JOHN WYETH 1770-1858

WYETH, JOHN, son of Ebenezer Wyeth, was born March 31, 1770, at Cambridge, Mass., and died January 23, 1858, at Philadelphia, Pa.  He was, at an early age, apprenticed to the printing business, and, on reaching his majority, was induced to go to San Domingo, to superintend 

a large printing establishment.  While there the insurrection of the blacks occurred, and all that he had acquired was lost.  It was with 

great difficulty that he even succeeded in escaping from the island, and then only by the connivance of a friend, one of the officers who 

assisted in searching the vessels about leaving the port.  Dressed as a common sailor and working among them, he eluded their vigilance, and subsequently reached Philadelphia.  Arriving at Philadelphia, he worked some time in the different printing establishments there, and, in 1792, went to Harrisburg, Pa., where, in connection with John Allen, he purchased the paper started the previous year by Maj. Eli Lewis, and commenced the publication of the Oracle of Dauphin, a newspaper he 

successfully carried on until November, 1827.  Mr. Wyeth's paper supported the Federal views of that great party during the whole course of its existence.  Its columns were open, nevertheless, to the communications of all.  In those days, before the principles of 

Republican rule were fully digested, many a nervous essay was put forth on either side of the question by able men of both parties.  He was appointed postmaster of Harrisburg in October, 1793, under the 

administration of President Washington, of which he was a strenuous advocate and admirer.  He was removed in July, 1798, by Mr. Adams' 

Postmaster General on account of "the incompatability of the office of 

postmaster and the editor of a newspaper."  In connection with his newspaper, Mr. Wyeth established a bookstore and a publishing house, 

from which he issued a large number of books, the most notable of which were:  Judge Henry's "Narrative of the Quebec Expedition," Graydon's 

"Memoirs," and a music book compiled by himself.  The circulation of the latter, for that early day, was wonderful, its several editions aggregating one hundred and twenty thousand copies.  To this he supplemented a second part, intended especially for the Methodist church, of which there were published about twenty-five thousand.  He was one of Harrisburg's most energetic citizens, and was deeply interested in its prosperity and welfare.  He caused the construction 

of several valuable improvements, which remain as evidence of his enterprising spirit and good judgment.  He was one of the earliest 

friends of the Harrisburg Academy, and served as a trustee, of which body he was also president.  Upon his retirement from publisher, he removed to Philadelphia, where he died at the advanced age of eighty-eight years.  His life, thus prolonged, was marked by affability and 

cheerfulness, and his philosophy was of practical character.  He was exceedingly industrious, and, whilst in business, could always find something for his hands to do, and in later life, when the concerns of his printing office were transferred to younger hands, he knew how to divide his time between his reading and his social pleasures.  Mr. Wyeth was twice married; married, first, June 6, 1793, Louisa Weiss, born April 29, 1775; died June 1, 1822, at Harrisburg, Pa.; daughter of Lewis and Mary Weiss, of Philadelphia.

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