I do not have any memories of George H.
W. Bush (President No. 41), or his son, George W. Bush (President
No. 43) ever coming to Newark.
But there was a much earlier "George Bush" presence
in Newark -- in 1832.
In that year, as a counter to the re-election campaign of Andrew
Jackson, Henry Clay -- a Senator and leader of the Republican party
-- teamed with running mate John Sargeant to oppose Jackson's re-election
bid.
On March 1, 1832, a newspaper, with its main aim to get Clay elected,
began publication in Newark on Market Street "two doors east
of the market."
Amzi Armstrong, a well-known Newark attorney, had agreed to serve
as its editor.
The publisher was "George Bush & Company."
Andrew Jackson was overwhelmingly re-elected, but the paper, though
a money-loser, continued to publish after the election, and Armstrong
stayed on as its editor.
It was New Jersey's first daily newspaper.
In 1833, when the paper began its second year of publication,
the ownership and management changed hands, but the name of the
original publisher "George Bush & Company," was retained,
and the "George Bush" who originated the paper remained
with the Newark Daily Advertiser as manager of the mechanical department.
* * *
(All of the information for the above entry obtained from "Atkinson's
History of Newark" published 1878).
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