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About Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928
Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa] (1895-1928)

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Title:
Decorah public opinion. : (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928
Alternative Titles:
  • Public opinion
Place of publication:
Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]
Geographic coverage:
  • Decorah, Winneshiek, Iowa  |  View more titles from this: City County, State
Publisher:
Fred L. Akers
Dates of publication:
1895-1928
Description:
  • Vol. 1, no. 30 (Oct. 4, 1895)-v. 34, no. 52 (Dec. 26, 1928).
Frequency:
Weekly
Language:
  • English
Subjects:
  • Decorah (Iowa)--Newspapers.
  • Iowa--Decorah--fast--(OCoLC)fst01218583
Notes:
  • Archived issues are available in digital format from the Library of Congress Chronicling America online collection.
  • Publisher varies.
LCCN:
sn 87058235
OCLC:
15725387
ISSN:
2694-2054
Preceding Titles:
Succeeding Titles:
Related Links:
Holdings:
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Decorah public opinion. October 11, 1895 , Image 1

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Decorah Public Opinion

In February 1895, Fred L. Akers started the Cresco Public Opinion in Howard County, Iowa. A few months later he moved to Decorah in neighboring Winneshiek County and renamed the paper the Decorah Public Opinion, publishing the first issue under the new title on October 4, 1895. The following year, in May 1896, Harry J. Green purchased a half interest in the Public Opinion. He worked in partnership with Aker for a few years before buying out Aker's interest in April 1900 and becoming the sole proprietor.

Green was born in Iowa on August 3, 1875, and he lived in the towns of Toledo, Nashua, Janesville, Plainfield, and Epworth before moving to Decorah in 1890. He attended Upper Iowa University in Fayette, Iowa, then returned to Decorah after receiving his bachelor's degree. Green was interested in the publishing business and took a job at the Decorah Journal to learn the printing trade. After a few months, he moved on to the Public Opinion where he would spend most of his career.

In addition to his newspaper business, Green was also very active in the community. He was a member of various fraternal organizations, including the Masons and the Brotherhood of American Yeoman. He also became involved in local politics, serving as chairperson of the Republican County Central Committee and being elected delegate from the fourth Iowa district to the 1904 Republican National Convention in Chicago. When Decorah formed a park board, Green was among the first park commissioners. He also served as the secretary of the Decorah Commercial Club, and in November 1912, he was elected mayor of Decorah.

The Decorah Public Opinion merged with the Decorah Republican in January 1929, becoming the Decorah Public Opinion and Decorah Republican. In 1942, the paper merged with the Calmar Courier to form the Decorah Public Opinion, Decorah Republican and Calmar Courier. The title changed back to the Decorah Public Opinion in 1954, and the paper continues to publish today.

Provided by: State Historical Society of Iowa