History of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, Part 108

Author: Bean, Theodore Weber, 1833-1891, [from old catalog] ed; Buck, William J. (William Joseph), 1825-1901
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Philadelphia, Everts & Peck
Number of Pages: 1534

USA > Pennsylvania > Montgomery County > History of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania > Part 108

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Cl. Inenles

463

JOURNALISM.

the exclusive right to use the name of "Register" was contested in the court, and decided in favor of the purchaser by Judge Ross, reserving to Dr. E. L. Acker the right to publish the Daily Register.1 The sheriff having omitted to sell the title of the Daily Register, Mr. Houpt changed its name to the Daily Watchman, and published it under that title for about a year, when it was discontinued, and the Norristown Register was sold to E. K. Kneule. Mr. Kneule, in 1880, resumed the publication of a daily edition, which for a short time was issued in the morning and gave tele- graphic news, but the experiment was soon discon- tinued. It is now issued in the afternoon as the Norristown Register, and is the leading Democratic dlaily. The Weekly Register is published on Tues- days, and is Democratic in politics.

Mr. Albrecht Kneule founded the Pennsburg Demo- crat, a German weekly newspaper, April, 1857, and continued its publication until July, 1858, when it was consolidated with the Bauern Freund, also a German newspaper founded by Enos Benner at Sumneytown about 1830. The Bauern Freund has been edited by Mr. Kneule since its consolidation. The paper is pub- lished at Pennsburg, and has always had a large cir- culation. It is Democratie in politics, and received a large share of the patronage from that party when its leaders controlled public affairs in the county.

Mr. Kneule had now become a citizen of the country, and was impressed with the idea of providing the German population of the upper end of the county with a reliable German newspaper; to this end he - located at the thriving village of Pennsburg, and Pennsburg Democrat, a German weekly newspaper. The enterprise was successful, filling a void long felt by the strong wing of the dominant party in the county. The Bauern Freund, a German paper, pub- lished at that time at Sumneytown by Enos Benner, was, in the spring of 1858, purchased and consolidated up along the line of the road. Young English-speak- ; by Mr. Knuele under the name of Bauern Freund and

Mr. Kneule also founded the Perkiomen Valley Press. there, on the 7th day of April, 1857, founded the The initial number of this weekly paper was issued January 10, 1874, at Pennsburg. This enterprise was suggested by the altered condition of the busi- ness interests of the people of the Perkiomen Valley, resulting from the construction and operation of the railroad through that region. New enterprises sprung ing people established themselves at all the stations Pennsburg Democrat. This movement gave the paper a wide field, and the subscription-list was very con- siderably increased, as was also the general job-work furnishing supplies and shipping accommodations for the people, and in order to meet the wants of this

new life the Valley Press was started. Edwin Kneule, of the printing-office. The potent influence of this son of the original founder, acquired an interest in the establishment in 1876. The Perkiomen Valley Press is published at Pennsburg, and is Democratie in politics.

ALBRECHT KNEULE was born March 1, 1822, at Esslinger, a town of about twenty-five thousand in- habitants, in the kingdom of Würtemberg, Germany. Ile was one of three sons of Adam and Fredereke Kneule, and attended the so-called Latin School of

1 On the 5th of July, 1857, the Norristown Register was sold by the sheriff and purchased by Isaiah B. Houpt. On July 10, 1857, Dr. E. L. Acker issued the Weekly Register, vol. i. No. 1, Mr. Hloupt instituted legal proceedings to enjoin Mr. Acker from publishing the l'eekly Register, claiming that he had purchased the establishment, including the name under which it had previously been issued. The proceeding was novel, and excited considerable interest among the friends of the rival editors and publishers. After a full hearing, Judge Ross granted an injunction restraining Dr. Acker from publishing the Weekly Register. The injunction, however, as decreed by the court, did not restrain the issue of the Daily Register, which, together with a paper called the Weekly Gazette, was published by Dr. Acker for some months, when the publication of both was suspended.

