The Historical Society of Montgomery County, PA has the largest collection of the Times Herald in the county. The issues we have available of this well-used resource start in October 1800. Newspapers can offer a unique view of the past. Most researchers look for obituaries or wedding announcements, but many also seek out news about diverse interests such as sports records, accidents, and graduation information. With the amount of use that our newspaper collection receives, it is no wonder that several of the Historical Society’s founders were involved with the industry.
The Times Herald
In 1831, Robert Iredell purchased the Norristown Free Press from Henry S. Bell. Bell started it as an anti-Masonic paper, a feeling that Iredell shared. Six years later, in 1837, Iredell purchased the Norristown Herald. He combined the two papers into the Norristown Herald and Free Press. From then until 1864, Iredell ran the paper by himself—apart for a two-three-year period in which he co-owned it with William Butler, Esq. Apart from the anti-Masonic messages, Iredell’s paper was loyal to both Whig and anti-slavery principles. Now known as the Times Herald, the paper remains a regional resource that is printed in Exton, PA.
Montgomery Ledger
William J. Binder purchased half of the interest in the Montgomery Ledger from the late William L. Williamson. By 1879 he was the sole proprietor. In 1873 the Montgomery Ledger was a weekly paper. Binder decided to start a daily paper, the Daily Pottstown Ledger, which he ran with fellow Historical Society of Montgomery County, PA founder Lewis H. Davis. This paper was neutral in politics and holds the title of oldest daily newspaper in Pottstown. Binder worked as editor and publisher for the Pottstown Ledger for more than fifty-four years.
Schwenksville Item/Lansdale Reporter/Ambler Gazette/Doylestown Intelligencer
Arthur K. Thomas’s dedication to the news industry is unparalleled even among the other founders who worked in newspapers. After finishing his schooling, Thomas went to work as an editor for a newspaper in Atlanta, Georgia. Once he returned to Pennsylvania, he set to work founding and editing new newspapers throughout Montgomery County. The list of newspapers that he owned includes the Schwenksville Item, the Lansdale Reporter, the Ambler Gazette, and the Doylestown Intelligencer. He was also integral in establishing the Press League of Bucks and Montgomery counties, of which he was the first president. He was forced to retire from active newspaper work in 1910.
Temperance newspapers
Moses Auge dedicated himself to his everlasting legacy through the printed word. He mistook publication as a guarantee of fame throughout the ages. Apart from his published books, which explored the history in and around Norristown and Montgomery County, he also attempted to publish newspapers to spread the word of temperance. His first stab was purchasing the Olive Branch in 1850 and spending one hundred dollars (over $4,000 in 2025 money) to move it from Doylestown to Norristown. In 1857 he changed the name to the Norristown Republican. Unfortunately, he was forced to sell the paper in 1862 following a libel case (see previous blog post here and subsequent update post here). He returned to the printing business from 1871-1874 when he published a small temperance paper, True Witness. Even though he had left owning and publishing his own papers after that, he maintained an active public profile in print, such as his 1888 argument with the Times Herald about reporting suicides. Auge was against it.
Crime reporter
When researching founder William M. Clift, there was some confusion. First there were reports of him as a lawyer and then others that claimed he was a newspaper reporter. It turns out that both were correct and for an important reason! While he never practiced law, he used his legal education to influence his reporting on crimes. In addition, before 1875, the notes at court proceedings were taken by hand by the presiding judge and lawyers. Then came the stenographers, of which Clift was one. In the summer of 1889, Clift became the first stenographer in Norristown to use a phonograph to take dictation. This did not last long as he felt he could do better by just using shorthand. It appears that Clift took his notes and transferred them into newspaper articles. For example, he wrote a report for the Daily Herald about a body snatching case in 1884. Clift used his investigative journalist skills to trace a “suspicious trunk” mentioned during the trial. After the article was published, the legal team was able to provide a verdict on the case based on said trunk which they might have overlooked if not for Clift’s reporting.
So many of the founders of the Historical Society of Montgomery County, PA immersed themselves in the various stages of newspaper publishing. They brought to HSMCPA the importance of recording the moments of the day in printed form and remembering these moments. This holds true today when many of our patrons come to look through our assorted newspaper collections.
Tune in next month as we continue with Clift, his relationship with the legal system, and our other founders with connections to the law.
Erica Slason’s article offers a compelling exploration of how newspapers have served as vital instruments in preserving local history. By highlighting the Historical Society’s extensive collection of the Times Herald, dating back to 1800, the piece underscores the invaluable role of journalism in documenting community life. The profiles of early newspaper pioneers like Robert Iredell, William J. Binder, and Arthur K. Thomas add depth to our understanding of their contributions to regional media. This insightful read not only celebrates the rich history of Montgomery County’s press but also emphasizes the enduring importance of journalism in safeguarding our collective memory.