The Encyclopedia Americana (1920)/Ochs, Adolph S.

OCHS, ŏks, Adolph S., American publisher: b. Cincinnati, Ohio, 12 March 1858. His early life was that of a country lad, and he obtained a common school education at Knoxville, Tenn., where for a year he served as carrier and newsboy. In 1871 he was grocer's clerk at Providence, R. I., attending a night school meanwhile. He then returned to Knoxville, where he was a druggist's apprentice for a year. Later he learned the printing trade, and in 1876 he became assistant to the foreman in the composing room of the Knoxville Tribune. In 1877 he joined the staff of the Chattanooga Dispatch and became its editor-in-chief. In 1878 he acquired a half interest in the Chattanooga Times, which he developed into a leading newspaper of that State. Incidentally, he established The Tradesman, which is familiar to Southern business men, in which periodical he still owns a large interest. He also established the Southern Associated Press and became its president. In 1896 Mr. Ochs became publisher and controlling owner in the New York Times. In 1901 he purchased the Philadelphia Times, which was managed by his brother, George Washington Ochs. The next year he paid more than $2,500,000 for the Philadelphia Public Ledger, and the two papers were consolidated. Just, considerate, resourceful, enlightened of view, undaunted by difficulties and unspoiled by success, preferring always the straight and open way to the path of indirection, as mindful of public responsibility as private duty, loyal to principle even at the cost of present advantage, one of the best and highest examples of the commercial publisher, Mr. Ochs is a recognized force of international importance.