Pearl M. Hollingsworth. A newspaper which has had a fine and vitalizing influence in its community is the Fisher News, of which Mr. Hollingsworth is editor and proprietor. This publisher and editor is a journalist from the ground up, had his first acquaintance with the printing trade when a boy and has done much to develop the power of the press in this section of Champaign County and has made his paper indispensable to business men, farmers and citizens generally.
Mr. Hollingsworth is a native of Vermilion County, Illinois, where he was born December 20, 1890. He is the youngest of three children, two sons and one daughter, born to Henry and Anna (Martin) Hollingsworth. The daughter, Delia L., is the wife of Howard Barnes, a well known evangelist living in Waukesha County, Wisconsin. The older son, Charles T., is a very successful evangelist and now ranks among the first in that profession in America. During the great revival which moved the country of Wales from center to circumference he was an active worker in that field.
The father of these children was born in Illinois, had a common school education, and is now living at Arrowsmith in McLean County. He is a blacksmith by trade. His lineage goes back to England. He was born about 1852, has always been an ardent Republican and is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows Lodge at Metcalf, Illinois, and belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America. His church is the Christian. His wife was born in Illinois, was educated in the common schools, and was a member of the Methodist Church.
Pearl Hollingsworth had his first experience in a printing shop as a printer’s devil at the age of thirteen. Being without means to attend school, he took this as a resource in order to pay his way and gain experience, which would prove valuable to him in later life. Throughout his career he has stood on the platform of honesty and integrity. His first experience as a printer was with the religious magazine Metropolitan Church Association. He was there three years, and after that he put in practice the modern idea of continuing vocational education by attending school half a day and working half a day. He also did a great deal of study in his room and has always applied himself earnestly to the mastery of the many subjects which are essential to a practical newspaper man.
About October, 1905, Mr. Hollingsworth found employment with the well known firm of R. R. Donnelley & Sons at Chicago. Though only fifteen years of age at the time he was soon made “lock up” and “stone man” and assistant superintendent of his department. Though one of the youngest in the establishment he had some very taxing responsibilities. He was with that firm sixteen months, and then returned to the Metropolitan Church Association, which was then published at Waukesha, Wisconsin. He became foreman in the composing room. This publication was one of the largest business concerns in Waukesha City. In October, 1907, Mr. Hollingsworth went to Detroit to become identified with a large firm of that city, but in the panic of 1907 nearly all the force was discharged and he among them. He continued a resident of Detroit until August, 1908, when he went back to Waukesha and was there about a year and in 1909 entered the service of the American Tag Company at Chicago. He was there about two years and for a time was with the printing firm of Rogers & Hall, where he remained until 1912. On account of illness Mr. Hollingsworth was then compelled to leave the confining duties of city life and he came to Fisher, Illinois, to recuperate. This town has been his home since 1912 except for the portion of a year he spent with the Rantoul News at Rantoul. On returning to Fisher he went to work with the Fisher Reporter, and remained there until the present paper, The Fisher News, was established on May 8, 1913. Mr. Hollingsworth secured the full support of all the merchants of Fisher, and through the cordial cooperation of his fellow citizens has made the Fisher News a power throughout the northwestern section of Champaign County. The News is a weekly publication, six column quarto, and would be a credit to any county in Illinois. The circulation is fully represented in the surrounding country. In the equipment is a fine Diamond press. The paper is published independent in politics.
Mr. Hollingsworth married June 4, 1914, Miss Edna B. Armstrong, daughter of J. B. and Anna (Boskill) Armstrong, who are now living at Fisher. Mrs. Hollingsworth was educated in the common schools of McLean County. She is an active member of the Christian Church of Fisher and belongs to the Domestic Science Club. Politically Mr. Hollingsworth has worked with and has been a factor in the Republican party. His first vote was given to Colonel Roosevelt for President. He is now serving as clerk of Brown Township. Fraternally he is active in Lodge No. 704 of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Fisher and belongs to the Camp of the Modern Woodmen of America at the same place. His church is the Christian denomination. Mr. Hollingsworth was one of the leading spirits in the organization of the Community Welfare Association and served as its secretary two years. This association is composed of merchants, business men and all members of the community in and around Fisher who are truly interested in and willing to work for those objects which can only be accomplished by community cooperation. The membership now includes about seventy. Mr. and Mrs. Hollingsworth stand very high in the estimation of all the people of Fisher and they have well earned a place of esteem in the locality.