USA > Ohio > Montgomery County > Dayton > History of Dayton, Ohio. With portraits and biographical sketches of some of its pioneer and prominent citizens Vol. 2 > Part 22
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LITERATURE, MUSIC, AND ART.
A. Marlay, Mrs. Frank Conover, Mrs. J. B. Thresher, Miss Carrie Brown, and Mrs. A. D. Wilt.
The first musical society in Dayton was organized in 1823 and called the Pleyel Society. John W. Van Cleve, who had great talent for music and could play on a great variety of instruments, was elected president.
In 1836, the Dayton Philharmonie Society for the study of sacred music was formed. Stephen Fry was the teacher and C. Hayden seere- tary. This society gave several concerts in the churches for the benefit of the poor of the city.
In 18440, the vocal and instrumental societies of Dayton, with L. Huesman as conductor, gave a series of concerts, which were very popular.
Mr. Louis Huesman was organist, pianist, and teacher in Dayton fifty years ago. He was of the stately German musical scholarship, and his taste might be voted slow in this sensational age, but he helped to lay the strong foundations which have made the larger musical growth of to-day possible.
In the special line of instrumental teaching, Mr. IInesman was followed by Charles Rolfe, Charles Rex, Adolph Carpe, and W. L. Blumenschein. The music in the public schools has been at different times in the care of Charles Sochner, James Turpin, W. B. Hall, W. H. Clarke, and F. C. Mayer.
The leading teachers of vocal music have been James Turpin, Leon Jasciewicz, HI. B. Turpin, and W. L. Blumenschein.
George W. Pearson was for many years a leading teacher of the violin. Mr. Dennewitz, J. D. Brunner, Lucius Cook, Paul Habenicht, and G. II. Marsteller, have since been prominent and efficient teachers of various orchestral instruments.
The prominent vocalists have been Clara Turpin, Mrs. S. W. Davies, Kate Wagoner, Mrs. J. A. Jordan, Mrs. E. J. Kneisley, Agnes Stout, Ella Brusman, Mrs. W. N. Hunter, Belle Ralston, Lydia Stout, Mrs. A. B. Shanek, soprano; Mrs. James Turpin, Mrs. P. H. Gunekel, Emma Mercer, Fannie Favorite, Mollie Spindler, Anna V. Zeller, contralto; J. F. Boyer, Park Willard, W. IL. Boyer, John N. Bell, S. F. Phelps, II. IL. Bimm, S. E. Kumler, W. J. Baltzell, tenors; W. L. Bates, W. J. Comly, William Burkitt, Jolm L. Burkitt, Philip Mehlburger, George Hessler, II. B. Turpin, Judge J. A. Shauck, basses and baritones.
James Turpin, John Zundel, Charles Rex, N. Metz, John A. Schenck, Joseph Schenck, A. Ebel, A. T. Wittich, W. F. Gale, C. II. Lyon, S. B. Hurlburt, Robert Ayers, James A. Robert, Howard Peirce, and W. I .. Blumenschein have had prominence as church organists.
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HISTORY OP DAYTON.
The leading piano players now are Howard Poiree, Mrs. E. J. Kneisly, Mrs. James Anderton, Nannie Williams, Theodore Scheerer, Thomas Iche- ler, F. L. Eyer, and W. L. Blumenschein. John Lytle, Dr. L. E. Custer, and Frederick Kette, performers upon various instruments, are worthy of special notice.
In the special department of musical composition, Mr. Blumenschein and W. J. Baltzell have achieved a high reputation and success. Mr. F. C. Mayer has published a book for the use of pupils. Rev. W. HI. Lan- thurn was the editor of " ILymus for the Sanctuary and Social Worship," a fine collection of standard hymns for church services, issued by the United Brethren Publishing House in 1874. He was also the composer of numerous hymns appearing in this and other publications, and joint author with Rev. E. S. Lorenz, of " Praise Offering," published in 1876.
Rev. E. S. Lorenz, A. M., has been a prolific writer and editor of church and Sunday-school music. He has written much of the music for, and edited in whole or in part, "Praise Offering," "Songs of the Cross," " Pilger Lieder," " Heavenly Carols," "Songs of Grace," "Gates of Praise," " Songs of Cheer," " Songs of the Kingdom," "Holy Voices," " Songs of Refreshing," "Notes of Victory," "Notes of Triumph," "Garnered Sheaves," " Missionary Songs," " Songs of the Morning," and numerous services for special occasions, all of which, with one exception, have been published by the United Brethren Publishing House, since 1876.
