The National Cyclopaedia of American Biography Volume 3 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1893 Excerpt: ...would give him better opportunities to further his ambition, and thither he went, with letters of introduction to newspaper owners, from whom he immediately secured employment. It was in New York that he met his two fellow-printers, Win. M. Swain and Azariah II. Simmons, who, like himself, were anxious to branch out for themselves in the newspaper line, as joint owners of some new journal. The three decided upon Philadelphia as the place for their new enterprise; and on Feb. 29, 1836, articles of agreement were signed by the three men, whereby the Philadelphia "Public Ledger" was brought into existence. At first the venture was not attended with success, and some of the partners were inclined to take a gloomy view of the situation, but Mr. Abell never faltered in the belief of ultimate triumph. Matters soon grew more encouraging, and at the end of the year the proprietors began to look forward to the establishment of a similar paper in Baltimore, and it is with the founding of the "Sun " of Baltimore that Mr. Abell's name is particularly identified, for from the first the management of it was put under his sole personal control. The first number of the "Sun "was issued on May 17,1837, and its success was so marked that in a few years the firm was compelled to erect its own building, which was the first iron structure in this country. In 1864 the Philadelphia "Ledger" was sold by the surviving partners, Swain and" Abell, and in 1868 Mr. Abell, by purchase, became sole proprietor of the Baltimore "Sun." Mr. Abell was noted for a clear, calm judgment in business matters, that was as remarkable as rare. It amounted to a genius for every-day affairs, and was almost infallible in the quickness of its comprehe...