David Felts Collection
Title
David Felts Collection
Subject
Felts, David V. (David Virgil), 1900-1984
Journalist
Newspaper editors
Newspapers
Editorials--Authorship
Editorials
Illinois--Decatur
Description
David Virgil Felts, a Decatur, Illinois, journalist, was born on January 31, 1900, in Marion, Illinois. Following high school graduation, Felts entered the University of Illinois at Champaign. In college Felts became the “Campus Scout,” the author of a humorous column about college happenings. This position at the university was also held by Gene Shalit, Allen Sherman, and others who later pursed careers in broadcasting and journalism.
After receiving an A.B. from the University of Illinois in 1923, Felts became a reporter for the Louisville (Kentucky) Courier Journal. From 1923 until 1926, he worked as a sports editor for the Illinois State Register in Springfield, Illinois, and then served briefly as a United Press reporter. Following a year of post-graduate study at Harvard University, Felts returned to Springfield in 1928 and became an editorial writer and columnist.
In December 1935, Felts joined the Lindsay-Schaub chain of newspapers as an editorial writer and moved to Decatur, Illinois. He became editorial page editor for the Decatur Herald and Review in 1958 and two years later, he was editorial page editor for the entire Lindsay-Schaub chain. Felts also wrote his own column, called “Second Thoughts.” The column contained folksy reminiscences about past events and observations on current affairs.
Felts officially retired in 1967, but he continued to write his column three times a week for the Lindsay-Schaub newspapers. The column ran until Felts’ real retirement at the age of seventy-five. In 1975, Felts moved to Ft. Pierce, Florida, with his wife. Felts died in March of 1985.
Felts, who was interested in local and state history, was a long time member of the Illinois State Historical Society. He served as Society director from 1980 to 1983 and was elected vice-president in 1983. In July 1958, Felts was appointed by Governor William G. Stratton to the Illinois Lincoln Sesquicentennial Commission. Felts was also active in the Friends of the Decatur Public Library, serving as a trustee for the Library from 1951 to 1960 and as president of the board of directors from 1953 until 1955.
The finding aid for the David V. Felts Papers, 1908-1978 at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum may be found at: http://alplm-cdi.com/chroniclingillinois/items/show/215.
Photographs in this collection include several images of David Felts at his desk and with newspaper colleagues, group photos of Decatur civic organizations Felts was a member of, and aerial photographs of Springfield, Illinois.
After receiving an A.B. from the University of Illinois in 1923, Felts became a reporter for the Louisville (Kentucky) Courier Journal. From 1923 until 1926, he worked as a sports editor for the Illinois State Register in Springfield, Illinois, and then served briefly as a United Press reporter. Following a year of post-graduate study at Harvard University, Felts returned to Springfield in 1928 and became an editorial writer and columnist.
In December 1935, Felts joined the Lindsay-Schaub chain of newspapers as an editorial writer and moved to Decatur, Illinois. He became editorial page editor for the Decatur Herald and Review in 1958 and two years later, he was editorial page editor for the entire Lindsay-Schaub chain. Felts also wrote his own column, called “Second Thoughts.” The column contained folksy reminiscences about past events and observations on current affairs.
Felts officially retired in 1967, but he continued to write his column three times a week for the Lindsay-Schaub newspapers. The column ran until Felts’ real retirement at the age of seventy-five. In 1975, Felts moved to Ft. Pierce, Florida, with his wife. Felts died in March of 1985.
Felts, who was interested in local and state history, was a long time member of the Illinois State Historical Society. He served as Society director from 1980 to 1983 and was elected vice-president in 1983. In July 1958, Felts was appointed by Governor William G. Stratton to the Illinois Lincoln Sesquicentennial Commission. Felts was also active in the Friends of the Decatur Public Library, serving as a trustee for the Library from 1951 to 1960 and as president of the board of directors from 1953 until 1955.
The finding aid for the David V. Felts Papers, 1908-1978 at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum may be found at: http://alplm-cdi.com/chroniclingillinois/items/show/215.
Photographs in this collection include several images of David Felts at his desk and with newspaper colleagues, group photos of Decatur civic organizations Felts was a member of, and aerial photographs of Springfield, Illinois.
