American Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1855-1860, 1855-03-29
Death of the Editor.

II has become our painful duty to announce that
BENJAMIN OSWALD, Esq, editor and publisher of
this paper, expired on Saturday aftcrnooD the 18th
inst. For the last eight or nine months our readers
were from time to time Informed Of the state of his
health, sometimes In terms of hope, and sometimes
otherwise. His disease having become chronic and
deeply seated resisted every effort Of the best mcdi
cal skill, his fine constitution at length succumbcd
and he sunk rapidly though gently into the arms of
DEATH retaining TO the last tho full strength of his
mental powers.
MIR. oswALD was born in Washington county, Mary
land, in April 1863. lie served regular apprentice
ship to the printing business with the late TnoMA As
GREvEs Of Hagerstown, Nd, and being endowed
by nature with Intelligence and quickncss essential
In Il good printer, he soon became an accomplished
Workman.
His first enterprise life after the close of his term of
apprenticeship, the establishment In April, 1896 in
connection with Gen, GEORGE SANDERs0N, of tho La N
CASTER OHIO GAZETTE, and continued us part
proprietor and editor for three years. when the demise
of his mother rendered il necessary for him to sell out
and return to Maryland. That paper still exists and
bears high character.
He soon afterwards became associated with the late
Mr.. PRTTs, in the publication Of the CuAMBERsBURGu
VINO, paper which for usefulness and influence Is
cxcelled by none In the interior of the state.
In the Spring Of 1898, he arrived in Klttannlng, and
took charge of the KITTANNING GAZETrE, upon the
tirement of josiah CorLEY, Esq, and continued to
issue the paper under that for three years. when
he became proprietor, AID changed the name TO that
which 1t still bears.
On the incoming Of Gen. HARRIsoS's administration,
In ls4i he was appointed Postmaster at that place,
which office he resigned shortly after the Inauguration on
OF Mr. Polk. Atthatperiod he was elected Justice
day of his death.
In every relation in life Mr. Oswald was faithful and
true; and In respect did he deyiate from the
path of recttudc. He ever firm, as editor, In
what ho believed to be right and his point.
with untiring zeal and welldirected skill He was q
ready aud forcble writer; and f the arrows he sho
were sometimes sharp, they were never barbed mol
poisoned. He won love and confidence of his po
ttca friends, and the respect and often the esteem
of his opponents. For period of twenty mine year
he continued TO discharge the oncrOus and RESPONSE
bic duties of editor, seventeen of which were spcn
IN this place.
As magistrate he was upright and judicious, ant
ever enjoyed the confidence of the community to de
gree rarely equaled. Asa citizen he was ever iroad
10 aid by his influence and exertons every objec
which commended itselfto his Judgment us conducive
10 tho well-bcing of society. In the endearcI
relations of domestic life he all that could be de
sired, and II was in the bosom of his family that h
spent his leisure hours and found his highest enjoy
ment. As Christian his piety was modest and unob
trusive. Educated iB the Lutheran Church, he con
tnued a member until recently; when, owing to tn
absence of stated services IN that communion he ut
tached himself 10 the Episcopal Church. Here wa
the source of his virtues In active life, and hence h
drew his confidence and consolation us he watche,
the slow bn approach ofdeath, during his tedou
and painful Illness He departed in peace, and h
rests in hope.-KittanNiRg (Pd) Free Press