The Lewistown Republican

The Lewistown Republican was a weekly newspaper based in Lewistown, PA. The newspaper went through various incarnations and publishers between 1832 and 1845;  J.W. Shugert & S. Cummings started the publication as The Lewistown Republican and Working Men's Advocate on August 11, 1832, until the "new series" began under the proprietorship of James A. Cunningham in 1838, who also acted as editor. The newspaper then altered its title to The Lewistown Republican, and Mifflin County Workingmens' Advocate from 1839 through 1843. The name was shortened in December 1843 to The Lewistown Republican under new proprietors Henry Eisenbise and Henry J. Walters, then shortened again to The Republican in May 1844. Despite the word "Republican" in the name, the paper was solidly Democratic in coverage and endorsements; the current Democratic Party of the United States had several different name variations over its lifespan, including Democratic-Republican, and members referred to themselves as Republicans to show their commitment to the ideals of the country as a Republic, rather than an aristocracy. Such political leanings are reflected in another name change at the start of 1845, again under proprietorship of James A. Cunningham, with the new name The True Democrat lasting to 1879.

This collection of The Lewistown Republican covers issues from 1840 to 1844, bridging the transition from The Lewistown Republican, and Mifflin County Workingmens' Advocate under Cunningham to The Lewistown Republican / The Republican under Henry Eisenbise and Henry J. Walters. In addition to local, state, and national political news, genealogists looking for land transactions, marriages, deaths, and local businesses will likely find these topics on the last two pages of each issue.

The holdings of The Lewistown Republican at the State Library of Pennsylvania are not complete. The issues presented for the years digitized reflect the holdings of the library, and other issues may exist beyond these holdings.