The First Time a "George Bush" Came to Newark


by Nat Bodian

 

I do not have any memories of George H. W. Bush (President No. 41), or his son, George W. Bush (President No. 43) ever coming to Newark.

But there was a much earlier "George Bush" presence in Newark -- in 1832.

In that year, as a counter to the re-election campaign of Andrew Jackson, Henry Clay -- a Senator and leader of the Republican party -- teamed with running mate John Sargeant to oppose Jackson's re-election bid.

On March 1, 1832, a newspaper, with its main aim to get Clay elected, began publication in Newark on Market Street "two doors east of the market."

Amzi Armstrong, a well-known Newark attorney, had agreed to serve as its editor.

The publisher was "George Bush & Company."

Andrew Jackson was overwhelmingly re-elected, but the paper, though a money-loser, continued to publish after the election, and Armstrong stayed on as its editor.

It was New Jersey's first daily newspaper.

In 1833, when the paper began its second year of publication, the ownership and management changed hands, but the name of the original publisher "George Bush & Company," was retained, and the "George Bush" who originated the paper remained with the Newark Daily Advertiser as manager of the mechanical department.

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(All of the information for the above entry obtained from "Atkinson's History of Newark" published 1878).

 


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