The Dayton Philharmonic Society was organized in the fall of 1874, the principal projectors of the movement being the following gentlemen : J. A. Shauck, John N. Bell, James Breneman, John L. Burkitt, II. V. Lytle, C. F. Snyder, and James A. Martin. Mr. W. C. Herron was the first president, and Loon Jaseiewiez the first musical director. The first few seasons the society met in the building north of the courthouse, known as the Journal building. Later on in its history meetings were held in the Young Men's Christian Association Hall, and for the past few years at Huston Hall, on the corner of Third and Jefferson streets. The musical directors have been Mr. Jasciewiez, above mentioned, who served two scasons; Otto Singer, of Cincinnati, who also served two seasons, and W. L. Blumenschein, who has been director for eleven successive years. The chorus has kept up a steady grade of membership, with a yearly average of nearly one hundred members. In all, up to the close of the season of 1888-1889, fifty-three concerts have been given, covering a large range of choral and orchestral works, prominent among the former being the "Messiah," "Creation," "Elijah," "Last Judgment," "Judas Maccabius," "Hymn of Praise," " Athalie," " Crusaders," " Fair Ellen," " Feast of Adonis," " Erl King's Daughter," and many shorter works.
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The solo parts to many of these works have been sung by local singers, and singers of known reputation from other cities have also been heard. Many fine instrumental performances have been brought here to aid in the concerts also. It is a matter of sincere congratulation that a local society can have achieved so decided an historical success. Usually such organizations fall a victim to local jealousies, lack of enthusiasm, . or meager financial support, but the Dayton Philharmonie Society has always weathered such storms, thanks to a wise policy on the part of its officers and the tact of its present director.
Mr. A. B. Shauck is the present presiding officer, with W. B. Sullivan, W. J. Kuhns, E. L. Bone, S. E. Kumler, and other well-known gentlemen as his coadjutors.
The Harmonia Society was formed of a consolidation of the Sociale Sængerbund and Frohsinn, which was effected on November 1, 1861, and the name Harmonia adopted. The first officers were: President, Daniel Leonhard; vice-president, Dr. Palm; treasurer, John Stoppleman; first secretary, George Hoffman; second secretary, A. Froendhoff.
The articles of incorporation set forth as the objects of the society, the cultivation of literature and science, and the performance of musical and dramatic productions. In September, 1882, the third sangerfest of the Central Ohio Stenger Bezish was held in this city, under the auspices of the Harmonia.
During its existence, operas and operettes have been produced by the society, as "Stradelle," "Haifisch," "Mordgundbruck," "Social- Democrat," Schiller's "Lay of the Bell," etc.
At present the society numbers two hundred members, and consists of two sections-musical and dramatic. Officers: President, G. C. Kellner; vice-president, Bruno Williams; recording and corresponding secretary, Emil Reichert; financial secretary, Angelo Mosbrugger; treas- urer, Henry Hollencamp; musical director, Theodore Scheerer.
Beckel Hall, on Jefferson Street, has been the headquarters of the society since its organization. Singing rehearsals are held every Wednes- day evening.
The Young Men's Christian Association Orchestra was organized in 1886 under the leadership of G. II. Marsteller. Mr. Marsteller was succeeded by John Lytle, W. J. Baltzell, and J. C. Eberhardt. Mr. Eberhardt re-organized the orchestra in the fall of 1887. It utilize's amateur talent, and has at present a membership of fourteen, giving a full instrumentation. A string quartette has been organized out of the orchestra. Prominent among its musicians are J. C. Eberhardt, leader; Pearl Sigler, 'cello; Harry Rock, flute; John Lytle, cornet; Dr. L. E.
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Custer, viola, and Dr. Horace Hubbard, second violin. The orchestra meets once a week in the Young Men's Christian Association Hall. Its work is of a high order, and its numerous public appearances at the Young Men's Christian Association entertainments and elsewhere have won for it the admiration of the public.
There are other musical societies in the city, among which are the Dayton Maennerchor and the Schwabischer Saengerbund.
