1875-1942
Newspaper Publisher and Racing News Entrepreneur

Immigrant Beginnings.

The son of Prussian Jewish immigrants, Moses Annenberg rose from poverty to become a powerful newspaper publisher and racing- news entrepreneur. In 1900, after a meager education and jobs as a junkman, a Western Union messenger, a livery stable boy, and a bartender, Annenberg became a subscription solicitor for the Chicago Evening American newspaper, recently purchased by William Randolph Hearst. In 1904 Hearst started a morning newspaper, the Examiner, and appointed Annenberg circulation manager to establish a place for the paper in the highly competitive morning market. It was Annenberg's job to obtain prime sales locations on street corners. The competition quickly erupted into gang warfare, and Annenberg, along with his brother Max, were deeply involved in the violence. His involvement colored Annenberg's reputation throughout his life.

Wisconsin and Success.

In 1907 Annenberg moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and started an...