Philip Smith Hortz

The Hortz family had roots in Southwark long before it became part of the city of Philadelphia in 1854. Seven children grew up there under the guidance of their parents, Charles and Jane. Rebecca was their oldest, followed by a sister and five brothers. They prospered there, and generously gave back to their community in many ways.

Charles was an alderman in the Southwark government and member of the state legislature for several years. During his tenure the Philadelphia Nativist Riots of 1844 erupted when anti-Catholic sentiment boiled over because of the sudden influx of Irish immigrants. Charles was a leader in calming the rioters while at the same time deploring the violence. The inconsistent response by the various law enforcement agencies contributed to the eventual consolidation of the city and county in 1854. 

The youngest in the family was Philip, with 19 years difference in age between him and Rebecca. He was closest to William who was three years older. After a short time working in a printing office, he partnered with William in 1861 to build a successful paper-hanging business which lasted nearly 20 years.

The middle of the Civil War was a busy time. In 1863 he married Sarah “Sallie” Thompson, welcomed their first daughter, and registered under the Civil War Military Draft Act. An exemption from the draft could be purchased for $300, which is probably what he did. Two more daughters and a son were born in that decade, although the son apparently died as an infant.

Another significant year was 1882. Rebecca’s husband died and left his business to his wife and brothers-in-law. He started Frank Queen Publishing Company in 1855, having bought out his partner while he was editor of the weekly New York Clipper, the first newspaper devoted entirely to entertainment. Frank ran the business in New York while residing in Philadelphia, and Philip continued that practice when he assumed the leadership.

Later known as The Clipper, its coverage included circuses, dance, music, theater, sports, and the outdoors. It played a major role in popularizing baseball, and began covering college football in 1880. By 1894, with the daily papers increasing their sports reporting, The Clipper shifted solely to show business in all its forms. With a circulation of 25,000 it was a great financial success, and in 1924 it was acquired by its competitor, Variety. 

The familiar quote, “You make a living by what you get; you make a life by what you give” applies to the Hortz family, but not simply because they had a lot of money to give away. Rebecca influenced her husband’s generosity when he donated $20,000 to build the Mariner’s Bethel Methodist Episcopal Church at the corner of Moyamensing and Washington Avenue. She and her brother Samuel, along with his family of five children and many grandchildren were all active members of that church. Philip led the Board of Trustees and was Sunday School Superintendent of that church. Samuel, Philip, and William also served at various times on the board of the Southwark Soup Society. 

One source said Philip took early retirement in his 50s to devote his life to serving God and his fellow man. He was appointed to the Philadelphia Board of Education in 1895 and wrote articles about child development. He was treasurer of the South Branch of the Young Men’s Christian Association, and also found the time to be a part of five different fraternal societies. For many years he was on the Board of Directors of Southwark National Bank, as was William, who took over as chair of Frank Green Publishing Co. at some point. 

Two of Philip’s girls got married in the 1880s, then his wife died in 1893. The youngest daughter lived with him after he remarried in 1901. On his marriage application he stated his occupation as newspaper manager but on the 1910 census, in true Christian modesty, he said he was just a retired paper hanger.

Rebecca also enlisted his services as the executor of her estate when she died in 1900. The appraised value came to $158,000, or about $6 million in today’s dollars, and was divided among brothers Philip and William and the children of two deceased siblings. She also paid off the mortgage on the Mariner’s Bethel Church.

Heart disease ended Philip’s life as it did with William six years later. Their parents and several siblings were buried in New Jersey. Philip’s second wife joined him and his first wife here but his children were buried elsewhere. William was also buried in Section 18, as was his wife, three children and a grandchild. Samuel died in 1890 and he has an obelisk in the Circle of St. John for him, his wife, and a son.