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Unique Victorian Edwardian 1800's
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Certificate of Ordination
Source Citation: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/02484b.htm Joseph Charles Benziger Founder of the Catholic publishing house that bears his name, b. at
Einsiedeln , Switzerland, 1762; d. there, 1841. In 1792 he started a
small business in religious articles, but he soon felt the effects of
the French Revolution. The French invasion forced him to take flight
with his family, and for about a year they resided at Feldkirch,
Austria, where his eldest son, Charles, was born. In 1800 they returned
to Einsiedeln, which had been devastated by pillage and army
requisitions. All Mr. Benziger's modest fortune was gone, but with
redoubled efforts he set about repairing his losses, and started in
business as a bookseller. He was made president of the county, and his
credit and personal financial sacrifices proved of great help,
especially during the famine of 1817. In 1833, Charles and Nicholas
Benziger succeeded their father under the firm name of "Charles and
Nicholas Benziger Brothers", and two years later, in addition to
their book publishing business began the lithographing of religious
pictures, as well as the coloring of them by hand, before the
introduction of chromolithography.
Charles Benziger, son of the founder, b. 1799, d. 1873, a man of
unusual strength and energy with a good classical education, devoted
himself especially to the literary end of the business. In l840 the
"Einsiedler Kalender" was founded; it is still published and
furnishes an interesting illustration of the development of the art of
printing. "The Pilgrim", a popular Catholic periodical
established at the same time, lasted only ten years. Charles, too, took
an active part in public life, and showed moderation and energy as
President of the Canton of Schwyz. His health failed and in 1860 he
retired from business
Nicholas Benziger, brother of the preceding, b. 1808, d. 1864, who
took charge of the technical part of the business, proved himself a
pioneer, introducing to the mountain village of Einsiedeln a series of
improved trades methods as they appeared from time to time in the great
centres of Europe and America. Under his guidance the work of
book-binding, which was formerly carried on in the family at home, was
systematized. In 1844 the old hand-press was superseded by the first
power press. Stereotyping was introduced in 1846; in 1856 steel and
copper printing; and in 1858 electrotyping. In 1853, a house was opened
in New York. By this time the two brothers had built up a business in
Catholic books and prints that was known the world over. They also took
an active part in charitable work, and started a fund for a hospital,
which has since been erected.
On the retirement of Charles and Nicholas Benziger (1860) the
business was continued by Charles, Martin, and J. N. Adelrich, sons of
the former, and Nicholas, Adelrich, and Louis, sons of the latter. Under
this third generation, the different branches of the house were still
further developed, chromolithography and other modern printing methods
being added. In 1867, the "Alte und Neue Welt", the first
illustrated popular Catholic German magazine on a large scale, was
begun, and then appeared a number of illustrated family books of devout
reading and a series of school books, including a Bible history in
twelve languages, together with prayer books by well-known authors.
Between 1880 and 1895 a fourth generation succeeded to the business, and
the firm name was changed to Benziger and Company
The house of Benziger Brothers in the United States was established
in New York in 1853 by the Swiss house, but its development as a
publishing house did not begin until 1860 when J. N. Adelrich Benziger
(d. 1878) and Louis Benziger (d. 1896) took charge. In 1860, a house was
opened in Cincinnati and in 1887 one in Chicago. The publishing of
English Catholic books was vigorously undertaken, and to-day the
catalogue covers the field of devotional, educational, and juvenile
literature, besides works of a theological character. Since 1864 the
firm has manufactured sacred vessels and church furniture. The American
firm of Benziger Brothers is now independent of the Swiss house. The
Holy See conferred on the firm the title "Printers to the Holy
Apostolic See" in 1867, and "The Pontifical Institute of
Christian Art" in 1888.
THOMAS F. MEEHAN The Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume
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