Source:Fleming-cramer
George T. Fleming. "Life and times of Zadok Cramer: Career of Pittsburgh's most noted publisher set forth—thoughts on the man and some details of his publishing business here—his book stocks and his books output—his partners, John Spear and William Eichbaum, Jr.: Wide variety of the Cramer publications—James Hughes, pioneer preacher and author—Cramer, a great traveler—his posthumous magazine—"The Western Gleaner"—an estimate of his character and an account of his last days." Pittsburgh Gazette Times, Oct. 14, 1923, sec. 5, [p. 7]. Newspapers.com 85847031.
PITTSBURGH'S prosperous and most famous book publisher as we have seen from previous articles on this page was Zadok Cramer, his print shop and publishing house on Market street, between Front and Second streets, "At The Sign of The Franklin Head." Cramer, a man of great activity, upright of life and gentle in spirit, passed from this life in his fortieth year. He was distinctively a public benefactor, not only in his local community but nationally.
His whole aim in life tended to the uplifting of his fellow men. He was a preacher of morality and acted it. In this year, 1923, we can read the life story of Zadok Cramer with fitting appreciation of his worth and standing in the border town of Pittsburgh in the first decade of the Nineteenth Century. He has rested in an unknown grave for one hundred and ten years—a grave long since lost and many hundred miles distant from his home town, Pittsburgh. Today we can read further of his business career and something of the man himself.
Zadok Cramer's book business prospered and while there were other mercantile establishments in Pittsburgh, Cramer's was the only store where the sale of books was the predominant feature. We will notice further on in this article that Cramer added a few lines to his business and that he was a pioneer in one of these lines, and that was in the sale of wall papers. The well known Oliver Ormsby who came to Pittsburgh with Forbes in 1758, lived in Pittsburgh for many years. He had a store on Water street at the corner of Chancery lane. Ormsby had a diversified stock of goods, among them certain kinds of books. He was a liberal advertiser in the columns of the Pittsburgh Gazette and in one of these advertisements, October 10, 1800, the Pittsburgh public was informed that Ormsby had for sale, "Dilworth's and Webster's Spelling books, testaments and Bibles in Dutch and English, primers, toy books, and a variety of histories, novels, etc." William Christy also sold books at his store, as did John Wrenshall. The latter, who was a minister as well as a store keeper, made a specialty of sermons, especially those of the celebrated Dr. Johnathan Edwards, as his advertisement states. These book stocks compared with Cramer's were insignificant.
In the papers of 1802 Cramer's advertisement called his store "The Pittsburgh Book Store." He was practically the only publisher of books in the small town of Pittsburgh, as John Scull seems to have given his whole attention to the Pittsburgh Gazette and his job work business. Cramer was the first to sell wall paper in Pittsburgh, advertising in the Tree of Liberty in May, 1803, in which he stated that he had a large stock of hanging or wall papers. Articles of stationery were offered for sale; writing paper, Italian and hot pressed letter paper, wafers, quills, camel hair pencils, ink stands, sealing wax and red and black ink powders. In those days before the use of envelopes, you folded your letter in a certain way and sealed it with a wafer and stamp, and made your own ink. People also made their own quills, but many found it convenient to buy quills, as all were not adepts with the pen knife. Turkey feathers were esteemed good quill material and goose feathers were most excellent. Blotting paper was not in use. It is within the memory of the writer hereof that black sand was sifted over the page of writing to take up the surplus ink. Sometimes the quill wrote broadly, especially when it was worn. The sand holder was a pepper box affair, generally of wood, a "sand cellar" so to speak, the sand once white darkening from frequent use. Doubtless Cramer had such for sale also. A curious side line, and not at all relevant to books was patent medicines, largely advertised in the papers of the day as veritable curealls. These were largely used and Cramer found it profitable to supply the demands.
Card playing was one of the great diversion [sic] of the time; both American and imported cards of fine design were in use and Cramer had the best quality of cards to be found in Pittsburgh. To elevate and refine the standard of living in the little border community of Pittsburgh, school books and books of instruction were necessary, and Cramer met the demand for them. In the first year of his book business, as we learn from The Gazette of 1801, he advertised books of instruction for the flute, violin and piano-forte. He had a stock of all the English dictionaries in use before the advent of Noah Webster. A great part of his printed work was in the German language: almanacs, Bibles and testaments and text books in that language for use in the German schools attached to the German churches hereabouts.
