Newspapers of Clermont County

by Barbara McCarthy

This is an effort to compile any information on any newspaper published in or for Clermont County. A chronological index attempting to catalogue every newspaper from 1813 to 1991 can be found here. The information was gleaned from various sources:

History Of Clermont County, 1880 Clermont County, Ohio 1980, History Of Clermont & Brown Counties, Ohio 1913, Guide To Ohio Newspapers 1793-1973, Early Days In Clermont County 1964, History Of Southwest Ohio Vol I, Thirey & Mitchell's Encyclopedic Directory & Hist. Of Cler. Co., Loveland ... It's Beginnings, Batavia Library, Bethel Library, Milford Library, Ohio Historical Society, Western Reserve Historical Society, Loveland Museum, Milford Museum, New Richmond Museum, Courier Office, Sun Office, Bethel Journal Office, Clermont Co. Review Office, Personal Interviews, and Newspaper Articles.

The Advance

Published in Batavia, Ohio, in 1874. Shepherd G. Norrls was publisher and proprietor. Daniel Hillin was the editor. In April of 1875, the name was changed to THE PATRONS' ADVANCE. On the 18th of Feb 1880, Mr. James Robinson, who was now the editor and publisher, changed the name back to the original title, THE ADVANCE. All issues are missing as of this date.

* See PATRONS' ADVANCE, CLERMONT ADVANCE, NATIONAL ADVANCE

The Advertiser

Published in New Richmond, Ohio, in 1868. Browning Brothers were editors and publishers, and set the job office up in New Richmond with D. S.Croshaw in charge. THE ADVERTISER was a 4-page monthly. No record shows when it was discontinued. We know of no issues in existence today.

Bethel Journal

Published in Bethel, Ohio, in 1898*, there have been five owners: 1 and 2 are unknown, 3: Christian Althaus, 4: Bussell Althaus, 5: the present owner, Mimi Ford Paul. The Bethel Journal absorbed the FELICITY TIMES in 1912. The present office is at 115 S. Main Street, Bethel,  OH 45106. Ph 734-4017. Microfilm for the years 1916-1950 can be found at the Bethel Branch and Batavia Branch Libraries. However, it is most difficult to read.

* See FELICITY TIMES

Chronicle Of The Times

Published In Batavia, Ohio, in 1829. David Morris was the first editor. It was a weekly newspaper and of National Republican persuasion. Last published in 1835. The Ohio Historical Society has the only known hard copies.

Clermont Advance

Published in Batavia in 1895, the cost of a 1-year subscription was $1.50. It was a 56-column paper published weekly. Otherwise known as THE ADVANCE. It is not known when or if the paper's masthead deleted the name Clermont or how long it was in existence.  Only one issue is known to exist, and it is owned by the Clermont County Genealogical Society.

* See NATIONAL ADVANCE, ADVANCE

Clermont County Review

It began publication late 1969 or early 1970 by the publisher, Arnold H. Nichols, and editor Anita M. Nichols. The present and only other
publisher is Dennis A. Nichols. Published in Cincinnati, Ohio, at present by Nichols Printing Co., Inc., (Mt. Washington Press) 6124
Corbly Rd., Cin. Oh 45230. Ph 231-6221 OHS has some copies on microfilm.

