EDWARD A

Edward A Koen
Submitted by: Lynn Mack

Edward A. KOEN, editor and proprietor of the Polk county Observer,

published at Dallas, is well known in journalistic circles as an able

editorial writer, having at various times been identified with many of

the leading newspapers of the west. He was born in Farmington,

Missouri, September 4, 1867, and is a son of Audrey D. and Sarah E.

(HIGHLEY) KOEN, also natives of that state. The father was a dry

goods merchant and also operated a farm in St. Francois county, where

he spent the greater part of his life. He passed away in September,

1892, and the mother's demise occurred on the 4th of July, 1914. Both

the father and grandfather served throughout the Civil war as soldiers

in the Confederate army and in that conflict Audrey D. KOEN sustained

severe injuries which caused his death while still a young man.

Edward A. KOEN was reared in his native state and there attended

school until the age of fourteen, when he began learning the printer's

trade, with which he has since been connected. He was employed at

various places and for four years was on the editorial staff of the

St. Louis Post-Dispatch. He was also identified with the Omaha Bee

and the Omaha World-Herald and for ten years was political editor of

the St. Paul Dispatch. He continued in the employ of others until

1905, when he established a business of his own, founding a paper at

Biwabik, Minnesota, of which he was the owner until July, 1919, when

he came to Oregon, purchasing the Polk County Observer, published at

Dallas, of which he is now editor and owner. This paper was

established in 1888 and since becoming its owner Mr. KOEN has

installed the most modern equipment in the way of linotype machines

and presses and now has one of the best plants in this section of the

state. He is thoroughly familiar with every phase of the business, to

which he has devoted his life, and he is publishing the Observer

according to the most progressive ideas of modern journalism. Its

local columns are full of interest and the news of the world is

clearly and completely given; the aims of the nation are well set

forth and political questions are treated justly and without

prejudice. The principal policy of the paper has been to serve the

public promptly and well, and that Mr. KOEN has succeeded is evident

in the large circulation which his publication enjoys, its subscribers

now numbering twenty-eight hundred. While residing in Minnesota he

operated three roller skating rinks and also was at one time private

secretary to the mayor of Omaha, Nebraska.

On the 22d of February, 1894, Mr. KOEN was united in marriage to Miss

Marie E. PARKER, of Council Bluffs, Iowa, and they have became the

parents of two children; Elsatia, who is twenty-one years of age and

is residing at home; and Edward P. aged sixteen years.

In his political views Mr. KOEN is a republican and a stalwart

supporter of party principles. He stands at all times for improvement

in everything relating to the upbuilding and development of the county

along intellectual, political, material and moral lines and in his

editorial capacity is producing a newspaper of much interest and value

to the community in which it circulates.

History of Oregon, Biographical, Vol. II, The Pioneer Historical

Publishing Company, 1922, Pages 413-414.

County Coordinator: Gayle Triller
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