PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL
RECORD OF OKLAHOMA

LUCIEN E. RISK

Of the many promising journalist who have found a field for their abilities in the newly opened territory, none is more worthy of mention than Mr. Risk, who, beginning at the bottom round of his profession, has already given many evidences of the wisdom of his selection and of his peculiar aptitude for the work at hand. 

As editor and publisher of the McLoud Herald, he has evinced a breadth of mind and capability for filling the requirements of an up-to-date paper which is a source of gratification to the members of the community in which he lives.

A native of Lewis County, MO., Mr. Risk was born May 8, 1873, and is a son of Henry C. and Elizabeth (Baker) Risk native of Williamstown, that County.  When ten years of age he was taken by his father, who was a druggist, to a farm and there he grew to manhood.  He studied diligently in the district schools and in Lyon High School for one year, subsequently going to the Christian University at Canton, MO.  When eighteen years of age he decided to avail himself of the promising conditions in Oklahoma and at Norman entered a printing office in order to learn every detail of newspaper work.  He learned to set type and remained at Norman until 1895 when he became part owner in a paper at Shawnee.  He subsequently connected with three different papers and obtained a fair measure of success. In 1895 occurred the marriage of Mr. Risk and Kate Waltermine, who was raised in Kansas and reared in Texas.  Mrs. Risk has a very excellent education, and is also engaged in journalistic work being editor-in-chief of the Herald. 

Mr. Risk is a Democrat in National politics and was elected City Clerk soon after coming to McLoud. Fraternally he is associated with the Ancient Order of United Workmen at McLoud.  Mr. and Mrs. Risk are ardent members of the Christian Church of which Mr. Risk was clerk at Norman and Deacon at Shawnee.

Mrs. Risk devotes a great deal of time and attention to church work and is prominent in the best social life of the town.

Portrait and Biographical Record of Oklahoma (Chicago: Chapman Publishing Co., 1902), 688.

Transcribed for OKGenWeb by Paul Wright, June 2001.