* See OHIO PIKER

Clermont Courier

Published in Batavia, Ohio, on 19 Mar 1836. A weekly newspaper, the Whig, was in politics from 1836-1854. The founders were Andrew M. Gest and R. W. Clark.  They used the same room that belonged to the CHRONICLE OF THE TIMES, same type, press, and Gest was a former employee. Andrew Clarke came from the SUN office and became editor. Hilton Jamieson was the printer's boy and carrier in Batavia. From 1836-37, the COURIER was in a building that later belonged to Wm. Baum. 24 Aug 1836 A. M. Gest took as a partner Learner B, Leeds. 8 Apr 1837 R. W. Clarke ceased to edit the paper. Mr. Gest & Leeds became both editors and proprietors. Then it was removed to the "Dennison" building, which was a law office for Swing & Brunaugh. Leeds dropped out 1 month later, and on 30 Jan 1846, Lorenzo Dow Morris took a 1/2 interest in the paper. On 26 Mar 1847, Mr. Gest dropped out and then turned around and bought out Morris on 27 Aug of the same year and took back R. W. Clarke as Joint editor. In the summer of 1848, R. W. Clarke retired again, and Mt. Gest became the sole editor until he died in 1851. In 1850, they moved to the 2nd story of a frame building on the corner of Main & Market. Between 1852 - 1 Sep 1856, the owner was John R. S. Bond, and its political views were those of a Republican. 1856 -back to the Dennison building, to the second floor. John M. Kellum then became the owner and sold it to R. Y. Clarke, U.M. Jamieson on 27 Aug 1857. Mr. Clarke acted as editor. In 1857 to a building was constructed on the corner of the alley on Main St. just above the jail. 19 Aug 1858 Mr. Clarke dropped out, and in Sep of 1859 Jamieson sold an interest to Thomas D. Fitch. 1860 Jamieson sold his interest to three brothers: Thomas D., Didney A., and Charles T. Fitch, who had been printers in the establishment. 19 Jul 1862, the brothers sold the paper to Andrew B. Smith. In 1864, the paper moved to the Masonic building, later occupied by Dr. Bunn as a drug store. In 1865, Charles N. & Frank Browning bought it. In 1867, the office was moved to the Jamieson building. Sep 1877 John R. Woodluff bought it. Apr 1879 Charles W. Pegg bought it, and the editor was John H. Falrman. Jerald B. Fortney bought the paper in 1946 and sold it in 1975. He was responsible for allowing the CCGS to microfilm the Courier. Most of this newspaper is on microfilm, or the hard copy can be found in libraries. There are very few issues missing from this paper, 1841,1842, 1847, 1852-56, 1862-74, 1900, 1901, 1905, 1908. It is hoped that we can find single issues or whole years. CLERMONT COURIER is still being published, 629 Old State Rt. 74, Mt.Carmel, OH Ph 528-1111.

See the picture. Early days in Cler. Co pg 71 etc

Clermont Graphic

Published in Williamsburg, Ohio, on 26 Nov 1886. It is not known how long the politically independent, weekly newspaper lasted.
The Ohio Historical Society has only 2 single issues: the first, 26 Nov 1886, and a later issue, 10 June 1887.

Clermont Independent

The CLERMONT INDEPENDENT was published from 1885 to 1887 and became the INDEPENDENT NEWS. No known copies exist today.
* See INDEPENDENT & INDEPENDENT NEWS

Clermont Sentinel

Published in Williamsburgh on 4 July 1818, it was the third paper published in the county. Charles D. McManaman was the publisher and had
previously set type at the CENSOR office. It is said to be the first paper that incorporated the name of the county, in which it was issued,
as part of the masthead. The size was 10 1/2 by 16 and printed weekly on Saturday. The last issue is unknown. All Issues are missing.

The Clermont Sun

Published in Batavia, ca 1850, and was Democratic until 1966, thereafter Independent. Originally, it was called THE OHIO SUN until Mr. Leeds
changed the name. The office was in the second story of the Clare building on Market St., which was erected in 1828, out of brick, by
Thomas Morris for this purpose. There was a steam power cylinder press and 2 steam jobbers, and a proof press. Leeds sold the paper in the
spring of 1850 to John or James Evans, who promptly up and died on 12 Aug 1851. Mr. Leeds resumed control until 19 Aug 1852, when J. P. Thompson
bought it. On 2 Feb 1854, E. T. Norton purchased a 1/2 interest, and on June 8, sold his interest to Will C. Walker, who sold out in 1855. On 24
Jun 1854 Thompson died, and soon after, on 3 Aug, Andrew J. Sprague bought his half interest. Then, on 8 Feb 1855, Mr. Walker sold his 1/2 interest
to Smith Townsley, and Mr. Leeds re-entered the picture as editor. On the 24 of Jan 1856, Mr. Leeds bought out Townsley and 20; he bought
out Sprague. By 1860, W. R. Hartman had 1/2 half-interest as editor and publisher, and in 1864, Mr. Leeds retired, and Henry V. Kerr became the
owner. Allen T. and Dale 0. Cowan bought the paper on 1 Apr 1872, and Allen sold his share in 1875 to Willis M. Cowen.
Missing: 1850, 1851, 1852, 1854, 1858, 1861-76, 1969-71, 74 See OHIO SUN

Community Journal

Published by the COURIER office at 629 Cin-Bat. Pk. Mt. Carmel, Ohio, Ph 528-1111 Courier office has 1969 to present on microfilm.

