Charles Francis Pietsch (1844–1920), an American newspaper publisher, founder, and long-time publisher of ''Das Wochenblatt'', a weekly American newspaper printed in the

German language German ( ) is a West Germanic languages, West Germanic language mainly spoken in Central Europe. It is the most widely spoken and Official language, official or co-official language in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, and the Ita ...

Education and career

Reared in

Baltimore Baltimore ( , locally: or ) is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Maryland, fourth most populous city in the Mid-Atlantic, and the 30th most populous city in the United States with a population of 585,708 in 2020. Baltimore was d ...

, Maryland, and educated at the then famous Professor Scheib's School, C. F. Pietsch moved to Chicago in 1866, where, from 1867, he became associated with newspapers printed in German. From that same year, he was secretary, treasurer, and general business manager of the'' Illinois Staats-Zeitung ''(founded April 21, 1848), until he left in 1899. In 1904, he founded ''Das Wochenblatt'', a weekly American newspaper printed in German, headquartered at 35 North Dearborn Street—"If You Can Read German, Subscribe to ''Das Wochenblatt'', One Dollar Per Year, All Authentic News in a Nutshell"—which he was still publishing in 1920 at the time of his death. His obituary refers to him as "Chicago's oldest publisher.""Charles Francis Pietsch aus dem Leben geschieden", ''Das Wochenblatt'', May 13, 1920, p. 1.

Personal life

Charles F. Pietsch was a lover of classical music, and during the 1870s and 1880s, he was prominent in the musical life of Chicago. Largely through his efforts, the first chamber concerts were held in Brand’s Hall in 1879, as well as the first symphonic concert in the old Central Music Hall in the following year. He was also, for many years, secretary and treasurer of the

Schiller Building The Schiller Theater Building was designed by Louis Sullivan and Dankmar Adler of the firm Adler & Sullivan for the German Opera Company. At the time of its construction, it was among the tallest buildings in Chicago. Its centerpiece was a 1300-s ...

and Theater. On June 14, 1866, he married Florence Augusta Wells (whose parents were originally from Connecticut, but settled in Maryland prior to the outbreak of the Civil War). Born November 11, 1845, at Baltimore, Florence died on March 20, 1877, after a prolonged illness at the home of her parents. On January 2, 1879, Pietsch married for a second time, to Anna Hobart (born April 7, 1853, at Chicago, died January 9, 1932). She was active in charity and a member of the Chicago Woman's Club. On Friday, May 7, 1920, Pietsch died of pneumonia. He was buried on May 10, 1920, in the Pietsch lot at Graceland Cemetery, Chicago. He was survived by three sons from his first marriage: Frank Hesing Pietsch (May 27, 1867, Chicago – February 10, 1939, Chicago), Theodore Wells Pietsch (October 2, 1868, Chicago – January 1, 1930, Baltimore), and Walter Gray Pietsch (January 27, 1875, Chicago – December 14, 1938, Chicago).

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Pietsch, Charles Francis 1844 births 1920 deaths Businesspeople from Baltimore American newspaper founders Deaths from pneumonia in Illinois Illinois Staats-Zeitung people Burials at Graceland Cemetery (Chicago)