When the French territory of Louisianna [sic] was ceded to the United States there arose a great interest in that section. There was a great increase in the number of students of French, especially among Americans who intended to trade with the people of that territory or expected to emigrate there. Cramer supplied the demand for suitable books printed in French. He added Greek and Latin texts and Greek and Latin dictionaries, and also Spanish grammars, for Florida was still Spanish territory. The partnership with John Spear was formed in 1808 with the firm name as Cramer & Spear. However, the store continued to be called "Zadok Cramer's Book Store" and is found advertised also as "Zadok Cramer's Classical, Literary and Law Book Store." William Eichbaum, Jr., became a member of the firm in 1810, the firm name being changed to Cramer, Spear & Eichbaum. Eichbaum had served a seven-years' apprenticeship in book binding with Cramer and had continued in the employ of Cramer & Spear. In the Tree of Liberty, November 6, 1802, Cramer advertised for a young man of good morals and respectable character who was wanted to learn the book-binding business. Eichbaum is presumed to have been the aforesaid youth.
William Eichbaum was for many years one of the best known citizens of Pittsburgh and city treasurer at the time of his death in 1866. He lived at that time on Wylie avenue, on the left side going up, next to the corner of Washington street, previously on Colwell street near Logan, and before that at the corner of Stevenson and Vickroy streets, close to the Mercy Hospital. Mr. Eichbaum was born in France in 1787 and came to Pittsburgh with his parents in early childhood. He married the daughter of John Johnston. Mrs. Eichbaum died in 1882, aged 90, having survived her husband 15 years.
Five years after the death of Zadok Cramer in 1813, his widow, Elizabeth, who took over his business, continued the firm of Cramer, Spear & Eichbaum, died and Mr. Eichbaum withdrew; the firm name reverted to Cramer & Spear. One hundred and ten years after Cramers' [sic] death it is impossible to keep a complete list of his publications. Mr. Dahlinger in his book, "Early Social Life of Pittsburgh," has named approximately 70. These are of wide range and have been classified by Mr. Dahlinger according to the character of their contents, ecclesiastical, biographical, historical, philosophical, poetical, books of travel and even belles-lettres. Cramer's best output was his "Navigators" and his next the almanacs. His school books, especially for children in the primary grades, were extremely useful. Prominent among these were the United States Spelling Book and the New England Primers.
In the years in which Cramer furnished ecclesiastical books there was a great demand for them and catechisms in many forms were used as books of primary instruction. These books were in a manner controversial. Some of these were so elaborate of theories in regard to matters infinite, that Cramer apologized for printing them as can be found in his advertisement in the Pittsburgh Magazine Almanac for 1810, also his publication. In the notice of one work of this nature, he stated in the Almanac referred to: "On the recommendation of some pious friends, we contemplate printing A Token for Children, Being an exact Account of the Conversion, holy and exemplary Lives and Joyful Deaths of several young children!" What satisfaction there would be, so long after these joyful deaths, etc., to know how large an edition Mr. Cramer disposed of.
The Rev. James Hughes, was pastor of the Presbyterian churches at Lower Buffalo in Washington county, Pa., and the neighboring towns of West Liberty in Ohio county, now West Virginia. He was also a trustee of Jefferson College at Canonsburg. Hughes was a noted preacher of his day, educated under the direction of those pioneer ministers, the Revs. Joseph Smith and Thaddeus Dodd. The Rev. Hughes became principal of the Academy at Oxford, O., in 1818. This school became, and still exists as Miami University. His able biographer at the end, closed with the statement, "He died May 22, 1821 at Oxford, O., aged 56 years, living a beautiful record of zeal in the Lord's work." As early as 1788 Hughes was a pastor in the Pan Handle Region, preaching at Short Creek in West Virginia, and at Lower Buffalo. Naturally a work of so noted an ecclesiastic would find ready sale. J. Hughes, therefore, drove over to Pittsburgh and had a talk with Zadok Cramer, publisher; the result was that Cramer printed a book under the comprehensive title, "The Marks of a Work of the Spirit, together with Remarks Respecting the Present Astonishing Work of God, and Revival of Religion in the Western Country," by J. Hughes of West Liberty. This work was advertised in the Tree of Liberty, June 4, 1803. Cramer in pursuit of information for his Navigators, traveled extensively. He is known to have made a voyage down the Ohio in 1806 and to have been in Kentucky in 1810.
He has also the record of being a passenger on the New Orleans, the first steamboat operated on the Western rivers. The regular route of this boat during its lifetime, was between Natchez and New Orleans. In the Navigator of 1814 it is stated that Cramer made two trips from Natchez to New Orleans, on this celebrated pioneer boat. This information was not published until some months after Cramer's death. while in New Orleans in December, 1811, Cramer met his townsman, Henry Marie Brackenridge, the son of Hugh Henry Brackenridge. H. M. Brackenridge arranged with Cramer for the publication of Brackenridge's book, "Views of Louisianna [sic]," which did not appear until a year after Cramer's death.
