Hiram Fargo had a distinguished career as a reporter in Michigan and California. He was a byline writer with the Chicago Evening Post, and was appointed to Washington, D.C., correspondent for the Post.
In 1907, he purchased Telephony Magazine and became secretary and Treasurer of Telephony Publishing Corp. He guided its editorial and financial destiny during a difficult period of Independent Telephony when industry leaders were working to unite all independents and form one National Association. In those early days, Fargo’s editorials advocated concentrated action by all members of the Independent Telephone Industry and stressed the need for one National Organization devoted to protecting the welfare and future interests of Independent companies, both operating and manufacturing. Although it is difficult to correctly evaluate the influence of Mr. Fargo’s editorials on the formation of the United State Independent Telephone Association, records do prove that his editorials were the primary National “voice” that consistently urged the importance of a united Independent industry.
Fargo served as President of Telephony Publishing Corp. from 1919 to 1941, when he turned the reins over to his son, H. D. Fargo, Jr. He continued his interest until death in 1957.
