WILLIAM CASS BRILL

Sacramento County

Biographies

WILLIAM CASS BRILL

WILLIAM CASS BRILL.--Not every day does a public-spirited citizen have such a chance both to serve his fellow-citizens and to attain local, if not general popularity, as has been granted William Cass Brill, the editor of the “Elk Grove Citizen.” He hails from Illinois, having first seen the light at Hampshire, on April 24, 1875, when he entered the family circle of John and Martha (Seippel) Brill. His father was a business man, who made it a practice to engage in what he believed he was best fitted for, and what he knew he could manage with success, and who adopted such principles as guaranteed to the patron the square deal, and to himself the reputation of an honest man; and like his devoted wife, who was beloved by all who knew her, he left an enviable record for usefulness to the world.

Having finished the grammar grades, William Brill tackled the high school course and learned many things of permanent value. Then, like so many ambitious lads, he began at the bottom to learn the printing business in his home town. Beginning at the bottom as “devil,” he worked his way through the various stages until he became a part-owner and editor of the “Hampshire Register;” his partner being his brother, F. R. Brill, now of Roseville, Cal., then the postmaster of Hampshire. For four years W. C. Brill edited the “Mystic Workers of the World,” at Fulton, Ill., the official organ of that fraternal order.

William Cass Brill was married in 1901, at Hampshire, Ill., to Miss Grace Stoughton, by whom he has three sons: Wilmer G., a graduate from the Elk Grove high school, class of ‘23; Don R., in the high school; and Leon B., in the grammar school. Mr. Brill is a member of the Hampshire Lodge of Mason, No. 443, at Hampshire, Ill.; the Elk Grove Chapter of Eastern Star, to which Mrs. Brill also belongs; Elk Grove Lodge of Odd Fellows; Elk Grove Lodge of Rebekahs, of which Mrs. Brill is also a member; Modern Woodmen of America; and the Mystic Workers of the World.

Disposing of his “down East” interests in 1914, he came on to California and Sacramento and spent a year in the state printing office; and in 1915, he bought the “Elk Grove Citizen,” with which he has done well. Making it his object to serve the public, to speak the helpful, encouraging and approving word, wherever and whenever he can, and to work constructively, rather than to waste time, ink and paper in mere opposition, especially of a negative character, Mr. Brill has made the public the best of fellow-citizens with his journal. In May, 1923, he moved his plant to the Foulks-Graham block, where he has a modern business location. In November, 1921, Mr. Brill was appointed postmaster of Elk Grove, and the following April he took charge of the office and only resigned in March, 1923, after he had perfected arrangements for the removal of the office to its present location in the Foulks-Graham block, an item of much interest to the citizens of Elk Grove and vicinity. He was active in war work, and helped the many other local war-workers in having Elk Grove go “over the top.” Public-spirited to a high degree, Mr. Brill has also exerted himself in the matter of building the new grammar and high schools, and in modern street paving. In national politics a Republican, Mr. Brill is the best of all non-partisan boosters when local issues requiring general support are at stake.

Transcribed by: Jeanne Sturgis Taylor

Transcribed by: Jeanne Sturgis Taylor.

Source: Reed, G. Walter, History of Sacramento County, California With Biographical Sketches, Pages 909-910. Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, CA. 1923.