LUCKOW, Edward Louis
Commemorative and Biographical Record of Columbia, Sauk and Adams Counties, 
WI. Chicago: Ogle, 1901, p 625-626

Edward Louis LUCKOW, publisher of the "Sauk County [WI] Democrat," at 
Baraboo, and one of the most practical journalists of the state, is one of 
the native sons of WI, his birth having occurred at West Bend, Washington 
County [WI], 27 Apr 1866. His parents were Charles and Johanna (ROENBECK) 
LUCKOW. Being a precocious lad, he completed the course at West Bend high 
school at the age of 14 years, but continued his studies as opportunity 
permitted for several years longer, mastering the German language in this way 
without any regular instruction. He was always industrious and ambitious to 
improve his condition in life. One of his first occupations after leaving 
school was that of clerk in a store, but as this business was not congenial 
to his tastes, he soon abandoned it.

While still a mere boy he developed a genius for literary work and 
contributed regularly to the columns of the "West Bend Democrat," one of the 
oldest papers in the state, at that time under the management of the 
well-known "Billy" WALTERS. He also devoted many of his leisure hours before 
leaving school to learning the printing business, and when he finally became 
a regular employee of the establishment it required but a few weeks for him 
to become foreman of the job department and in a short time he took entire 
charge of the office. Realizing the need of a wider field for the 
development of his talents, after a few years he left his native village and 
secured a position in Milwaukee [Milwaukee County, WI], spending several 
years in that city and elsewhere.

On 09 Jul 1886 he arrived in Baraboo and took charge of the office of the 
"Sauk County Democrat" as foreman and local editor. He soon assumed the 
entire management of the paper, which was then owned by RUNGE & GROTOPHORST, 
though the former became sole proprietor soon after Mr. LUCKOW's arrival. He 
conducted the paper in the interest of Mr. RUNGE until 01 Feb 1895, when he 
purchased the establishment. He at once began to improve and rearrange the 
office and has fitted it up as a model linstitution of the kind, 
demonstrating that a printing office can be kept as neat and orderly as a dry 
goods store or any other place of business. The "Democrat" is the only 
newspaper of Sauk County [WI] of that political faith and has constantly 
improved under his charge, enjoying at present an extensive circulation and 
advertising patronage.

Personally, Mr. LUCKOW has always been distinguished for his courteous 
manners and fair and impartial treatment of everyone with whom he comes in 
contact. Wherever employed he was always noted for his devotion to the 
interests of his employers, and upon becoming proprietor of this paper he 
received a number of very complimentary and congratulatory letters from noted 
journalists with whom he had been associated.

He has always taken a lively interest in The Wisconsin Press Association, and 
in 1897 was elected a member of the executive committee of that organization. 
He was recently appointed to prepare a history of the Sauk County Press for 
embodiment in the history of the Wisconsin press. For many years he has 
filled the position of correspondent for a number of city papers and still 
officiates in that capacity for several of the leading journals of the U. S. 
In the spring of 1900 Mr. LUCKOW was elected mayor of the city of Baraboo 
[Sauk County, WI], beating his opponent by 119 votes, although the city is 
strongly Republican. In the fall of 1890 he was the Democratic candidate for 
congressman for the third district of WI.

Contributed by Cathy Kubly