Esslinger from his sixth to his fourteenth year, during which time he acquired a knowledge of the branches of useful learning taught in the German schools, and also a knowledge of the rudiments of the Latin and French languages. In 1846 he entered the Esslinger Zeitung printing-office as an apprentice and served a term of four years. He subsequently worked as a compositor on a French newspaper at Berne, remain- ing there for several months. In the spring of 1850 he accepted an engagement in a large book and printing-house in Stuttgart, the capital of Würtem- berg, where he worked as a compositor until 1852, when he emigrated to the United States of America. His emigration was to avoid the enforced military service of Germany, which was distasteful to him. After a long and stormy voyage from Havre-de-Grace on board a sailing-vessel he reached New York in the month of November, 1852. He immediately went to Philadelphia, and in a few weeks thereafter obtained a situation in the office of the Neutralist, at Skippack- ville, Montgomery Co. He remained in this office until the month of March, 1857.

paper in the Democratic party also gave it a just claim on the organization, and in the distribution of its favors the Democrat was not overlooked. Its cir- culation is believed to be the largest of all German papers published in the county. Its success is claimed to be due to the active part taken by its proprietor in public affairs of the upper end of the county during and subsequent to the exciting events of the great Rebellion. Mr. Kneule has always been identified with the Democratic party, and he attributes his success in journalistic enterprises to his activity in upholding the rule of that party in Montgomery County. In 1878, Mr. Kneule became the owner of the Norristown Register, and gave his son, Edwin Kueule, an interest in the establishment. On the 1st day of April, 1880, the firm commenced the issue of a daily, being the only Democratic daily paper pub- lished in the county. It has been successfully main- tained ever since, and is now considered permanently established. Mr. Kneule was married, in 1855, to Miss

464

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

Louisa Kraft, the family consisting of one daughter and four sons. The present homestead is located on Main Street, Norristown, next door to the Register office. The life of this German emigrant, who had been taught in German schools and printing-offices to aspire to something more than a plodding soldier, shows the possibilities of free American citizenship. From the humble printer of 1852, by strict attention to a chosen pursuit, he has become the principal pro- prietor of three widely-circulated newspapers,-the

Journal into the Montgomery Ledger, the first number of which was dated November, 1843. In April, 1845, Andrew H. Tippen and Jacob D. Streeper purchased the printing establishment, taking posses- sion thereof and issuing their first number on the 16th of that month. In the spring of 1849, Colonel Tippen retired from the business, and J. D. Streeper became the sole proprietor. On April 1, 1854, he associated with him in the editorial department L. H. Davis, Esq., who had served an apprenticeship in the office

1. 1 Kinder.

The Montgomery Ledger and Daily Pottstown Ledger .- The Montgomery Ledger is the continuation of the first newspaper published in Pottstown,-the Pottstown Times, which was established in the place by John Royer, July 1, 1819. After an existence of ten or twelve years the Times was changed into the Pottstown Journal, and Jacob C. Slemmer became the proprietor. Mr. Slemmer subsequently merged the

and who has remained in connection with the estab- lishment ever since. On the 1st of April, 1855, Mr. Davis became one of the owners with J. D. Streeper, the latter continuing his connection for two years, until 1857, when failing health obliged him to retire; he was succeeded by William L. Williamson. The firm of Davis & Williamson continued as editors and publishers of the Montgomery Ledger until April 1. 1867, when William J. Binder, who also had learned the printing business in the office, purchased the inter-

465

JOURNALISM.

est of Mr. Williamson, and the firm was changed to, that of Davis & Binder. These editors and proprietors commenced the issue of a daily edition of the paper in addition to the weekly on the Ist of October, 1873, the new journal being known as the Daily Pottstown Ledyer. On the 19th of September, 1879, Mr. Davis sold his interest to his partner, W. J. Binder, who has since continued to be the sole proprietor, and is con- tinuing successfully the issue of the two papers. The Weekly was subsequently enlarged to thirty-six columns and the Daily to twenty-eight columnins. Mr. Binder associated with him his former partner, L. H. Davis, in the editorship of the papers, the latter having, as above stated, remained continuously with the establishment since 1855. The Montgomery Ledger and Daily Pottstown Ledger are well and widely known newspapers in Eastern Pennsylvania, and at the present time enjoy a large circulation. They are independent in politics and devoted to the dissemination of local and general news, the latter being a specialty.

the news of the day, Mr. Binder has aimed to make the paper an attractive family journal, in which effort hehas, unaided, been successful and received the com- mendation and support of the thoughtful reading public. While its proprietor is himself a stanch Republican, the journal is conducted on principles of strict neutrality without party predilections. Mr. Binder is associated with the Methodist Episcopal Church in which he holds a local preacher's license, and has been connected with the church in nearly every official capacity. He was, on the 26th of Decem- ber, 1867, married to Mary A., daughter of James Ililton, of Glasgow, Montgomery Co., and has chil- dren,-Hilton Simpson, Mary, Ella, Bessie, Edith, Laura, John Kingsley and Florence.

