At age 14, Tavenner starting printing a small paper titled The Boys’ Bulletin.

In the past the district voted heavily Republican but in 1910 Tavenner waged an energetic campaign for the seat.

The Republicans nominated a Rock Island, Illinois, businessman and former city alderman Charles J. Searle.

Searle was seen as a popular favorite to win the election due to the districts strong Republican leanings but Searle refused the support of the progressive wing of the Republican Party which turned its support to Tavenner.

[4] Tavenner used his experience as a journalist to his advantage writing brief bulletins titled "Tavenner’s Daily Bulletin" that appeared in every daily newspaper in the district explaining his experience as the best candidate for the office.

Once in the House, Tavenner fought against big business interests and monopolies as well as wasteful government spending, making speeches and lectures against governmental corruption all across the United States.

[6] He served as chairman of the Committee on Expenditures in the Post Office Department (Sixty-fourth Congress).

In retirement, Tavenner supported the U.S. effort in World War I and resumed his publishing business.

Cloyd E. Kaufman – 91 0% Election history from Illinois Blue Book series 1911–1917.

This article incorporates public domain material from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress