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Howe inducted into Hall of Fame

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Bill Howe speaks about his time as part of the smalltown news industry. (Photos by Correne Martin)

Joining Bill Howe at his Wisconsin Newspaper Association Hall of Fame induction Nov. 15, were son Gary and Joan Howe, Donna Kinley and daughter Rita Cooper.

Two generations of the Howe family pictured include Bill Howe with children Gary and Rita.

By Correne Martin

Courier Press patriarch Bill Howe was inducted into the Wisconsin Newspaper Association Hall of Fame Nov. 15, at The Madison Club in Madison. He attributed his years of success and knowledge, gained from giving 51 years to the family business, to all the people he met and relationships he built.  

Howe was accompanied at the Hall of Fame banquet by his family, three other inductees and about 65 newspaper professionals from across Wisconsin. 

Howe was among four individuals named to the 2018 class from various sectors of newspaper publishing. Others included Scott Angus, The (Janesville) Gazette; Andrew Johnson, (Mayville) Dodge County Pionier, Campbellsport News and Kewaskum Statesman; and Carol O’Leary, The (Medford) Star News and (Cornell) Courier Sentinel.

According to current Courier Press archives, Howe has lived all of his 95 years understanding the newspaper business to be his family’s tradition and commitment to Prairie du Chien and the surrounding communities. Purchased by his grandfather, Henry “Hank” in 1911, the Courier Press was run by his grandparents and parents before he and his brother took over the dynasty. Their reign was from 1946 to 1997. The newspaper has been published by five generations of Howes, Bill being part of the third generation. 

“When I think of Wisconsin newspapers and the relentless, hard-nosed people who publish them, Bill’s dedication to the Courier Press and the industry is as unwavering and thorough as could exist,” stated current associate editor Correne Martin in her nomination of Howe.

Over the years, when he wasn’t assisting his flood-logged neighbors, or publishing the newspaper, Bill’s love of the great outdoors spawned an interest and career in community conservation that started early on in life. Through serving on the Wisconsin Conservation Congress for 61 years and counting, Bill has developed many close relationships with fellow conservationists and legislators across the state of Wisconsin. He’s always kept himself well informed of the various issues, not just the local ones, but across the state and adjacent states. Whenever possible, he has attended meetings up and down the river. 

Howe is an essential part of that subscriber-driven relationship the weekly newspaper has had with its community for 107 years of Howe family ownership. His son, Gary, continues the family legacy to this day, running not only the Courier but also the North Iowa Times, Clayton County Register (Elkader) and Guttenberg Press. In his true loyal form, Bill still stops into the office, sharing news tips, history, photos and knowledge with the employees.

At the Hall of Fame banquet, Howe said, “Having a family printing business today is rare. It wouldn’t be possible without all the people we’re so fortunate to meet.”

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