Cramer was enterprising and sagacious. He soon realized that any books of local interest would find ready sale. Among these books was the elder Brackenridge's "Modern Chivalry;" another was "Incidents of the Insurrection of Western Pennsylvania," which was known in history as the Whisky Insurrection, by the same author, which was Brackenridge's effort to vindicate his course throughout those trying times. Judge Alexander Addison's "Impeachment" in 1803 by the General Assembly of Pennsylvania and his removal from the bench of the Fifth District, which included Allegheny county, created most profounded [sic] interest in this section. The account of this trial was published in Lancaster, then the capital of Pennsylvania. This work is still extant and at the time large numbers were sold in Pittsburgh and eagerly read.
The story of Col. James Smith's captivity among the Indians at Fort Duquesne in the summer of 1755, originally published at Lexington, Ky., in 1799, was another work that had great popularity. Smith was a prisoner at Fort Duquesne at the time of Braddock's defeat and saw the horrors attendant upon the return of the Indians from that bloody field. A part of Smith's story was published in Craig's "History of Pittsburgh" and in his magazine, "The Olden Time." In 1870 an edition of this book was published in Cincinnati, bearing the title, "An Account of the Remarkable Occurrences of My Life," a reprint of the original edition. Smith's account is also to be found in some old time books, notably in the "Incidents of Border Life," published in Lancaster in 1841 and a reprint in a book entitled, "Indian Captivities" by Samuel G. Drake in 1853.
Four months after Cramer's death in December, 1813, one of his most important works in the line of publishing was a pretentious magazine which he had designed. This was a monthly of 64 pages, its title being "The Western Gleaner" or "Repository for Arts, Science and Literature." It is most curious and interesting work to this generation. Like all magazines of its time, the editors were strong on poetry, and poetical effusions were given much space.
Judge H. H. Brackenridge left Pittsburgh in 1799 and settled in Carlisle, Pa., having been appointed to the Supreme Court of this state. Brackenridge was a poet as stated in previous articles. On his first return to Pittsburgh he contributed a poem to "The Gleaner," under the title "On a Circuit at This Place;" a somewhat lugubrious bit of verse.
However this did not appear for 14 years after Brackenridge's removal. The verses can be found in the second volume of The Gleaner printed in 1814. The verses can be found if The Gleaner can be found, and if found other verses also some of those of "Recluse's" accepted by Editor Scull of The Gazette after being declined by the "uncommonly profound and very discerning editor of the Western Gleaner" in the language of the disappointed poet. Recluse's poems were published in Pittsburgh in 1817 with the title, "The Art of Domestic Happiness and Other Poems." No doubt a copy can be found in the Carnegie Library.
Cramer was one of the most active men in the small community of Pittsburgh. He became the secretary of the Mechanical Society here in 1803, and held this office for several years. This society was still going in 1808. Cramer was a faithful and efficient official and devoted much attention to the society. He was not active in the warm politics of his years in Pittsburgh. He was affiliated with the Republican party, the followers of Thomas Jefferson. He had a great regard for Jefferson, and was the agent in Pittsburgh for the sale of Jefferson's celebrated book, "Notes on Virginia."
In the list of the voters of Pittsburgh at the state election of 1805 in Pennsylvania, Cramer's name is found in the middle which seems to indicate that Cramer voted about noon. His partner, John Spear, was an early voter. The result in Pittsburgh was a triumph for Thomas McKean, Fusion candidate for governor, the vote standing 210 in his favor to 125 for Simon Snyder, but McKean had the support of the Federal party and won in the state.
The Republican party in Allegheny county was badly split in 1811 and each faction had a ticket in the field. Cramer was so much esteemed that he was named on the committee to reconcile the differing factions as it appears from an item in The Commonwealth of date September 29, that year. Cramer was a frail man and thoroughly enjoyed the free life of the out of doors. Farming appealed to him and he engaged in it with special attention to sheep raising. Josiah Clark, a Washington county farmer, was Cramer's brother-in-law. When Cramer died, enumerated in his personal estate were 128 sheep on Clark's farm. Cramer's wide travels have been mentioned; generally these trips were for the purpose of securing material for his "Navigator," new material having been added to each annual edition. In his last years, Cramer traveled in search of health, but unavailingly.
