Edward A. Strong

STRONG, SMITH, METCALF, PARKER

Posted By: Allamakee county coordinator (email)
Date: 5/17/2004 at 07:12:09

Edward A. Strong, editor and proprietor of the 'Power County News' of American Falls, was born at Lansing, Allamakee county, Iowa, in February, 1871. He is a son of Harvey B. and Harriett (Smith) Strong, who were natives of Pennsylvania and of Illinois respectively. The father was a carpenter by trade and at an early day removed to Iowa, becoming a pilot on the Mississippi river, taking rafts down that stream before steamboats were used. He settled at Lansing, where he resided until about 1899, when he came to Idaho and took up land in Fremont county, devoting his attention to general farming throughout his remaining days. He passed away at the age of seventy-five years, while his wife died in November, 1917.

Edward A. Strong was reared and educated at Lansing, Iowa, and on the Pacific coast. He went to work in a printing office at the age of twelve years in Lansing, Iowa, securing a situation in the office of the 'Lansing Mirror'. This paper was owned by his brother-in-law, G.W. Metcalf, who is still the proprietor. There Mr. Strong learned the trade and was employed on the Mirror for five years. It was on the expiration of that period that he made his way to the Pacific coast and worked on daily papers at Olympia, Tacoma and Spokane, Washington for several years. His father then went to St. Anthony, Idaho, and Edward A. Strong joined him there and entered the employ of Wood Parker. He afterward purchased the 'Fremont County News' and also published the 'Rigby Star' and the 'Marysville Mirror'. He continued the publication of the papers for several years and then sold, after which he returned to the coast. Later he bacame a resident of St. Anthony, Idaho, where he engaged in the cafe business for a time and in July, 1914, he removed to American Falls and established the 'Power County News', which he has since published. He has a nicely equipped plant, with a linotype machine and all the facilities required in newspaper publication and in general job work, and in the latter line he is accorded a liberal patronage, while the News also has a large circulation. Mr. Strong does not confine his attention absolutely to newspaper publication, however, for in the summer of 1919 he engaged in buying and selling hogs.

In 1904, at St. Anthony, Idaho, Mr. Strong was married to Miss Sarah Smith, a daughter of James Smith, and they have become the parents of three children: Harriett Elizabeth, Harvey Blaine and Alice Odette.

Fraternally Mr. Strong is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Loyal Order of Moose, the Knights of Pythias, the Modern Woodmen of America and the Ancient Order of United Workmen. Politically he is a democrat but cast his first presidential vote for Benjamin Harrison. Later he changed his views and has since supported democratic principles. His religious belief is that of the Baptist church. His salient characteristics are such as win for him warm regard and make for personal popularity. Starting out in the business world when but twelve years of age, he has since depended upon his own resources and his advancement is the direct outcome of his persistent effort, his thoroughness and his laudable ambition.

-source: 'History of Idaho The Gem of the Mountains'; Chicago, IL: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1920; pg 765.