One of the leading magazine publishers of to-day, Samuel Sidney
McClure, was born in County Antrim, Ireland, February 17, 1857. Being
an ambitious youth, he naturally turned to America, “the land of
opportunity.” By his own earnest efforts he succeeded in securing a
liberal education, being graduated from Knox college, Illinois, in
1882, obtaining the degree of A. M. in 1887. September 4, 1883, he
was married to Harriet, daughter of Professor Albert Hurd, of Knox
college, Galesburg, Illinois. He established, in November, 1884, a
newspaper syndicate, and in 1893 he founded McClure’s Magazine, which
ranks among the most popular periodicals of the day. His national
reputation is largely due to this enterprise. His executive ability
has made him the president of the S. S. McClure Company, and he has
been a trustee of Knox college since 1894. Mr. McClure has discovered
and recognized a human need, and by filling that need is realizing his
well-merited success.