Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Winnebago County, Volume II, Part 53

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897. cn; Rogers, Thomas H; Moffet, Hugh R; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913. cn
Publication date: 1903
Publisher: Chicago : Muncell Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 972

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There were first the days of the "singing school." One of the old-time singiug masters was David Merrill, who wielded the tuning-fork here in 1841. He was a schoolmate of Mary Lyon, the founder of Mt. Holyoke College. He died a few years ago iu Cherry Valley, Ill., after rounding out nearly a century of life. The "Rockford Musical Associatiou" catered to the music-loving public in 1857. Iu 1858 there came to Rockford from the East, a young man who soon became a leader in its musical life. His name was Daniel N. Hood. For thirty-seveu years he was actively identified with its musical interests. He was iusistent upon real musi- cianly achievement, was impatient of inferior work, and Rockford owes mnuch to his resource- ful leadership during its formative period.

A series of musical festivals was given in the early '60s and '70s ; first under the direction of Prof. J. F. Fargo, and later under Prof. D. N. Hood. In 1858 Prof. Hood assumed charge of the conservatory of music at Rockford College, then known as Rockford Female Seminary, and was identified with the institution thirty-seven years. A part of this time he taught both vocal - and instrumental music. Sixteen years of that period he was organist of the Second Presby- terian Church of Chicago. Prof. Hood left Rock- ford twenty years ago, and for some years was organist of a Congregational church at Woburn, Mass., the largest church in New England out- side of Boston. He has retired from active life. L. B. Starkweather came to Rockford in 1863, and organized the Harmonic Society. He was the first vocal teacher in the city who specially prepared for his profession, and for many years he taught botlı voice and piano. He was the first organist to play the organ now in the First Congregational Church, which was given by Rufus Hatch and dedicated by Dudley Buck. Mr. Starkweather also conducted musical fes- tivals in Rockford and other cities. He is still a resident of Rockford.

LOUIS M. GOTTSCHALK.

Louis M. Gottschalk, the first American-born pianist to win renown, and the author of "The Last Hope," delighted a Rockford audience in Metropolitan hall December 30, 1863. The ad- mission fee was the modest sum of fifty cents.

THE CHORAL UNION.

The Rockford Choral Union was organized January 8, 1885. Prof. L. A. Torrens, of Chi- cago, was engaged as musical director and the union received the loyal support of Rockford musiciaus for some years. June 11 and 12, 1885, the Choral Union presented Haydn's oratorio, "The Creatiou," at the opera house. The mem- bership at that time was 200 and nearly the entire number sang in the chorus. Ou January 12, 1886, the union presented Handel's "Messiah" in the First Lutheran Church. By means of improvised seats more than 2,500 people heard this sublime composition. This was the largest number that had ever assembled in one building in Rockford up to that time. Other uotable con- certs given by the Choral Union were the His- torical Choral concert, given in the First Luth- eran Church, and three performances of Haydn's "Seasons," with Bach's orchestra of Milwaukee. The last-uamed performances were the first events ever held in Court Street Church. The Choral Union was formally disbanded October 9, 1888.

Prof. Torrens returued to Rockford in 1899, and organized a choral society which provided a number of notable musical events. Among these were two annual festivals which brought to the city such artists as Herbert Witherspoon, Mme. Charlotte Macouda, Genevieve Clark Wil- son, Jeanette Durno-Collins, Gleuu Hall, Her- bert Butler, Theodore Spiering, George Hamlin and Dan T. Beddoe. The concerts were given in Harlem Park.

THE MENDELSSOHN CLUB.

The musical life of Rockford fiuds its highest expression in the Mendelssohn Club. For more than thirty years it has performed inestimable service in cultivating a taste for the best iu music. The club was organized in October, 1884, when a score of women met at the home of Mrs. Chandler Starr for a semi-social and

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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY

musical afternoon. The object was declared to be "the permanent establishment of an organ- ization for the musical culture of the members and the uplifting of the standard of music in the city of Rockford." Mendelssohn was chosen the patron saint. During the winter meetings were held in private homes, but the rapid growth made a public hall a necessity. Various quar- ters were secured from time to time. In 1898 the club leased the hall in a building erected on West State street by George E. Briggs. In 1909 Mrs. Thomas Chick erected a block on North Main street, the upper portion of which affords a convenient and accessible home for the club.