Charles Soule, Sr., one of Dayton's most distinguished painters, was born at Freeport, Maine, September 2, 1809. When he was two years old his parents died, and he was taken by an unele, J. T. Moore, who lived at Chillicothe, Ohio, and who, being a man of taste and genius, became quite noted as an artist. There are many of his portraits in this and other Ohio cities. Charles Soule would often amuse himself with the use of Mr. Moore's pencil and brush on the sly, drawing and painting whatever he saw abont him, and being often severely punished therefor. At the age of seventeen years he ran away from his uncle and came to Dayton. Here he worked at carriage and sign painting, and whatever he could find to do, utilizing his spare moments in practicing with peneil and brush. IIe began painting portraits for pastime, and soon his singular power attracted attention. By the advice of Mr. Dolley, by whom he was employed in painting carriages, he turned his attention exclusively to the painting of portraits, his first works being those of William Dolley and Tunis Conover, both of which are still in existence. in this city. These works were so meritorious that he was soon crowded with orders. In 1836 or 1837, after a brief interval of inattention to his profession, he again resumed it, and painted portraits of several promi- nent people in Cincinnati, Columbus, Cleveland, and other western cities. From 1836 to 1843 he filled many orders from St. Louis. About 1857 he went to New York and New Jersey, and attracted much attention in those States, among those noticing him being Charles Elliott, who took frequent occasion to speak of Mr. Soule's wonderful power. Mr. Soule returned to the West and spent several years in Cleveland, painting portraits of numerous prominent people there. Ilis skill in his profession consisted in his rare ability to paint people at their best, giving to the picture a peculiar spirituelle expression seldom seen even in the works of the greatest artists. Artists of far greater fame envied his success in his peculiar line, and sought instruction from him, but his faculty could not be inculcated or communicated to others. Among his best known por- traits are those of T. J. S. Smith and wife, Dayton; Jonathan Harshman and wife, Dr. Clements and wife, Samnel Brown and wife, Valentine Winters and wife, Mr. Pruden and wife, Henry Stoddard and family, Dr.
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Edwin Smith and family, J. W. Harries and family, Simon Gebhart and family, C. Herchelrode and family, T. S. Babbitt and family, William Huffman, Major-General Wood, John G. Lowe and wife, Hon. S. P. Chase, and numerous others.
Mrs. Clara Soule Medlar, daughter of Charles Soule, began painting portraits at Dayton. She spent considerable time at Lebanon, painting the portraits of the families of Mr. Corwin and Judge Dunlevy, and afterward went to Cincinnati and opened a studio, where she did a great deal of work, remaining there several years. She then went to Harper's Ferry, Cleveland, Lexington, Kentucky, and afterward returned to Day- ton, where she was married and remained for many years. She now lives near New York and still wields her brash with the same enthusiasm and success as in former years.
Mrs. Octavia Soule Gottschall, another daughter of Charles Soule, is also an artist. She has had great success in painting in water colors and on porcelain, and has done much in copying and enlarging oil paintings. Of late years she has devoted much time to investigation into the mysteries of pigments in mineral colors, and takes great pleasure in the transformations of clay by heat, glazing, etc., taking the rude clay, fashioning it to suit her fancy, burning it herself, ote. She also paints flowers, fruits, animals, etc., and does excellent work in painting portraits of children.
Charles Soule, Jr., son of Charles Soule, Sr., is also an artist of much . merit. He began carriage painting and ornamenting before he com- meneed painting portraits. Among the most noted of his portraits are those of Dr. James Bosler and wife, Thomas Clegg, William Huffman, Sr., Ziba Crawford, David Stout, J. T. Achey, Silas Simpson, Colonel Frank Taylor, of Portsmouth, and many at Ripley, Pomeroy, and Point Pleasant, Ohio, Maysville, Kentucky, and other places.
Among the prominent artists of Dayton in an carly day was Edmond Edmondson. He was born in Dayton of Quaker parentage. While he was of great excellence as an artist, he was of such a retiring disposition that his merits were not appreciated at their true value. He was self- taught and first attracted attention by his faithful studies in still life. His first vegetable and fruit pieces were in such demand as soon to enable him to treble his prices. He was an honest painter and did not work to secure a fictitious reputation. In later years he turned his attention to portrait painting and met with admirable success. One of his best portraits is of President Garfield which hangs in Odd Fellows' Hall in Dayton. He went to California for the benefit of his health and there died.
John lusco Williams, one of Dayton's most celebrated painters, was
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HISTORY OF DAYTON.
born May 3, 1813. At the age of fifteen he was apprenticed to an uncle, who was a house and carriage painter, at Richmond, Indiana. Young Williams soon began to think that this kind of art was not suited to his genius, and ran away from his uncle, walking the entire distance to Miamisburg. There he worked at anything he could find to do, for twenty-five cents per day, until he had managed to save up money enough to pay his way to Philadelphia, where he attended an art school. Ile remained three years, painting all day and studying in perspec- tive and anatomy at night. Here he formed the acquaintance of the eminent artist, Thomas Sully, and at the present time General Cadwal- lader has two paintings, one by Sully and one by Williams, either of which he values equally with the other.
