Butler Eagle History
Journalism in Butler County can be traced to Aug. 17, 1818, when the Palladium and Republican Star first published in Butler, the county seat. The first daily appeared in 1884 The Butler Daily Times.
The Butler Eagle was founded by the Franklin Printing Association, but publication did not begin until March 2, 1870. Established by veterans of the then-recent Civil War, it was a four-page weekly with an emphasis on political issues, but with some national and local news included.
Ownership shifted between several founding board members and employees. In May 1902, the paper began to publish daily.
In 1909, the Butler Daily Citizen became the third daily newspaper in Butler. By 1920, only the Eagle and the Daily Citizen were printing daily. The Daily Citizen ceased publication in 1922.
In 1895, the Evans City Times was bought by attorney Levi M. Wise, who changed the name to the Butler County Observer and in 1903 merged it with the Butler Eagle. Wise bought out Eli Robinson’s interest in the paper in 1903, beginning the Wise family ownership that continues today.
The name of the company was changed to The Eagle Printing Co. and Levi’s wife, Bertha Laing Wise, became involved in the business operation. After the death of Levi Wise in 1924, Bertha Wise became active in all aspects of the business; she was the dominant force at the newspaper as business manager.
Two of her three sons, Vernon and John became involved in the business while she remained as treasurer until her death in 1952.
On John L. Wise’s death in 1959, he was succeeded as editor by his son, John L. Wise Jr. Vernon Wise was succeeded at his death in 1968 by his son, Vernon L. Wise Jr., as president and general manager. Vernon L. Wise Jr. and John L. Wise Jr. served as co-publishers and general manager and editor respectively. John Wise Jr. died in 1996. Vernon L. Wise Jr. died in 2024.
The Eagle has had these homes in its lifetime 114 E. Diamond St. until 1885; 239 S. Main St. until 1901; 129 E. Cunningham St. until 1904; 114 W. Diamond St. until 2019 when it moved all its Butler operations, including the business, advertising, composition and editorial offices, to its location at the Eagle Production Center at 514 W. Wayne St.
The Eagle Production Center was built in 2002 and is where the paper was printed beginning in 2003.
Primary responsibility for the Wise family is now controlled by Jamie Wise Lanier and John L. Wise III. Lanier presently serves as treasurer and John L. Wise III serves as vice president of the board.
The Wise family continues to honor the family tradition begun by Levi and Bertha Wise in 1903. Members of the family take pride in the role the newspaper has played over the years in the Butler County community.
