Charles A. Looney, editor and general manager of the Muskogee Times-Democrat, with which he has been identified for more than two decades, is a well known and influential factor in journalistic circles of northeastern Oklahoma. His birth occurred in Shelbyville, Missouri, on the 27th of April, 1877, his parents being William Thomas and Annie B. Looney. After acquiring his preliminary education he pursued a course of study in the high school at Eldorado Springs, Missouri, and subsequently entered the University of Missouri, thus being well qualified by liberal educational training for life’s practical and responsible duties. When his textbooks were put aside he entered the newspaper field and at different periods he has since acted as reporter, editor, Washington correspondent and general manager of newspapers. His initial experience was obtained as a reporter on the Free Press at Eldorado, Missouri, while three years later he went to Carthage, that state, as a reporter on the Carthage Morning Democrat, of which he afterward became city editor. In 1901 he became identified with the Times Democrat of Muskogee in a reportorial capacity and was next made Washington correspondent, while later he became managing editor of this publication, of which he is now general manager and part owner. The paper enjoys an extensive advertising and subscription patronage and under the capable control of Mr. Looney its circulation is steadily growing, while its influence is felt as a moving force in the upbuilding and progress of the community. Mr. Looney is a stockholder in various banking institutions and a director of the Guaranty Trust Company.
On the 2d of May, 1907, Mr. Looney was united in marriage to Ellen Blair Hutchings, daughter of Major and Mrs. William T. Hutchings of Muskogee, Oklahoma. They have become parents of two children: Mary Ellen, who is a maiden of ten summers; and Charles A., Jr., a little lad-of four years.
Politically Mr. Loony is a democrat, while the nature of his interests and activity is further indicated in his membership connection with the Town and Country Club, the Sequoyah Outing Club, the Rotary Club and the Elks Club. He has won an enviable reputation as a journalist and well deserves classification among the representative and prominent citizens of Muskogee.