Orville Elder

John Orville Elder (1886-1940) was born in Illinois and moved to Washington, Iowa when he was eighteen. He earned his teaching certificate and taught school. He bought the Washington Evening Journal in 1900 and was its editor until shortly before his death. In 1912 he published the story of Samuel Hall. We owe him a great debt for preserving this amazing and true story.

John Orville Elder (1886-1940) was born in Illinois and moved to Washington, Iowa when he was eighteen. He earned his teaching certificate and taught school. He bought the Washington Evening Journal in 1900 and was its editor until shortly before his death. In 1912 he published the story of Samuel Hall. We owe him a great debt for preserving this amazing and true story. See less