The Union Democrat

On July 1, 1854, the first edition of The Union Democrat was published by Albert N. Francisco in Sonora, California.^[1] Corrydon Donovan became editor in June 1855,^[2] and was succeeded by Otis Greenwood in 1856.^[3] Francisco maintained ownership until his death in March 1867.^[4][5] D.C. Francisco then put the business up for sale.^[6] Charles Randall was a proprietor for a time.^[7]

John A. Van Harlingen started work at the Democrat at age 12 and when on to edit if for forty years.^[8] In 1912, John Van Harlingen was sued for libel by rival publisher A.D. Duchow, who owned the Republican-affiliated Tuolumne Independent. Duchow sought $25,000 in damages.^[9] After his death in 1928 at age 60, his brother F.W. Van Harlingen became the sole owner.^[8] In 1938, John C. Fuller bought the paper from F.W. Van Harlingen. Fuller leased the paper for a three year period to Donald I. Segerstrom and Ray Miners.^[10]

Segerstrom operated the paper for 15 years until selling it in December 1953 to husband-and-wife Hugh R. and Ruby Louise McLean.^[11] Two years later the paper was acquired from the McLeans by Luther E. Gibson, a state senator who owned the Vallejo Times Herald.^[12] Gibson expanded the paper to a daily. In June, 1958, the Union Democrat purchased and absorbed rival paper the Sonora Daily.^[13]

In April 1959, the paper was purchased by Harvey C. and Helen McGee, who previously owned the Placerville Times.^[14] Harvey McGee operated the paper for 33 years his death in January 1998.^[15] In May 1998, Helen McGee sold the paper to the Oregon-based Western Communications.^[16] In 2019, the company declared bankruptcy, placing all of its properties, including The Union Democrat, up for sale. The Union Democrat was sold to RISN Operations.^[17]