William C. Edgar

William C. Edgar (December 21, 1856-December 2, 1932) was born in Wisconsin and raised in St. Louis, Missouri. As a young man in St. Louis, he worked for the Democrat Lithograph and Printing Company. He was also a salesman for Snider and Holmes, a wholesale paper dealer and manufacturer. In 1882, Edgar moved to Minneapolis to work for the trade journal Northwest Miller. Later, he would work with two separate U.S. presidents to organize and regulate the American milling industry. Edgar was honored by several countries for his humanitarian efforts, which included leading a nationwide campaign to donate flour to starving peasants in Russia and directing relief to Belgium from 1914-16.

From 1886 to until 1924, Edgar edited Northwest Miller. During this period, too, he founded and edited a literary magazine called The Bellman, which ran from 1906 until it was discontinued in 1919. Additionally, Edger penned a weekly column for the Minneapolis Tribune and wrote several books, including The Story of a Grain of Wheat and The Medal of Gold: A Story of Industrial Achievement. Edgar also served as the president of the Miller Publishing Company. He retired in 1924 and died in 1932 after a distinguished career in publishing and journalism.

More information on William C. Edgar from the Minnesota Historical Society.