Details

Collection Summary
Collection: FND005 - SHSND Foundation - Newspaper Hall of Fame
Series: Tribute
Folder: DIG
Item: 00023
Title: Edward Franta
Date: 2001
Creator:
Inscription/Marks:
Summary: For more than 60 years, the name Edward J. Franta (1906-1988) was synonymous with newspapering in North Dakota as a writer, editor, publisher, and secretary-treasurer of the North Dakota Press Association, much of it at the same time. Edward John Franta was born on a farm in Liberty Grove Township, Richland County. He graduated from Lidgerwood High School and received a degree in journalism from the University of North Dakota in 1927. He worked at the Grand Forks Herald while attending UND. After graduating, his first position was editor of the Turtle Mountain Star at Rolla. His affiliation with the Cavalier County Republican at Langdon began on March 4, 1928. He and Richard E. Forkner became co-publishers of the Republican in 1939, continuing until selling the newspaper in 1969. Franta stayed on to "help out" at the Republican until April 1984, continuing to write his weekly column, "Frantacisms," and to serve as mentor to young journalists who made stops at the Republican. "Ed typed copy with two fingers. Hunched over an old Royal typewriter, he produced more copy than any one person I've ever worked with," writes one of Ed's proteges. Ed Franta was assistant secretary to NDPA from 1928 until 1934 when he was elected secretary-treasurer, a non-salaried position he continued until 1958. During that time he published the NDPA Bulletin, managed the association's business, organized the annual conventions, and started the association's advertising service all out of his office in Langdon. Following that service, he was elected "honorary president" of NDPA. In 1973, he was inducted into the association's 50-year club. While devoting substantial time to NDPA, Franta, also operated what has been called one of the best newspapers in North Dakota. Awards received by the Republican testify to that accomplishment. Franta was very active in many community and state affairs including service on the North Dakota Rhodes Scholar Selection Committee, The North Dakota Statuary Hall Committee and the boards of the Greater North Dakota Association, North Dakota Automobile Club and the UND Alumni Association. He received the UND President's Medal in 1975 after serving as national director of the recordo-breaking fund drive on behalf of the alumni association. He was honored as Langdon's "outstanding citien" in 1966 and again in 1969. He became a Mason in 1928 and was named Grand Master of the North Dakota Masons in 1952. He was selected for the North Dakota Newspaper Hall of Fame in 2001. In the words of one who worked with him, "Edward J. Franta was indeed on of the finest examples of what a newspaperman can do for his community and his industry."
Red ID: FND_I_77463 Image ID: 509282 Image Notes: 10950 00005 00023

Collection: FND005 Digitized Images from Collection
Title: SHSND Foundation - Newspaper Hall of Fame
Date:

Summary: The Hall of Honors features the biographies of recognized leaders in North Dakota's newspaper industry. This resource is sponsored by the North Dakota Newspaper Association and the NDNA Education Foundation.

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