Membership in the Mendelssohn Club is of five kinds : Active, passive, associate, honorary and student. The number of active members is limited to fifty ; new members are admitted only when vacancies occur and after their proficiency has been approved by the entire active member- ship. Passive members are those who desire to retire from the active body, and are allowed to do so by a two-thirds vote of the active member- ship. Associate members take no part in mu- sical work and are chosen by the active members. Honorary members are chosen by a unanimous vote of the active members. Student members are young people, musical students, who are recommended by their teachers. Two auxiliary choruses are main- tained, one for women and one for men. The woman's auxiliary chorus is limited to sixty members, which has for twelve years been un- der the directorship of Harrison M. Wild, di- rector of the Chicago Mendelssohn and Apollo clubs. The male chorus numbers about thirty voices. The student section has a membership of one hundred, has its own corps of officers, and holds monthly meetings.

Several active and honorary members of the club have achieved a reputation that is more than local. Mrs. Maude Fenlon Bollman has for more than ten years filled professional en- gagements throughout the country. She has studied in New York in recent years. Her beau- tiful soprano voice and charming personality have made her a favorite. Mr. and Mrs. George Nelson Holt spent several years in Paris. They now reside in Chicago, where Mrs. Holt has won distinction as an organist. Mrs. Fred H. Moffatt is known throughout northern Illinois

as the brilliant organist of the Second Congrega- toinal Church of this city. Myron E. Barnes was at one time head of the vocal department oť Beloit College.

The officers of the Mendelssohn Club are : Mrs. Chandler Starr, president; Mrs. Fred H. Moffatt, vice-president; Miss Josephine Phin- ney, recording secretary ; Miss Leola Arnold, corresponding secretary ; Mrs. Charles Reitsch, treasurer ; Mrs. Elliott West, manager; direct- ors : Mrs. O. R. Brouse, Mrs. A. D. Early, Mrs. Maude F. Bollman, Miss Annie Walton.

MRS. CHANDLER STARR.

Mrs. Chandler Starr has been the president of the Mendelssohn Club since its organization, with the exception of seven years. She is to "the manner born" and possesses every quality of leadership. She served more than a quar- ter ot a century as organist of the Second Con- gregational Church. As the real mother of the Mendelssohn Club she has given it a mother's devotion, and through this means her ministry has been inspirational and far-reaching. Her energy, enthusiasm and administrative ability have made the Mendelssohn Club one of the in- stitutions of Rockford. Mrs. Starr has been assisted by a loyal band of capable associates. Officers and members have borne their part of the burden and share in the honor of achieve- ment.

The world's greatest artists come to Rock- ford. Each season a number of recitals are given under the auspices of the club, which are always notable occasions. Among those who have visited Rockford may be mentioned : Madame Schumann-Heink ; David Bispham, three times ; Emilio Gogorza ; Mendelssohn Quin- tet Club of Boston ; Kneisel String Quartet, two visits ; Flonzaly String Quartet; Pittsburg Sym- phony Orchestra of sixty pieces; Mme. Fannie Bloomfield-Zeisler ; the late Edward A. Mac- Dowell, America's greatest composer, two visits ; Joseph Lhevinne, two visits; Harold Bauer ; Madame Theresa Carenno; Mme. Tina Lerner ; the late Emil Liebling; Chicago Mendelssohn Club, Chicago; Bruno Steindel; Gutia Casini ; Madam Jeanne Jomelli ; Jane Hannah Osborne, and many of the younger artists of great promise.

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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY

SCHUMANN CLUB.

The Schumann Club is another woman's or- ganization devoted to the study of music. This club, which has abont seventy members, had its inception in the efforts of Mrs. John Oberg, who a score of years ago organized her twelve young students for special study. The programs given hy the young musicians attracted other students, and in time the membership privilege was extended to vocal students as well as pian- ists. Certain mnsical qualifications are required as a condition of membership.

ROCKFORD CELEBRITIES.

Rockford has made its contribution of artists to the world. Among the first was Mrs. Kath- erine Tanner Fisk. She received her academic education at Rockford College, from which she was graduated in 1SS1. After her marriage in the following December she began a course of study with Miss Fanny A. Root in Chicago; and later with Mrs. Sarah Hershey Eddy. She sang in church choirs in Chicago, and made her dehnt as a soloist in "The Messiah," December 27, 1890. She visited London with letters of in- troduction to Daniel Meyer, who was then one of the greatest concert managers in the world. She made a three years' engagement with Mr. Meyer, appearing in the Crystal Palace, London Symphony and Royal Albert Hall, and making a tour of the Kingdom. Mrs. Fisk possessed a rare contralto voice, supplemented by a regal presence and rare beauty. She has retired from professional life and lives in Los Angeles.

