John Baer, an early publisher of Mennonite writings, was born in Upper Leacock, Pennsylvania, 31 January 1797, a son of Andrew Baer (d. 1805) and great-grandson of John Henry Baer, the Swiss Mennonite pioneer settler (1727). He grew up in Lancaster. In 1821 he was sole owner of Der Volksfreund and in 1834 he also purchased the Lancaster Beobachter. These he merged as the Lancaster Volksfreund und Beobachter, the only German newspaper in the city. This was continued by his sons. In 1819 he published the first large folio Bible published in America. In 1828 he continued the Agricultural Almanac started by William Albright and in 1833 started also the German Pennsylvania Almanac, continuing both for years. Later it became Baer’s Almanac, the 135th issue (1960) of which was released by Lester Lestz. For years he published many items for the Mennonites, succeeding Ehrenfried. Reuben A. and Christian R. Baer continued the firm as John Baer's Sons; grandsons John F. and Charles S. Baer continued the firm until the mid-20th century.

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Additional Information

Adapted by permission of Herald Press, Scottdale, Pennsylvania, and Waterloo, Ontario, from Mennonite Encyclopedia, Vol. 4, pp. 1061-1062. All rights reserved. For information on ordering the encyclopedia visit the Herald Press website.

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