196

Gruber engaged actively in the printing trade
until about 1855, when the infirmities of age forced
Mm to desist.²⁵ He appointed William Stewart of
Indianapolis to take over his business for the western
market, and Thomas R. Robertson of Hagerstown his
eastern trade.²⁶ His almanac survived changes in
ownership and operation into the twentieth century;
in 1927, 200,000 copies circulated in forty states;²⁷
and in 1938, as many as fifty copies went to one news-
dealer alone in the fairly distant city of Cleveland.²⁸

During his long career as a printer, Gruber
trained many young men in the printing business. The
most famous was probably Adam Glossbrenner,²⁹ sergeant
at arms in the House of Representatives from 1850
through 1860.³⁰

Gruber died December 29, 1857, in the ninetieth
year of his age... It is said that he never had an
enemy. He formed his own political opinions and ad-
hered to them; he voted at every tPreaidential election
from Washington to Buchanan; but he was never a violent

25 Hagers-Town town and country almanack. 1859.

p. [9].

26 Prahl, A.J. The Hagerstown almanack. p. 8.
27 Evening sun. Baltimore, March 2, 1927.
28 Eshleman, C.H. John Gruber and the Hagerstown

almanac.

29 Hagers-fown town and country almanack. 1859.
p. [9].

30 U.S. Congress. Biographical directory, p. 1016.

31 Hagers-Town town and country almanack. 1897 p. 5.