The National Defender. - The National De- fender was established at Norristown August 12, 1856, by Henry Leibert, Esq .; from him it passed to Messrs. Seymour & Royer in 1858; upon January 19, 1859, to Joseph W. Royer ; and upon the 21st of the ensuing February, Mr. Edwin Schall became the proprietor. In 1864 the paper was sold to S. B. and A. Helffenstein, and in 1871 the former bought out his brother's in- terest and became the sole proprietor. At one time the paper was the organ of the American party, but for many years its politics have been Democratic. It is issued weekly, on Tuesdays.

WILLIAM J. BINDER .- Both the paternal and ma- ternal ancestors of Mr. Binder emigrated from Ger- many, the family of Jacob Binder consisting of two sons, Jolin and Amos, and several daughters. The birth of John occurred in Chester County, from whence, with his parents, he removed to New Hanover, Montgomery Co., which afterward became his place of residence. He married Anna Mary Steltz, of the same Since the close of the Civil war the publication of country newspapers has been facilitated by the intro- duction of what are known in the trade as " patent outsides." These are half-sheets filled with miseel- lancous reading-matter, printed in Philadelphia and New York, and distributed to the local publishers, who fill up the blank pages with advertisements and reading-matter of their own. By such means it has become possible to issue a local journal at very small expense, and many have been started in small towns and villages where no printer would have dreamed of locating half a century ago. Montgomery County, in common with its neighbors, has experienced a great increase in the number of its printing offices within a few years, and some of the local journals thus started are conducted with much ability and success. Among them may be mentioned the Lans- dale Reporter, the Hatboro' Public Spirit, the North Wales Record, the Bryn Mawr News, the Bryn Mawr Home News, the Schwenksville Item, the Providence Independent, the Towamensing Item and the Montgomery Law Reporter. township, and had children,-Aaron, Elizabeth (Mrs. David Hurst, of Easton), Tamsen (Mrs. Jeremiah II. Binder, of Pottstown), and William J. Mr. Binder subsequently removed to Chester County, where he pursued the vocation of a farmer. Ilis son, William J., who was born September 30, 1843, in East Naut- meal township, Chester Co., spent his boyhood on the farm. On attaining his thirteenth year Pottstown became his home, where superior advantages of edu- cation were afforded at the Hill Preparatory School, in that borough. Having completed his studies and determined to acquire an independent trade, he chose the printer's craft, serving an apprenticeship of four and a half years and a period of one year as foreman, at the expiration of which time he entered the armny, becoming a member of the One Hundred and Fifth Pennsylvania Volunteers, and serving until the con- clusion of the conflict. For a brief period in 1865 he was connected with the Indianapolis Herald, but re- turning the following spring, purchased a half-interest in the Montgomery Ledger, of Pottstown, re-entering as co-proprietor the office in which he had learned The first number of the Lansdale Reporter was issued October 27, 1870, by Frederick Wagner, the size at that time being twenty-four by thirty-two inches, seven columns to a page. On March 15, 1877, it was sold to J. E. Wittmer, who disposed of it to A. K. Thomas & Co., the present proprietors, February 3, 188I. During the summer of that year a handsome new office was erected on Main Street, and early in the fall the printer's art. It had hitherto printed a weekly edition, but Mr. Binder, however, readily discerned a promising field for daily journalistie enterprise, and in October, 1873, a daily issue was printed. In Sep- tember, 1879, he purchased the interest of his partner, Mr. Lewis H. Davis, and now controls the business as sole proprietor, having also a jobbing department of considerable capacity. While giving a synopsis of | it was equipped with new presses, run by steam-power.

466

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

The paper was enlarged to an eight-column folio September 22, 1881, and is now published weekly on Thursdays. The Medieal Summary, R. H. An- drews editor and proprietor, is printed monthly by A. K. Thomas & Co. The Agent's Call, another monthly journal, is also published at the same office.

The John E. Wittmer mentioned above had be- come connected with Montgomery County journalism as early as August, 1873, when, in connection with Dr. William T. Robinson, a leading citizen of Hat- boro', he commenced the publication of the Hatboro' Public Spirit. The success of this enterprise was almost phenomenal. In the course of a few months Dr. Robinson bought out his partner, and within a year from the appearance of the first edition he had built a commodious printing-office, and fitted it up with a steam-power press and improved machinery of every description. His paper was rapidly enlarged, until it became one of the largest in the county, and it speedily attained an extensive circulation. His son, Mr. Ernest C. Robinson, has since become one of the editors. The paper appears weekly, on Saturdays.