Excelsior

Published at Batavia in 1858 by Dr. John M. Kellum, who was both editor and publisher. No one knows the length of its existence or if any copy is still around.

Farmers Friend

Published in Williamsburgh in 1820. The editor was William A. Camron, who came from Lebanon, OH, and floated the press down the river. It
measured 24 X 36 and was a weekly newspaper of general interest. Only a few copies still exist at the Ohio Historical Society.

Felicity Times

Published in Felicity, Ohio, sometime in 1685. Little is known about this paper because there are so few issues that exist. Eventually, the
BETHEL JOURNAL absorbed the FELICITY TIMES in 1912. The Clermont Co. Genealogical Society has a very few bits and pieces of an issue or two. * See BETHEL JOURNAL

The Hustler

Published in Loveland, the 22 June 1906 - 28 April 1 1911. It was owned and edited by J. A. Taylor in the early 1900s. Printed weekly in the
ground-floor office of the Town Hall Building. Loveland Museum owns many copies.

Independent

The INDEPENDENT was a weekly paper published from 1869 to about 1884. It was a general type newspaper published in New Richmond and changed its
name to CLERMONT INDEPENDENT * See CLERMONT INDEPENDENT & INDEPENDENT NEWS

Independent News

The INDEPENDENT NEWS was published from 1888 to 1920 and was merely a name change from CLERMONT INDEPENDENT.
Western Reserve has a few scattered issues for Jan of 1913 and 1914. * See INDEPENDENT & CLERMONT INDEPENDENT

Loveland Herald

LOVELAND HERALD was a weekly, general type newspaper published in Loveland, OH, and was independent in political persuasion. The
Tri-County Press was the predecessor of this newspaper and took the name LOVELAND HERALD in 1917. Jerald Fortney became a co-owner in 1974
and sold his interest in 1975. The Loveland Museum has most of the collection, with only a few of the early issues missing.

Loveland News World

The publisher was John Morbach. It was published in Loveland and had a short life of 1 year in the 1980s. Mr. Morbach has all the known copies.

Loveland Enterprise

The LOVELAND ENTERPRISE started in 1884 and eventually was consolidated with the LOVELAND RECORD.
* See LOVELAND RECORD & LOVELAND WEEKLY HERALD LOVELAND RECORD

* See LOVELAND ENTERPRISE

Loveland Weekly Herald

The first issue of the LOVELAND WEEKLY HERALD was printed on the 14th of July 1877. It had 4 pages: two for local news and two for
advertisements. It was closed for a while and started again under the name of the LOVELAND ENTERPRISE in 1884.

* See LOVELAND ENTERPRISE

Luminary

THE LUMINARY was published in New Richmond by four brothers: A., C., J., & W. Herron. The first Issue appeared on the 3rd of July 1823 and only
lasted about a year. The size was 18 X 24 and came out on Wednesday. Subscription was $2.00 in advance or $3.00 at the end of the year.
There was even an offer to deliver the paper free, by private mail.If there were a sufficient number of subscriptions in one place. The
The printing office consisted of the upper rooms of the Seneca Palmer fulling mill, which stood where the Wlllenbrink's feed store was in business.
All issues are missing.

Miami Valley News

Milford Museum has some hard copies.

Milford Advertiser

The MILFORD ADVERTISER was established in 1957 and published in Mlford. Jerald Fortney acquired the Milford Advertiser in 1952. The Courier has
1976 to the present, and OHS has 1971 to the present.

Milford Record

CCGS has a few copies; the rest are missing.

Morning Welcome

The NEW RICHMOND ADVERTISER became the MORNING WELCOME in 1855, but lasted only about one year. In 1856, Joseph Kerr & Co.
purchased the building, where it was being published, and began to publish the NEW RICHMOND WEEKLY DISPATCH. Pub1 ished in New Rlchmond.
No known issues survive.

* See NEW RICHMOND ADVERTISER, NEW RICHMOND WEEKLY DISPATCH

Mutual News

MUTUAL NEWS was published in Batavia, OH. I saw a photograph taken by Mr. Sharp of the front page of Vol. VII, no 32. At the time, that
Particular vol. was issued, the paper was being published by E. S. Rhodes.

