The Livingston County Press, one of Michigan's oldest weekly newspapers, grew out of The Livingston Courier, The Livingston Republican, and The Livingston Democrat. The Courier, established in 1843, was Livingston County's only newspaper until the rival Republican began in 1855. By 1857 the Courier had failed, and an ardent Democrat purchased it and renamed it the Livingston Democrat. That paper competed with the Republican for thirty-three years before failing in 1890. Country Democrats bought it, and it survived until 1928, when it was sold. A 1929 merger with the Republican created the Livingston County Republican Press, and in 1937 the name was shortened to Livingston County Press. The paper became part of the Suburban Communications Corporation in 1980. George W. Lee, who had participated in the 1854 organization of the Republican Party in Jackson, Michigan, founded the Livingston Republican in 1855. As a presidential elector in 1860, Lee was chosen by the electoral college to deliver the result of Michigan's vote to Lincoln. He later served as a captain and assistant quartermaster of volunteers during the Civil War. The Republican had several owners before brothers E.D. and Orin Stair came to Howell in 1884 and bought it. A year later E.D. Stair managed the Howell Opera House and used the newspaper to advertise the theater, which promised to "give the patrons of the Opera House first class amusement." In 1889 the Stairs sold the Republican, moved to Detroit, and purchased the Detroit Free Press.