About this time the first panorama that had ever been heard of made its appearance, being of an American river. Mr. Williams immediately conceived the idea of painting a panorama of Bible history, as that, hc thought, was an exceedingly rich field for such a work. His painting represented sacred history from the creation to the fall of Babylon. This panorama was exhibited in Dayton from about May 30 to June 6, 1849, at the Jefferson Street Baptist Church, at the corner of Jefferson and Fourth streets. It had previously been exhibited at Cincinnati, and the exhibition at Dayton was accompanied with lectures on the various scenes represented, by the Rev. Mr. Chase, of that city. In 1850, this panorama was destroyed by fire in Independence Hall, Philadelphia. lle then went to Cincinnati, and commeneed another panorama on a larger seale, the latter one covering four thousand yards of canvas. His success with this panorama was something wonderful. He exhibited it in all parts of the United States, but found the most appreciation of his work in the Southern States. This panorama was afterward spoiled by a flood in Baltimore, which washed off nearly all the paint. Mr. Williams then came to Dayton and repainted it, and again exhibited it; and, after his death in 1870, it was destroyed by fire. Besides this great work, Mr. Williams painted a large number of portraits, and was a most noted painter in this line. A few of his finest pictures only can be named. Among them were the " Magdalen Repentant," the " Iliding of Moses," and "Ogarita." The latter represents an Indian girl in " The Sea of lee." Mr. Williams' fame rests mainly on his portraits, which were in great demand.
Mr. Williams' wife was also a distinguished painter, she having painted a remarkable ideal picture called " Bleeding Kansas," represent- ing that territory in the coils of the serpent, slavery. His children are also especially gifted in different lines of art. Ilis eldest daughter,
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LITERATURE, MUSIC, AND ART.
Mrs. Eva Best, is a story writer, poet, music composer, dramatist, and painter. She commenced writing for the papers in 1871, encouraged so to do by W. D. Bickbam, of the Dayton Journal. In 1872 she began contributing to the Cincinnati Saturday Night, and afterward for the Cincinnati Times- Star, under the nom de plume of "Saturn." She then wrote for Godey's Magazine, for T. S. Arthur's Home Magazine, for Peterson's Magazine, and for Frank Leslie's Magazine. Still later she became a contributor to the Detroit Free Press, and for Kellogg's news- paper syndicate. Mrs. Best writes a great deal in dialect. The dramas she has written are named " An American Princess," "Sands of Egypt," "Gemini," and "The Banshee," the latter an Irish play. One of Mrs. Best's peculiar advantages in the writing of stories is her ability to sketch such illustrations as she may require to elucidato her thoughts, and in her dramatic work she composes both the songs and the music with which her dramas are interspersed. She often paints landscapes, flower pieces, and fruits, and is also extremely apt and original in the art of designing.
Another daughter of Mr. Williams is Mrs. Lulu Williams Buchanan, of Sioux City, Iowa, who was formerly of Dayton. At the exposition at New Orleans, in 1885, she had on exhibition, by request, a flower picture, as a representative of lowa art, which was awarded one of the eleven bronze medals given to the ladies of the United States, for such work.
'T. Buchanan Read was among the artists who have become famous, who were at one time identified with Dayton. He came here in 1838 at the age of sixteen and remained a few years. IIe had been in the office of some sculptor in Cincinnati, but afterward determined to try his hand at painting. While in this city he began portrait painting and a few of his early efforts are still in existence, one of them being a portrait of Adam Houk, father of D. A. Houk and George W. Houk, and another of D. W. Wheelock. Upon leaving Dayton, he went to New York and afterward to Philadelphia, and in the latter city became a valued contribu- tor of poetry to the columns of the Philadelphia Courier and other papers. His subsequent carcer is matter of national fame.
Mrs. Mary Forrer Peirce, daughter of Samuel Forrer, began the study of art at the Cooper Institute, in New York, in 1860, giving atten- tion for the most part to landscape painting. She returned to Dayton in 1861, and devoted her time to teaching in connection with the Cooper Academy for about three years, under Mrs. Galloway, and afterward she had classes at her own home for about four years. In 1874, she went abroad and pursued her studies there for a year, and upon her return to Dayton, she again became connected with the Cooper Academy
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as teacher of art and remained in that connection until 1882, when she was married to J. HI. Peirce Since that time she has done but little in the way of teaching, having a few pupils at her own home. Her painting consists mostly of flower pictures and landscapes, in which lines she has met with more than ordinary success. She paints in water colors, oil colors, and on china, her water colors being specially worthy of mention on account of their superior delicacy. She has also given considerable attention to modeling in clay and to wood carving.
