mick & Knoles. It has a large and flourishing circulation. In politics, Democratic.