National Advance

In the summer of 1878, the PATRONS ADVANCE became the National Advance and was edited by N. B. Ross. In February of 1880, he retired and on
On the 18th of February 1880, a Mr. Roblnson became editor and publisher and changed the name back to THE ADVANCE.
* See ADVANCE, PATRONS' ADVANCE

The Ohio Historical Society has an issue or two. The rest are missing.

New Richmond Advertiser

In 1854, Frank B. Strickland began publishing on a monthly basis. It started as 8 pages, but the size was reduced, and the following
year it became the MORNING WELCOME. No issues exist.

* See MORNING WELCOME

New Richmond Age

Published in New Richmond in 1851 by J. P. Thompson, who was also the editor. The proprietor was the Honorable Michael H. Davis. The paper
consisted of 4 pages and was 5 columns wide. The NEW RICHMOND AGE'S off ice was in the Sturges' building. Hugh Herrick took over as editor
very shortly, and on the 19th of Aug 1852, J. P. Thompson united the paper with the CLERMONT COURIER.
01-11 y one issue survives today, and can be found in the possession of the D.A.R. at the Waldschmidt House in Camp Dennison. The CCGS has a
photocopy of the original.

* See CLERMONT COURIER

New Richmond Independent

The first issue began 8th of Apr. 11 1869 and was conducted for about 5 years by D. S. Croshaw until it came under the proprietorship of
Winthrop Frazer. Printed in New Richmond every Saturday in the McMurchy's Arcade Building with a steam-powered press. At the time, I
It was the only press in the county containing a full assortment of German type.

New Richmond Press

Publisher of the Clermont Sun. Chet Hamilton had a column entitled Viewing the Valley in the 1950s. It is believed that Dick or Richard
Wenstrup had his works bound, and the SUN may have a copy.

New Richmond Telegraph

In the fall of 1866, W. G. Barkley bought a job press, which he set up in New Richmond and began publication. It only lasted 1 year.
All issues are missing.

New Richmond Weekly Dispatch

Joseph Kerr 8 Co., booksellers, bought the WELCOME office in 1856 and, with Mr. Strickland as editor, issued the NEW RICHMOND WEEKLY
DISPATCH. The printing office was opposite Whites' wharf in the 3rd story of McMurchy's building. After two years, it was discontinued.

Ohio Piker

The OHIO PIKER was established in September of 1951 by the publisher Arnold H. Nichols and the editor Anita M. Nichols. It stayed in the Nichols
family until late 1969 or early 1970, when it was sold. In 6 months, Nichols bought it back and changed the name to the CLERMONT COUNTY
REVIEW. The Nichols family owns all known copies.

see CLERMONT COUNTY REVIEW

Ohio Star

Scattered issues owned by the Ohio Historical Society for the year 1826. Published in New Richmond.

Ohio Sun & Clermont Advertiser

In 1833, the CLERMONT SUN became the OHIO SUN & CLERMONT ADVERTISER with Mr. Medary as editor. In 1836, he sold the paper to his brothers
Jacob B. Asher C. Medary, who changed the name back to the OHIO SUN.

* See CLERMONT SUN, OHIO SUN

Ohio Sun

The 1st issue of the OHIO SUN was published in Bethel on Wednesday, the 1st of July 1828. The publisher and editor was Samuel Medary. The
paper was 5 columns to a page and 13 1/2 X 21 1/2. The subscription was $2.00 in advance or $3.00 at the end of the year. The paper even took
produce for advertisements. It wasn't long until the office moved to Batavia, and in 1833, the name was changed to OHIO SUN & CLERMONT
ADVERTISER. In 1836, the name was changed back. Jacob & Asher C. Medary owned the paper from 1837-39.. In the winter of 37-38, they sold the
paper to James Ferguson who publ ished the paper wh i1 e st i l1 1i v i ng in Clay Co., IN. He gave it up to a committee with Col. Wm. Thomas as
chairman and with Mr. Willlam Gobright as the editor until 1840, when he, disgusted and frightened at the big Harrison upheaval, resigned and
went back East. In November of 1840, Learner B. Leeds (young printer up to this time) purchased the paper, and although a few issues were not
printed, it survived, and Leeds changed the name again in 1844 to the CLERMONT SUN.
Scattered issues held by the Ohio Historical Society and the Western Reserve.