The North Wales Record was founded in 1874 by Milton Wood, who ran it till 1876, when it passed into the hands of Marlin & Smith. In the fall of that year Smith bought Marlin out, and remained the sole proprietor until the winter of 1877, when a half- interest was purchased by Wilmer H. Johnson, who, in 1878, became sole editor and publisher, and has so continued ever since. The latter has made it a very complete and reliable compendium of local news, and has increased its circulation. It is the organ of the Prohibitionists, and is published weekly, on Saturdays.

The Norristown Independent .- This newspaper was established and issued its first number on the 15th day of May, 1865. Robert C. Fries was the publisher, and George N. Corson, Esq., editor. Wil- liam M. Runkle succeeded to the editorship June 14, 1866; the date of his retirement appears to beunknown. Theodore W. Bean, Esq., became editor October 6, 1870, and retired in the month of December, 1872. The establishment was subsequently purchased by Charles P. Shriner, of Columbia, Pa., March 1, 1875, who, in the following August, commeneed the publi- cation of a daily issue. The first number appeared August 2, 1875, and continued until August, 1876, when its publication as a weekly and daily paper was discontinued. The machinery and material of the office was purchased by Thomas Rossiter, who used the same for general printing and job work for some years thereafter. The Independent was Republican in politics. It was also devoted to publie interests generally, and furnished its full measure of local news of the county.

The Wahrheits Freund .- This was a German weekly paper, established at Norristown, by R. C.

Fries, at the time The Independent was founded, May 15, 1865. It was published in the same office, and circulated among the German people of the county. It was Republican in politics. Its publication ceased when The Independent was sold to Charles P. Shriner, March 1, 1875.

The True Witness. - The True Witness was founded by Moses Auge, at Norristown, and the first number was issued Saturday, June 29, 1871. It was a small sheet, about eight by ten inches, and devoted to Tem- perance reform. The paper received substantial encouragement, and was enlarged May 11, 1872, and a second time enlarged August 15, 1874. Mr. Auge remained editor and proprietor of the Witness until November 21, 1874, when its publication was discon- tinned.

The Providence Independent .- A local news- paper, founded by Elwood S. Moser, June, 1875. The publishing house was originally at the Trappe, a vil- liage in Upper Providence township. The establish- ment was removed to Collegeville, on the line of the Perkiomen Railroad, in the month of April, 1883, where The Independent is at present published. It is independent in politics, and its columns are liberally given to the publication of local news. It is published weekly.

Home News .- The Home News was founded in 1877 by Frank Young, editor and publisher. During the same year Frank Hower acquired an interest in the establishment. In 1878, Mr. Hower, with Mr. Garrigus, purchased the interest of Mr. Young, and became the proprietors. In 1880, John Hocker be- came the owner of one-halfinterest, and in the spring of 1881, Samuel A. Blaek, the present editor, bought the interest of Mr. Hower, and has since that time been the sole proprietor. The Home News is neutral and independent in politics. It is published in Bryn Mawr, Lower Merion township, a beautiful village on the main line of the Pennsylvania Railroad. It is a purely loeal journal, having for its object the collec- tion and publication of strictly home news and infor- mation useful to a suburban and rural population. It is published weekly.

In April, 1877, Rev. N. B. Grubb, assistant pastor of the congregation then worshiping at Gottshall's Mennonite Church, at Schwenksville, opened a job- printing office in that village. In September of the same year he began the publication weekly of a four- column paper, measuring fifteen by twenty-twoinches, called The Weekly Item. It was twice enlarged with- in a short time, and in 1881 the name was changed to The Schwenksville Item. In the fall of 1882 the pub- lisher accepted a call to the pastorate of the First Mennonite Church of Philadelphia, to which city he removed with his family in May, 1883. The Item publishing house, with all its interests, was then leased to Irvin H. Bardman, of Frederick, Pa. The success with which Mr. Bardman met led to another enlarge- ment of the paper. In March, 1884, Mr. Bardman be-

467

JOURNALISM.

came the sole proprietor. The Item is now a seveu- column folio, issued weekly, on Fridays.

The publishing business in Conshohocken was for a long time in a languishing condition. Several enterprises, including the publication of a semi- weekly and a daily, ended in failure. The Reporter, a weekly, survived the wreck of its contemporaries, and in 1881 was sold to William L. Prizer, who had been successively local editor and business manager of the Norristown Herald. Mr. Prizer enlarged the paper and has put it in a prosperous condition. It is issued weekly, on Saturdays.

