Part of the Indiana Biographies Project
Benjamin F. Wissler
The influence of the press upon political opinion cannot be estimated, but that it is very great is acknowledged by all. The bright, enterprising journal will often do more to arouse thought and feeling than the most carefully prepared addresses or argument, catching by a single witty or well worded sentence the attention of a reader, and awakening a train of reasoning which will often produce results that lengthy discussions could not do. Among the leading Democratic papers in eastern Indiana is the Sun-Telegram, of Richmond, published by the B. F. Wissler Publishing Company, of which our subject is president and editor. His keenly analytical mind, his readiness in noting the most important points, and his strong logical powers have combined to make the journal with which he is connected a leading newspaper of this locality.
Mr. Wissler was born in Henry county, Indiana, just across the line from Cambridge City, Wayne county, July 30, 1848, his parents being John M. and Elizabeth (Herr) Wissler. The family is of German Swiss lineage, the ancestors coming from Switzerland to the United States in the latter part of the eighteenth century. They located in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, where Peter Wissler, the grandfather of our subject, was born in 1786. In the early part of the present century he came to Wayne county, locating near Cambridge City in 1822. There he spent his remaining days, his death occurring in 1876, when he had reached the advanced age of ninety years. Throughout his life he followed the occupation of farming. He was a member of the Mennonite church and lived a quiet, unassuming life, in harmony with the doctrines in which he believed. He married Fannie Martin, of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, and to them were born fourteen children, of whom John M. Wissler was the tenth in order of birth.
The father of our subject was born near Cambridge City, in 1823, and resided there until after his marriage, when he removed to Henry county, where he has since made his home. When a young man he learned the carpenter's trade, afterward began contracting and building on his own account and for many years carried on an extensive and profitable business. In 1883 he retired to private life and is now enjoying a well earned rest at his pleasant home, which is situated on a farm near New Lisbon. He is a consistent member of the Brethren in Christ, and his upright life commands the regard of all. In 1847 he married Elizabeth Herr, who is also living. She is a daughter of Christian Herr, whose direct ancestors came to America from Switzerland prior to the Revolutionary war, locating in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. The founder of the family in America bore the name of Christian Herr. and in Lancaster county he purchased one thousand acres of land, on which, with others, he erected an iron furnace; but his partners swindled him out of all of his property. Five generations in direct line of descent to our subject bore the name of Christian. The grandfather came to the west in 1839, locating northwest of Cambridge City, where he spent the remainder of his life, engaged in farming. He and his family were also connected with the Brethren in Christ. Unto John M. and Elizabeth Wissler were born five children, but only two are living: Benjamin, of this review; and Christian P., who resides on the old homestead, near New Lisbon.
Benjamin Franklin Wissler was reared near Cambridge City, and was educated in the high school and in the Spiceland Academy. Successfully passing the state examination in 1884, he received a life certificate, and began teaching when eighteen years of age. He followed that profession for twenty-six consecutive years in Wayne and Henry counties, with the exception of four years spent as county superintendent. He was principal of the schools of Hagerstown for three years, from 1884 until 1887, and from 1887 until 1891 was County superintendent of Wayne county, filling the position for two terms. During these four years he introduced many reforms in school management, some of which have since become distinctive features of the state school system. Among these are the provisions for free high-school instruction to all the pupils of the country districts who are ready for such instruction, the concentration of the small district schools into graded township or village schools, and the bi-monthly examination of pupils on questions prepared by the state board of education. Wayne county was thus the first to put these reforms into effect. For four years, from 1894 until 1898, he served as assistant postmaster of Richmond, and in both offices was a competent and faithful official.
In 1890 Mr. Wissler purchased The Sun, a weekly paper, of which he was editor and proprietor until 1897, when it was combined with the Richmond Telegram, under the ownership and management of the B. F. Wissler Publishing Company, which was incorporated, with our subject as president of the company and editor of the paper. They publish the Richmond Sun-Telegram, a weekly journal, and since September, 1896, have issued the Daily Sun-Telegram. The former is a six-column, twelve-page paper and has a larger circulation than any other weekly in Wayne county. The Telegram was established in 1862 and is therefore the second oldest paper published in the county. It is also the only one in the county devoted to the advocacy of Democratic principles, and the cause of the party finds in it an earnest, zealous and able champion. The Daily Sun-Telegram is a six-column, eight-page paper, and both give evidence of the high editorial ability of Mr. Wissler, whose clear presentation of every question which he treats has borne marked influence upon his constituency.
On the 5th of August, 1869, Mr. Wissler married Miss Sylvania Needler, a daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth Needler, of Henry county, Indiana. They have seven children: Clarkson D., who was graduated in the Indiana University at Bloomington in 1895, and afterward was assistant in that institution for a year, but is now professor of experimental psychology in the Ohio State University at Columbus; Alice Gary, deceased; Cora E., who is register clerk in the Richmond postoffice; John E., foreman of the Sun-Telegram office; Lizzie O., a student in the high school; and Frank E. and Arthur, both at home.
Mr. Wissler is a member of the Knights of Pythias fraternity, and as a citizen he is public-spirited and progressive, lending his active suppport to all measures which he believes will advance the general welfare along educational, moral, social and material lines. Since 1892 he has been chairman of the Democratic county central committee, and is a recognized leader in the ranks of his party. His genial temperament, courteous manners and broad-minded principles render him a favorite with all, and the circle of his friends is almost co-extensive with the circle of his acquaintances.
Source:
Biographical and Genealogical History of Wayne, Fayette, Union and Franklin Counties, Indiana, Volume 1, The Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago, 1899