* See CLERMONT SUN

The Patrons' Advance

The PATRONS' ADVANCE did not have a very long existence. The ADVANCE became the PATRONS' ADVANCE in Apr of 1875 and changed
its name in the summer of 1878 to the NATIONAL ADVANCE. Mr. Norris owned the paper until 1876, when he sold it to James Robinson.
All issues are missing.

* See Advance, National Advance

The Philanthropist

Published in New Richmond, it began in 1834, by James G. Birney, in a building on the corner of Walnut and Willow St. It contained 4 sheets,
was published weekly, and was an abolition newspaper. In the spring of 1836, it moved its office to Cincinnati and was destroyed on the 30th of
July 1836, because of its beliefs. Friends and supporters helped purchase a new outfit, and Mr. Birney resumed publication.
Ruth Greene, now deceased, had the Jan 1st 1836 edition copied and is the only known issue to survive.

Political Censor

The POLITICAL CENSOR was the first newspaper ever published in Clerrnont County and was printed at Williamsburg on Main St. on the most easterly
corner of lot no. 40. It began on Friday, January 15th, 1813. Published, owned, and edited by Thomas S. Foote, lawyer, and Robert Tweed, coroner.
The type setter was Charles D. McManaman. The paper was printed on an old Ramage pattern press so small that only half of 1 side of the sheet
could be printed, and the size was 15 1/2 X 9 1/2. The ink was applied to the forms with very small hand ink-balls. The paper had few
advertisements, no local news, and some national and foreign news that was two months old. It was delivered to subscribers in town and country
by carriers, but lasted less than a year. A11 issues are missing.

Rough & Ready

Published in Batavia from 1846 to 1848. It is listed as a Campaign and Whig newspaper.
The Ohio Historical Society has a few scattered issues.

Reporter

Published in Moscow.

Spirit of the Times

SPIRIT OF THE TIMES was called WESTERN PATRIOT and was published in Batavia by David Morris. The 1st issue was 21 July 1826, and in a couple
of years became CHRONICLE OF THE TIMES. The Ohio Historical Society has all known copies.

* See WESTERN PATRIOT & CHRONICLE OF THE TIMES

Tri-County Press

TRI-COUNTY PRESS was the predecessor of the current LOVELAND HERALD. It was published every Saturday by the editor W. W. Blalr from November 1901 to 1909.

* See LOVELAND ENTERPRISE, LOVELAND RECORD & LOVELAND HERALD

Valley Enterprise

VALLEY ENTERPRISE was a weekly, published in Milford between 1886-1920. It was an independent and general type of newspaper.
The Cincinnati Library and the Clermont County Genealogical Society have the only known copies.

Vindicator

Published between 1902 and 1907. It is not known just how long the paper survived. Only one known issue survives in private hands.

Weekly Dispatch

Published between 1857-58. All issues are missing.

Western American

Published at Williamsburgh on Main St. opposite Burlelgh's store. WESTERN AMERICAN was the second paper ever printed in Clermont County. 
The first issue began on 29 July 1814 and ended on 7 September 1816. Owners were David Morrls and George Ely. The paper was issued every Saturday, 12 X
19 inches, folded into 4 pages of 4 columns each. Subscription was $2.00 a year in advance, or $2.50 at the end of the year, and no paper
was discontinued until all arrearages were paid. That may be why it was disbanded in less than 3 years. Complete newspaper microfilmed, indexed by
Charles  Smith, and owned by the Clermont County Genealogical Society

Western Patriot

Published in Batavia on the 2nd floor, on Water Street, in a building that later became D. G. Dustin's tin shop. Mrs. Sarah Colby, the editor's
wife, had a millinery business on the 1st floor. Published between May 1824 and Aug of 1826, it was later called SPIRIT OF THE TIMES. Size
12 X 20, 4 pages, 4 columns, and published every Saturday. Printed and published by Z. Colby. Letters to the editor had to be prepaid, and
after the first 6 months. They advertised that they would take corn, wheat, flour, whiskey, oats, and pork in payment for subscription.
Ohlo Historical Society has a few scattered issues.

Williamsburg Times

WILLIAMSBURG TIMES is published in Williamsburg. Old Time Prlntery, owned and run by Jeff Prlckett in Batavia, OH, has an original mast head
from the paper and many of the wooden types used by the paper.

Yankee Doodle

Published in Batavia in 1856. Western Reserve has had an issue since 1859. Otherwise, we do not know when it was discontinued.
Western Reserve has the only scattered Issues known.