The Neutralist .- This German weekly newspaper was established at Skippackville by John Young & Co., John Shupe being of the firm, in the year 1848. This firm continued its publication for two years. In 1850, J. M. Schunemann & Co., John Shupe, being of the firm, became the owners and proprietors, and pulished it until 1861. The establishment was de- stroyed by fire during the year named. There being no insurance upon the property and machinery, the proprietors declined to refit and continue its issue. Subsequently, A. E. Dambly, the present proprietor, became the editor and publisher, and the paper has become a useful medium of information among the German-speaking people throughout the county. It is Republican in politics, with strong independent tendencies.

The Montgomery County Presse .- This German weekly newspaper was founded in Norristown in 1860 by John Shupe, the present editor and publisher. The establishment was removed to Lansdale in 1861, and there published until 1868, when it was removed to the village of Telford, on the line of the North Pennsylvania Railroad, where it has since been pub- lished. It circulates in both Montgomery and Bucks Counties. It is independent in politics. The sup- port and encouragement received by the German press of the county shows the fondness of the German people for their native language.

The Morning Chronicle .- The Chronicle is the successor of The Advertiser, a weekly newspaper estab- lished at Pottstown, by A. M. Scheffey, editor, and D. Q. Gerger, founded November 22, 1875. In June, 1879, the establishment was purchased by A. R. Say- lor, who changed the name to The Morning Chronicle, and commenced the publication of a daily edition with the weekly issue. L. R. Saylor became associ- ated with this journal January, 1884, and the enter- prize is now conducted by the firm of A. R. Saylor & Brother. The firm occupy a commodious office on High Street, Pottstown, and general job printing is carried on iu connection with the publication of the daily and weekly papers issued.

The News .- The News was established July 1, 1881, at Bryn Mawr, by Frank A. Hower, who has been and is at present the editor and publisher ; it is a four- page paper, of eight columns each. It is a weekly paper, aud is issued every Friday. The News is in-

dependent in politics aud devoted to local and general news, and encourages the enterprise and thrift of the community in which it is published. The News Print- ing-House is located on Lancaster Avenue, Bryn Mawr. Frank A. Hower, the proprietor of The News, has been connected with journalism for many years. Among the newspapers with which he has been as- sociated are The Pennsylvanian, published in Lancas- ter ; The Coatesville Times ; The Democratie Guard, Sunbury, Pa .; The Morning Express, The Anti-Mon- opolist, published in Philadelphia. He also estab- lished The Home News, June 1, 1877, at Bryn Mawr.

The Ambler Gazette. - The local newspaper often precedes the organization of the borough. "Ambler" Village sustains its weekly paper, as it does its independent school district and its bank.

The Gazette is the successor of the Ambler Times, founded by Dr. Rose in the year 1879. Irwin S. Weber succeeded the founder in 1882, and changed the name to the Ambler Gazette. The establishment was purchased from Mr. Weber by the present pro- prietor, Horace G. Lukens, and the paper is issued weekly. It is devoted to local news, and sustains all well-grounded enterprises for the good of the com- munity in which it is published, preserving inde- pendence in politics.

The Daily and Weekly Times .- The Daily and Weekly Times was founded by William Rennyson, Esq., of Bridgeport, Pa. The office of publication was established at No. 52 East Main or Egypt Street, Norristown. The first number of the Daily was issued November 11, 1881. The proprietor of this journalistic enterprise sought public favor upon business principles, and offered a cheap and readable paper to its subscribers and patrons. It is the only one-cent daily paper published in the capital town of the county, and from its initial edition has enjoyed a large circulation, being distributed by newsboys in the borough and by mail throughout the county. December 5, 1881, the paper was enlarged to its present size. The founder of this journal, who is also identified with the industrial interests of the Schuyl- kill Valley, soon found it necessary to place the establishment on a permanent basis, and therefore transferred the entire property to the Times Company, Limited, March 11, 1882, associating Mr. W. H. Yerkes, formerly of Hatboro' Public Spirit, who as- sumed the business management of the paper. The editorial and local departments were placed under the direction of Mr. George F. Meredith, with an efficient corps of assistants.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, Part 108

Author: Bean, Theodore Weber, 1833-1891, [from old catalog] ed; Buck, William J. (William Joseph), 1825-1901 Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Philadelphia, Everts & Peck Number of Pages: 1534

Author: Bean, Theodore Weber, 1833-1891, [from old catalog] ed; Buck, William J. (William Joseph), 1825-1901
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Philadelphia, Everts & Peck
Number of Pages: 1534