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.


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