Collection Items
David V. Felts Reads The New York Times
David V. Felts reads The New York Times at his desk during his time as editorial page editor for all publications of Lindsay-Schaub Newspapers.
David V. Felts, Head of Lindsay-Schaub Editorial Writers
David V. Felts looks at the camera while sitting with a copy of The New York Times during his time as editorial page editor for all publications of Lindsay-Schaub Newspapers.
David V. Felts Holding a Newspaper
David V. Felts sits with a copy of The New York Times during his time as editorial page editor for all publications of Lindsay-Schaub Newspapers.
David V. Felts, Herald-Review Editorial Writer
David V. Felts poses for a portrait wearing a dark suit.
David V. Felts
David V. Felts reviews notes at his desk shortly after being promoted to editorial page editor for The Decatur Herald and Review.
David V. Felts
David V. Felts reads The Des Moines Register at his desk during his time as editorial page editor for all publications of Lindsay-Schaub Newspapers.
Pablo Casals and The Carletons
Pablo Casals (center) meets with Robert Carleton Smith and his wife. On verso: "San Juan, Puerto Rico - Pablo Casals offers wedding congratulations to Mr. & Mrs. Carleton Smith of New York, who visited the master cellist in his San Juan home…
David V. Felts at the Daily Egyptian Offices
David V. Felts sits with his head in his hand during a visit to the Daily Egyptian newspaper offices at Southern Illinois University, Carbondale. Felts paid visit to the staff of the school newspaper during his time as editorial page editor for all…
David V. Felts at the Daily Egyptian Newspaper Offices
David V. Felts speaks during a visit to the Daily Egyptian newspaper offices at Southern Illinois University, Carbondale. Felts paid visit to the staff of the school newspaper during his time as editorial page editor for all publications of…
David V. Felts at the Daily Egyptian Offices
David V. Felts visits the Daily Egyptiannewspaper offices at Southern Illinois University, Carbondale. Felts paid visit to the staff of the school newspaper during his time as editorial page editor for all publications of Lindsay-Schaub Newspapers.
David V. Felts Visits theDaily Egyptian Offices
A photographer captures David V. Felts during a visit to the DailyEgyptian newspaper offices at Southern Illinois University, Carbondale. Felts paid a visit to the staff of the school newspaper during his time as editorial page editor for all…
Watson Gailey, M.D.
Watson Gailey, M.D. of the Gailey Eye Clinic in Bloomington poses for a picture in Hawaii. Beneath photo: "Even under Hawaiian skies everyone knows the wizard of ize."
Frederick W. Schaub
Major F. W. Schaub of the Army Air Corps poses for a portrait during his service in World War II. Schaub would later become Chairman of the Board of Lindsay-Schaub Newspapers Inc.
A Joyous Christmas to Felts!
A silhouette decorates a Christmas greeting card from Sam Tucker, editorial writer and columnist for the Decatur Herald, a Lindsay-Schaub Newspaper.
John Valentine
John Valentine, a businessman, book seller, and collector, examines a book from his vast collection. On verso: "John Valentine sits on the arm of the leather chair in his library looking at one of the 15 volumes in his valuable set of Washington…
Edward A. Weeks and Emily Flint
Edward A. Weeks, Editor-in-Chief, and Emily Flint, Managing Editor of "The Atlantic" sit for individual portraits. On verso: "Co-editors of JUBILEE: ONE HUNDRED YEARS OF THE ATLANTIC, to be published October 28 1957 by Atlantic-Little, Brown. Price:…
Yale University Marching Band
The Yale University marching band performs at the Yale Bowl as lead by Rudy Valle.
Harvard University Marching Band
The Harvard University marching band performs during the Harvard versus Dartmouth football game.
Harvard University Marching Band
The Harvard University marching band performs at the Harvard versus Dartmouth football game.
State Capitol
An aerial view shows the Illinois State Capitol building and surrounding area in Springfield.
David V. Felts, Head of Lindsay-Schaub Editorial Writers
David V. Felts reads The New York Times at his desk during his time as editorial page editor for all publications of Lindsay-Schaub Newspapers.
Collection Tree
- Illinois Photographic Collection
- David Felts Collection