JUNKIN, Paul S.

JUNKIN, MCGIFFIN

Posted By: Bill Rathbun
Date: 12/16/2006 at 11:39:50

A Narrative History of The People of Iowa
with
SPECIAL TREATMENT OF THEIR CHIEF ENTERPRISES IN
EDUCATION, RELIGION, VALOR, INDUSTRY, BUSINESS, ETC.
by
EDGAR RUBEY HARLAN, LL. B., A. M.
Curator of the Historical, Memorial and Art Department of Iowa, Volume IV
THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY, Inc.
Chicago and New York
1931

PAUL S. JUNKIN is president of the Fairfield Ledger Company, publishers of the Daily Ledger at Fairfield. In Jefferson County the Ledger has been a power in the newspaper field since pioneer times, and the Ledger is also almost unique in the history of Iowa journalism from the fact that it has been owned and published by one family continuously for eighty years. In that time
there has been four representatives of the family who have had the chief responsibilities of the publication. Mr. Junkin's father carried the paper on for many years, and before Mr. Paul Junkin took charge one of his brothers was head
of the business and also a nephew.

Paul S. Junkin was born at Fairfield, August 12, 1867. He grew up and attended school there, and completed his education in Parsons College, attending the preparatory academy for three years and then taking the full four years' collegiate course. He was graduated in 1889. During his college career he was pursuing a practical vocational course, learning the newspaper business under his father and brother, then owners and editors of the Ledger. Mr. Paul Junkin then launched out into a newspaper career for himself, purchasing and for one year conducting the Orange City Harald. In 1900 he went to Corning as owner and editor of the Union Republican. Later he was editor and owner of the Creston Daily Advertiser and also had interests in the Bedford Times-Republican, Chariton Harald-Patriot, Albia Republican and Fort Madison Daily Democrat. Upon the reorganization of the Iowa Press Association Mr. Junkin was honored with election as its first president, and served two terms in that office.

Mr. Junkin left the newspaper field in 1919 to engage in manufacturing at Fort Madison, Iowa, and later was appointed and served as receiver for the Perfection Tire and Rubber Company. Then, in 1924, he returned to Fairfield and acquired the controlling interest in the Fairfield Ledger. July 1, 1930, he became postmaster of Fairfield, being the first occupant of the fine new postoffice Building, and disposing of a controlling interest in the Ledger to his nephew, Don McGiffin.