Luther Feeger

1977

Luther Feeger is possibly as well known as a Wayne County historian as he is as a journalist. Feeger, a native of Fort Recivery, Ohio, moved to Richmond, Indiana as a boy of 12, and while in high school began working for the Richmond Sun Telegram. While studying at Earlham College, Feeger was a college correspondent for the Richmond Item. He then studied at Capital’s Seminary and did graduate work at the University of Washington in Seattle. Following graduate work, Feeger pastored a Lutheran Church for two years and taught Systematic Theology at Pacific Seminary. Then Feeger returned to journalism.

Feeger started as a general reporter for the Richmond Palladium, now the Palladium-Item, and soon moved into the managing editor position. Feeger was managing editor of the Richmond Palladium for 24 years, from 1913-1937. He then became the paper’s business manager and was the Palladium’s secretary-treasurer and associate editor at the time of his death, May 25, 1975. Born May 6, 1883, Feeger was 92.

Beginning in 1940, Feeger had a regular column in the Richmond Palladium on the history of Wayne County, Richmond, or Indiana in general. Dr. Ronald F. Carmony, editor of the Indiana Magazine of History, once wrote of Feeger: “By his research and writing he made significant contributions to local and state history.” Feeger wrote over 3,000 chapters or 7,000 articles on history.

Feeger was a board member of the Indiana Historical Society, president and treasurer of the Wayne County Historical Society, and a professional member of the Sigma Delta Chi, Indiana University chapter.