Wilhelm Heinrich achieved a reputation as "the hlind tenor." He was horn in Rockford, where his early life was spent. An accident when he was six years old left him totally blind. Mr. Heinrich never hewailed his fate, but with rare heroism he showed the world that a man may be infinitely greater than anything that can happen to him. He developed his gift of song, and sang his way in the world and into the hearts of the people. He visited the Father- land and made several concert tonrs in Enrope. His last years were spent in Boston, where he purchased a home, in which he loved to enter- tain his friends. Mr. Heinrich died in Boston December 26, 1911. The last rites were con- ducted in the Second Congregational Church of Rockford hy Rev. P. M. Snyder.

Frank La Forge is known on two continents as a pianist and composer. He was born thirty-six years ago in Rockford, where the rndiments of his musical education were ob- tained. He continned his studies with Leopold Godowsky in Chicago. From there he went to Vienna, where he hecame a pupil of Leschetizky, the world's greatest piano teacher, who in time made his gifted pupil his assistant. It was while in Vienna that Mr. La Forge attracted at- tention as a composer, and his songs were sung in salons freqnently by nobility. He was the first to introduce MacDowell's works to a Vienna public. After completing his studies in Vienna he opened a studio in Berlin, where he rapidly grew in favor. His genius attracted the atten- tion of Mine. Gadsky, with whom he made an engagement for three years as her accompanist. He has since accompanied Mme. Sembrich and is now with Mme. Alda. His work is remark- able in the fact that he memorizes all his accom- paniments. In this respect he is in a class by himself. Mr. La Forge has made more than a score of trips across the Atlantic. His home is in New York. He never married.

Madam Corinne Rider-Kelsey, who stands in the first rank of concert artists before the ph- lic today, is among the Rockford musicians who have made names for themselves in the world of music, both at home and abroad. Her voice, a dramatic soprano, is of a rare quality that is especially adapted to oratorio work, although, if her ambitions had been so directed, she would have been a star among the grand opera artists. Her first vocal studies were pursned at Oberlin, where she literally "worked" her way by assist- ing in various capacities in domestic dnties. She returned to Rockford and secured a position as soprano in Court Street M. E. Church. put- ting herself under the tuition of L. A. Torrens, now connected with the Cosmopolitan School of Music in Chicago, who was the first to discover the possibilities of her voice, and to whom she gives the credit of laying the fondation for her musical snecess. Madam Rider-Kelsey was in Europe where she was booked for important concert engagements when the war broke out, compelling her return to this country, where she is now concertizing with great success. She has sung with the Boston Symphony and other of the leading orchestras, and has heen soloist in many of the big musical festivals in the East and Middle West.

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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY

Miss Alice Sovereign, now Mrs. Samuel Dun- seith, is another Rockford girl who has made good in her chosen profession both in this coun- try and in Europe. Upon leaving Rockford a dozen or more years ago to broaden her musical education, she went to New York. While there she succeeded Janet Spencer, the well known contralto, in the quartet of the Central Congre- gational Church of Brooklyn, an important posi- tion. The advantages offered by foregin musical centers lured the gifted American girl and she went to Germany, where she had the good for- tune of meeting Madam Marcella Sembrich, who was so impressed with the possibilities of her voice that she took her to her summer home and gave her daily instruction and coached her in operatic work, and as a result Mrs. Dunseith sang various roles in opera at Posen and later at the court opera at Bessau. Another impor- tant engagement of the Rockford girl while abroad was at Frankfurt-Am-Main. When Mme. Sembrich left her summer home for her annual concert tour she secured for her pupil the inter- est of Lombardi of Milan, with whom she studied for several years. In January, 1913, the singer returned to Rockford, where her marriage to Mr. Dunseith, a retired business man of Pittsburgh, took place and later the couple went to Italy, where Mrs. Dunseith again sang in opera for several seasons.

Jeanette Durno Collins, now of Chicago, is known in this country and in Europe as a re- markably gifted pianist.

Howard Wells has attained distinction as a teacher in piano. After leaving the musical de- partment at Rockford College he went abroad and for several years he had a studio in Berlin. The outbreak of the European war compelled Mr. Wells to return to his native country and he has opened a studio in Chicago. He has recently published a text-book.

Albert Spalding, although not at any time a resident of Rockford, belongs to one of the old families of the city. He is a son of Walter Spalding, who was formerly a bookkeeper in the Winnebago National Bank. Mr. Spalding las won distinction as a violinist. He gave a Men- delssohn Club artist concert in Rockford Feb- ruary 21, 1916.

BANDS AND ORCHESTRAS.

From the days of the Civil war Rockford has had its band organizations. The Forest City

Band was organized in 1867, with August Ded- rickson as leader, and for more than thirty years he served in that capacity. He was succeeded by Frank Fitzgerald, when the name was changed to Watch Factory Band, and later to the Rockford Military Band. Mr. Fitzgerald was succeeded by E. F. Blakeley. S. H. Bu- chanan is now leader.