Cramer was an upright man, and though this nature impelled him at times to express opinions contrary to those expressed in books printed by him he wanted it known that the fact that he printed these books did not end to prove acquiescence in the views of their authors. Cramer was particularly opposed to horse racing especially the annual meet of the horse racing fraternity in Pittsburgh. Fortesque [sic] Cuming, who tarried in Pittsburgh while on his tour to the West, 1807–1809, noted the amusement features of the border town. Cramer's firm printed Cuming's book in 1810. On the page concerning the races Cramer added a foot note reading as follows:
"We are sorry to have to acknowledge that horseracing contrary to the express law of the state, has been more or less practiced within the vicinity of this place for a few years back; but we are pleased with the prospect of having it totally abolished by the influence of its evident impropripety [sic], danger and wickedness, operatiing [sic] on the minds of the more thoughtful and judicious."
Cramer's stand was justified. John Scull printed a communication in The Gazette at least six years previously, in which the writer declared the races as they were conducted were "a fruitful seminary of vice." This writer painted a sorry picture of the evils attending the sport. He said that schools and shops were closed and that the youth of both sexes ran to harm, folly and debauchery, and much money which ought to be expended in honest maintenance of the homes, and in the payment of honest debts, was squandered on sharpers, gamblers and sutlers.
Henry Marie Brackenridge in his book, "recollections of Persons and Places in the West,"vividly described these races, in the chapter on "Pittsburgh Thirty Years Ago," which was in 1800.
Cramer did not hesitate to disparage Pittsburgh in his vigorous opposition to any custom he thought morally wrong, or anything that was debasing. This is shown in an article in the Navigator for 1811, in which the statement is made that there were two or three whisky distilleries in Pittsburgh, following the statement with a vigorous disapproval of distilleries, and then, a quaint homily on the evils of intemperance. Cramer's words in part were: "We cannot say anything in praise of distilleries. Whisky as a medicine is good, that is to take it only when the system requires it, and no more than is sufficient to perform the part of a gentle stimulant; but to drink it as is now universally practiced, is destructive of health, strength, morals, religion and honesty; and is a serious national calamity, in which man sinks in the estimation of himself and becomes an abhorent [sic] in the eyes of God."
Cramer it would appear would gladly have been the Volstead of his times.
Cramer had never been robust; close attention to business and overwork broke him down and that scourge consumption, marked him for a victim. He obtained no alleviation by traveling through the South. Cuba was recommended to him as a s [sic] suitable climate. While on his way to Havana he was obliged to stop at Pensacola, Fla., where he died August 1, 1813, not having completed his thirty-ninth year. Despite his malady he was hopeful and cheerful and never once known to be fretful or ill-natured, and to the last he was planning new business projects. On the death of the widow, Cramer's daughter, afterwards the wife of Dr. J. B. Cochran of Pittsburgh, inherited her mother's interest and was a partner in the firm until it was finally wound up in 1835.
When Mrs. Cochran became a widow she moved to Beaver, Pa., with her three children. Mrs. Cochran died in 1854. Her children removed, first to Coatesville, Chester county, Pa., and from there to Freeport, Ill. Here the sons, Zadok Cramer Cochran and James Spear Cochran conducted an academy. James became a lawyer and prominent in politics in that section of Illinois. In 1916 both brothers were dead, but their sister, Mary, the wife of Joseph Emmert of Freeport, was still living there.
Down on the shores of the Gulf of Mexico the place of Zadok Cramer's remains are unknown, for they were laid in an unmarked grave. In this connection we are reminded that another man's remains were lost in Pensdacola [sic], whose history is written through pages of Pittsburgh's history and whose monument is here to remind us of his life and works. This was Henry Bouquet, soldier of fortune, maker and savior of Pittsburgh. His monument is the little blockhouse which bears his name. Bouquet, then a brigadier general in the British Army, died of yellow fever in Pensacola, August 28, 1765, after an illness of nine days. Zadok Cramer, who carried on business just outside of the walls of Fort Pitt, ailing for months, seeking relief from his slow, insidious malady, under the same skies and close to the white sands of the gulf, passed from this life and there is no stone to mark his final resting place. Bouquet is commemorated in Pittsburgh. His name lives and shines on the pages of history. The name of Zadok Cramer had become obscure. It has been the good fortune and the cheerful duty of Pittsburgh history writers of the Twentieth Century to bring his name to light once more, and write the story of his gentle and honorable life and his uplifting works.
On this Sabbath Day, October 14, 1923, let us be mindful of the career of Zadok Cramer and in silent reverence ponder upon the man and his times. We can truthfully believe that he builded better than he knew.