Miss II. Sophia Loury began the study of art with Miss Mary Forrer and afterward studied with Miss Laura Birge. She paints in both water colors and oil, and has devoted herself mostly to flowers, fruits, and game. She also does work on china and in India ink. One of her noted pictures is a basket of lemons, which, being left in the rooms of the Art League in New York City, was so highly esteemed by them as a work of art that after her return home she received a ticket of admission to the rooms of the league.
Mrs. Elizabeth Rogers commeneed painting about the year 1870. She was one of the most successful painters .of flower pictures ever in this country. This line of painting she followed until 1880, when Professor Broome came to Dayton, and then, under his instructions, she commenced the work of painting on china and continued it until her death in 1886. She painted both in water colors and in oil, and devoted herself mainly to painting flowers from nature. Her work was distinguished for the beauty of its tints and the perfection of its colors, and she is spoken of by all as having had but few, if any, superiors in her specialties.
Effie A. Rogers, daughter of Mrs. Elizabeth Rogers, is also identified with this city as one of its artists. She learned the painting of flower pieces from her mother and china painting from Professor Broome. She was one of the first to fire china successfully in this city. She worked in both water colors and in oil, and also did a great deal of original design- ing. Rebecca Rogers, another daughter of Mrs Elizabeth Rogers, was also a Dayton artist. Her specialty was children's portraits, but she also painted flower pieces and used both water colors and oil.
Miss Lanra C. Birge is a native of Seneca Falls, New York. She commeneed learning to draw with Miss Clara Soule, being a pupil of hers two or three years. She then went to New York City and took a course of lectures under Professor Rimmer, a celebrated artist, on the anatomy of art. She then studied in Cincinnati some time and afterward went to Europe, where she remained three years, a portion of the time in Munich and a portion in Paris. On the continent she studied oil paint- ing, but for a few mouths she was engaged in the study of water colors
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LITERATURE, MUSIC, AND ART.
in England. She returned to the United States in 1876, and has since, so far as her health would permit, been devoted to her profession. Miss Birge does not limit her efforts to any oue kind of subjects, but paints all kinds, animate or inanimate. Though a resident of Dayton, ber work has been mostly for Cleveland, Buffalo, and Chicago people, and she has always on hand more work than she can do.
Hugo B. Froehlich commenced the study of art under the tutorship of Valentine H. Schwartz, one of Dayton's best artists. His principal line of study has been that of portraiture. In 1884, he went to Cincinnati and studied there a few years, when he went to New York, remaining there one and one half years, in the meantime doing considerable litho- graph work. In 1887, he returned to Dayton, and has been engaged here in portrait painting ever since, devoting his time mainly to crayon work, though giving some attention to oil painting, with the view of making that his leading pursuit.
Otto Beck is a young Dayton artist of much promise. He is a son of Walter C. Beck, gardener at the National Soldiers' Home, and is at present in attendance at Munich, pursuing the study of painting. In April, 1887, he received a prize for the production of an allegorical painting representing "Evening," and is the first American for the past eight years to be thus honored. The representation of "Santa Claus," in the Christmas number of Harper's Weekly for 1888, was his work, and he has also prepared another picture of Santa Claus for the Christmas number for 1889, which has been accepted.
Miss Mary Burrowes studied with Mrs. J. II. Peirce and Professor Broome, and is a meritorious artist. Her work is limited, from choice, to the painting of flowers and fruits, in water colors and oil.
Miss Jeanne A. Edgar and Miss Isabel R. Edgar, daughters of John F. Edgar, are two of the lady artists of Dayton. The former makes a specialty of water colors and china colors, and has devoted much time to wood carving, having taken lessons in this branch of art work of Henry L. Fry, of Cincinnati. For a panel, which is part of a mantel in her own home, she received a diploma from the committee of the Centennial in Philadelphia in 1876. She has also devoted much time to designing, which is an art in itself. Miss Isabel R. Edgar commenced the study of drawing with Miss Wright at the Cooper Seminary, and has since takeu lessons of some of the best artists in Boston, Massachusetts, and in New York City. Of recent years she has made specialties of landscapes and portraits in water colors. Her portraits of children are specially noted for their excellence. For the past three years she has had a studio in New York City, where she has a large class and an excellent reputation as an artist.
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HISTORY OF DAYTON.
Valentine IL. Schwarz was born in Schleswig-Holstein. He studied art in Munich, Dresden, and other German cities, and came to the United States in 1857. He was in Cincinnati for a few years, and then came to Dayton, which, with the exception of two years spent in St. Louis, has since been his home .. He excels in portrait painting, frescoing, and scenie painting. Mr. Schwarz is a versatile artist, his forte, however, being frescoing. lle is an artist of great excellence in portraiture, more especially in oil. He is also an original designer, an art in which few excel.
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