Dedrickson's Orchestra, later known as the Opera House Orchestra, was an outgrowth of the Forest City Band, and prospered under the leadership of Mr. Dedrickson. Employes of the Haddorff Piano Company, the Emerson-Brant- ingham Company and the Barber-Colman Com- pany maintain excellent band organizations. The Rockford High School Band was organized in 1907 with nineteen members, composed of freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors. John T. Haight, of the high school faculty, has been the leader from the first. The band is a self-sustaining and creditable organization. There are now thirty-six members. A second band was organized last autumn.

The Benedict Orchestra was organized in 1896 by the late Al Barker, and is still in the field. The Metropole and Opera House Orchestras are later organizations.

THE WEBER QUARTET.

The Weber Quartet leaped to fame at a single bound. It was organized in 1888 for campaign purposes, and was first called the Tippecanoe Club. The members were Myron E. Barnes, first tenor ; Charles G. Rogers, second tenor ; L. J. West, first bass and manager; Frank H. An- drew, second bass. Mr. Andrew was succeeded a year later by his brother, Henry Andrew, and when he removed to Montana he was succeeded by Frank D. Emerson. The quartet sang at a mass meeting in Battery D, Chicago, when James G. Blaine was the speaker. The boys made a hit with "What's the Matter with Harrison?" a campaign song written by O. C. Osborn, of Rockford. One of the notable engagments of the quartet was with the Knights Templar of Illinois, for the conclave at Washington, D. C. The quartet gave afternoon and evening recep- tions at the Arlington Hotel. A memorable incident of this trip was the visit to Mount Vernon. Services were held by the Illinois com- mandery, conducted by Rev. George C. Lorimer, one of the greatest preachers of the Baptist

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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY

denomination. The quartet sang "Lead, Kindly Light" and "Rock of Ages."

Another notable engagement was with H. H. Kohlsaat, at Galena, on a celebration of General Grant's birthday. At Rockford Mr. Kohlsaat took on his special car Mr. and Mrs. W. A. Tal- cott, Colonel Thomas G. Lawler and the quar- tet. On the train were Joseph Medill, Eugene Field and William McKinley, then governor of Ohio, who made a special request for several songs. The Weber quartet sang at the inagura- tion of President Harrison, and at the State Street Baptist Church of Rockford for two years. L. J. West and Frank D. Emerson are deceased.

LATER SINGING SOCIETIES.

Rockford has two Swedish singing societies of male voices, the Sveas Soner and the Lyran Club. The Sveas Soner Singing Society was organized in 1890. It now has a membership oť twenty-two, limited to musicians whose voices are of the right quality and caliber to maintain good tonal balance. With six other Swedish- American societies, it organized the American Union of Swedish Singers, with a membership of over 1,000. The Sveas Soner took part in the program of the American Union of Swedish Singers at the Columbian Exposition in Chi- cago in 1893, and in singing festivals in New York, Minneapolis, and other cities. The singers have made two tours in Sweden. The singing society is a part of the Sveas Soner proper, an organization which owns a three-story block on Seventh street.

The Lyran Society was organized in June, 1894, and has twenty-two members. It is also a part of the American Union and has sung in large American cities. The society sang in Chi- cago at the Athletic Marathon in the autumn of 1914. The Lyrans are members of the Lyran Society, which owns a hall on Fourth avenue.

The Gesang-Verein is a men's singing society composed of members of the Rockford Germania. The club studies the music for which the Fatherland is famous.

MUSIC DEPARTMENT OF ROCKFORD COLLEGE.

The musical department of Rockford College, which was formerly known as the conservatory,

has performed an important part in the musical life of Rockford. Prof. D. N. Hood was the head of the department from 1858 until 1895. He may be called the dean or father of music in Rockford, and laid secure the foundation tor the splendid achievements of his successors. Proť. Hood was succeeded by Mrs. George Nel- son Holt. Other Rockford musicians who have . been identified with the department are: Mrs. Helen Sabin Brown, Howard Wells and Jose- phine Phinney. Rockford has also furnished several instructors for the department of vocal culture. These include Addie St. John, now Mrs. Farnum, Miss Caroline Radecke and Mrs. Daisy Force Scott, now Mrs. A. D. Early. The musical department of the college is now especially strong. Miss F. Marion Ralston is director, and instructor in piano and harmony. She is also a composer ot note. Mrs. Laura Grant Short is instructor in organ and piano. She has been a pupil of Clarence Eddy and Alexandre Guil- mant, and studied in Munich and Paris. Mrs. George Nelson Holt makes regular trips from Chicago to give instruction in piano.

CHURCHES ARE PATRONS OF MUSIC.

The churches of Rockford have been liberal patrons of music. One church spends nearly $2,000 annually for this purpose, and others are proportionally generous. From the day when Miriam sounded "the loud timbrel o'er Egypt's dark sea," to celebrate the deliverance of Israel, until now, music has been a means of worship. Jessica, in "The Merchant of Venice," is never merry when she hears sweet music. So subtle and yet so potent is its power that it awakens the most tender memories, and becomes the vehicle of expression for the master passions of the soul, love, patriotism and religion, Thirty years ago there were two pipe organs in Rock- ford ; now there are seventeen. In the melodious thunder of the organ the soul is most profoundly moved by the sense of majesty, as though God himselt had breathed into the instrument the breath of life. Under the spell of the "Halle- luiah Chorus," "Unfold, Ye Portals," or "In the Cross of Christ I Glory," gossip in the sanctuary seems little less than sacrilege. The place whereon we stand at such a time is holy ground : in "the sound of a great amen."

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WILLIAM W. MILLER

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HISTORY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY

CHAPTER XXXIV.

BROWN'S HALL-OPERA HOUSE COMPLETED-CELEB- RITIES OF STAGE AND PLATFORM-MANAGERS OF OPERA HOUSE-MOVING PICTURE HOUSES- VAUDEVILLE HOUSES-PALACE AMUSEMENT COM- PANY.

BROWN'S HALL.

To the older residents of Rockford Brown s Hall is only a memory, while to a large number of its population it is an unknown name. The historie block no longer exists in its original form, as its lower portion now forms a part of the Von Weise dry goods store. Nearly fifty years ago queens of song, renowned orators, theatrical stars of the first magnitude, poets and reformers appeared on its stage.

The hall was erected in 1864 by the late Horace Brown, and the property, completely remodeled in 1902 for A. Appel & Co., is still owned by tlie Brown estate. The block con- sisted of three stores, with the hall occupying the entire second story. It had a seating capac- ity of nearly one thousand, including that af- forded by a gallery 20 feet wide and extending the entire length of the street front. Its pro- portions were 64 by 90 feet. The eastern por- tion of the ground floor was occupied by the postoffice. Brown's Hall was formally dedi- cated November 17, 1864, with a public celebra- tion of the second election of Abraham Lincoln. Women of the city served dinner, the proceeds of which were used for the benefit of soldiers' families. In January, 1865, Dr. J. P. Norman leased Brown's Hall, and thus began the career of Rockford's first amusement manager. Dr. Norman was born in New York, in 1811. He came to Rockford in 1853, and opened a dental office. Soon after leasing Brown's Hall Dr. Norman devoted his exclusive attention to pro- viding entertainment for his townspeople, and to the day of his death he continued in this congenial occupation. He was a successful manager, and established a wide reputation.

Previous to the advent of Dr. Norman in the amusement field, theatrical performances in Rockford were largely of the barnstorming class. There was Dan Rice's menagerie with its one ring circus, while Swiss bellringers and the

Hutchinson family made occasional visits. En- tertainments of an intellectual and educational nature were provided through the lyceum, which called to the lecture platform the most noted speakers of the day. Many of these came to Rockford under local auspices. It remained for Dr. Norman, however, to create and supply a demand for amusement on a strictly business basis. The historian will invoke Father Time to summon some of those noble shades who have long dwelt in the hall of fame, to pass once more before the footlights.

James E. Murdoch, an actor of note, was one of the first celebrities to fill a local engagement. He. appeared in Brown's Hall March 28, 1865, when he entertained with an evening of Shakespearean and other readings.

Artemus Ward appeared April 12, 1865, in the role of humorist, lecturer and showman. He came neither as an educator nor a reformer, but he diverted his patrons from dyspepsia and melancholy by his irresistible "goaks."

Charles Sumner, distinguished senator from Massachusetts, delivered his lecture, entitled "Are We a Nation?" October 18, 1867. The ob- ject of Mr. Sumner's tour in the West was evidently to create public sentiment in behalf of his bill before Congress for universal suf- frage.

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Winnebago County, Volume II, Part 53

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897. cn; Rogers, Thomas H; Moffet, Hugh R; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913. cn Publication date: 1903 Publisher: Chicago : Muncell Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 972

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897. cn; Rogers, Thomas H; Moffet, Hugh R; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913. cn
Publication date: 1903
Publisher: Chicago : Muncell Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 972