USA > Ohio > Ohio's progressive sons; a history of the state; sketches of those who have helped to build up the commonwealth > Part 80
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the opera house orchestra from the time of its opening. For twenty-six years he has con- ducted the Youngstown Maennerchor, the leading singing society of that city. Mr. Liebman is a composer of great merit in instrumental and vocal music. He was married in 1878 to Miss Emma Ritter, and is the father of six children, four girls and two boys. One of the sons, J. Edwin Liebman, has shown a remarkable talent for music, and has already gained a splendid reputation for one so young. During his stay in Youngstown, Mr. Liebman has instructed pupils of the best families in his community, and is looked upon as a man of great ability and wide experience. He lives at No. 708 Wick Avenue, Youngstown.
Joseph G. Liddicoat,
Of Cleveland, Ohio, member of the Faculty of the Cleveland School of Music, instructor of the mandolin, guitar and banjo at the West- ern Reserve College for Women, and com- poser of note, is a native of England, in which country he was born at St. Blaizie, Cornell, on the 4th of June, 1859. His father, Thomas Liddicoat, a miner, emigrated with his family to the United States when Joseph had reached the age of five years, and settled in Michigan. Here his son received the first rudiments of an education. After eight years, Mr. Thomas Liddicoat moved with his family to New Jersey. When eighteen years of age, Mr. Joseph G. Liddicoat left school and started into business life at Scranton, Pennsylvania, as a clerk, remaining in that vocation for fifteen years, studying music in his leisure hours, for which art he demonstrated a remarkable talent. It was during that time JOSEPH G. LIDDICOAT that he became a member of the Thirteenth Regiment Band, N. G. Pennsylvania, playing the clarionet. After five years he severed his connections with the band and came to Cleveland. Here he soon became identified with the musical interests of the Forest City, and since more than thirteen years he has instructed large classes in the playing of the guitar, banjo and mandolin. Among his pupils are the very best citizens of Cleveland and their children-for instance: Congressman Beidler, the son of Governor Herrick, Mayor Tom L. Johnson's two children, etc. It was Mr. Liddi- coat who started the first mandolin club of the Western Reserve University, and outside of above-named duties he is director of many institutional classes of Cleveland, and private teacher of his favorite instruments at No. 319 Bangor Building. As composer of many compositions for complete mandolin orchestra, he enjoys a wide reputation. He was mar- ried in 1884 to Miss Maud Bennett, of Scranton, Pennsylvania. Two daughters are the issue of their union; one of them, a highly talented pianist, banjoist and mandolin player, first appeared in a public concert at the early age of eight years.
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Milton Lueco Lynas,
Of Columbus, Ohio, a young and promising musician, who is making rapid strides in his profession, is a native of St. Louis, where he was born on the 16th of October, 1881. His parents are Edward M. Lynas, a wholesale grocer, and Ella Lucinda Lynas, both of whom came from Pennsylvania, their native State, and are of English-Scotch descent. When a child, Mr. Milton L. Lynas came to Columbus, where he was educated in the public and High Schools. Showing a fine talent for music when a boy, his parents decided to give him a careful training, and consequently they placed him under the tutorship of Professors Parkinson, Schoppelrei and Gale, all of whom were men of splendid attainments in the musical pro- fession. As soon as he had completed his musical studies, Mr. Lynas began the teaching MILTON LUECO LYNAS of music, and in that art has gained marked success. While being a young man, he has a brilliant future before him. Mr. Lynas is a member of the A. F. of M. He has his residence and studios at No. 493 West Fourth Avenue, Columbus, Ohio.
J. Frank Maguire,
Director of the Wittenberg Conservatory of Music, at Springfield, Ohio, was born on the 19th of October, 1876, in the city of Boston, Massachusetts. Surrounded by a musical atmosphere, Mr. Maguire developed an early taste for music, which became so pronounced that after his literary education was received, it was decided to embark him upon the career which he has so ably filled in later years. He enjoyed the instruction of various teachers of the New England Conservatory of Music, the principal ones being Charles Dennee, the head of the piano department, and Dr. Percy Goetchius, the noted theorist.
After several years of assiduous teaching, impelled by the constant desire for further knowledge, Mr. Maguire took up his studies with Mme. Antoinette Szumowska, of Paris, who was a pupil of the great Paderewski. After two years of hard study abroad, Mr. Maguire returned to his native shores, and in
J. FRANK MAGUIRE
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1902 was elected from forty-five applicants, some from abroad, as director of the Wittenberg Conservatory of Music. He is now filling his third successive term in that position as proof of his ability. In that institution he teaches piano, pipe organ and theory. He has composed numerous songs. Mr. Maguire is a musician of sterling ability and pronounced talent, well versed in modern and classic literature. He possesses the touch and temperament of the genuine artist, and the general impressions culled from various opinions as a teacher are that he possesses natural endowment, acquired skill and professional enthusiasm. He has received from some of the best musicians in this country many letters of encomium, among which the following from Mr. Charles Dennee, of the New England Conservatory of Music, may be published as an example :
"I wish you every success in your work. You have the temperament and artistic ideals, and the sort of brilliancy which should gain excellent results in your community. I was pleased with the analytical manner with which you work things out, and as this always betokens a thorough method of working with your own pupils, I am quite confident of your success in that line. With best wishes, I am sincerely yours,
CHARLES DENNEE."
J. O. MANVILLE
J. O. Manville,
Supervisor of Music in the Public Schools of Warren, Ohio, is a young musician of more than ordinary talent and ability. He was born on the 21st of March, 1878, at the beautiful little village of Willoughby, Lake County, Ohio. He attended the public schools of his home village and graduated from the Wil- loughby High School, and received his musical education from some of Cleveland's best musicians. Mr. Manville is a good violinist and possesses a pleasing tenor voice. He began teaching music in the Willoughby schools in 1898, and was appointed Supervisor of Music in the public schools of Warren in the fall of 1903. He has been very successful in this line of work, and is devoting his whole time to it. Besides his school work, Mr. Man- ville directs a choir in the M. E. Church at his home, and is the leader of a fine orchestra. He is fast becoming known in the school circles of Ohio, and his prospects of success seem very bright.
Edmund S. Mattoon,
There was a time not very far back when the word musician was considered as synonymous with German, or at any rate foreigner. The teachers of the piano and the violin were all Germans and the teachers of singing all Italians. Music was classed among the amusements strictly, and its value was chiefly acknowledged as an innocent time-killer for young girls. The last quarter of a century, however, has produced a change in the attitude of the American mind toward the great art of music, which is almost as wonderful an illus-
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tration of revolution as that which the intellectual life of mankind has taken in its relation- ship to Darwinism. Now, there are not wanting many native-born Americans who adopt music as a business. Among these, Edmund S. Mattoon is a notable instance. He was born at Columbus, Ohio, in the year 1841. In him the adage about men of esprit inheriting their talent from the mother is again exempli- fied. She was of decided musical tastes and gifts, and Mr. Mattoon's talent has always been of that versatile, many-sided character which finds its best expression at the piano- forte, the director's stand, and the composer's desk. He resides at present in his native city, whither he was called in 1874 by the advancing age of his father, his mother having died. Previous to that date, he spent a period of about ten years in Detroit, exercising the profession of piano teacher and organist. He also held in earlier life the post of teacher at the Xenia Female College, and a similar position at the Ohio Wesleyan University, Delaware, Ohio, in the days when it was a separate school, not as yet merged in the Ohio Wesleyan University, being Director of Music in both institutions. He also has had some experience of operatic life, having traveled with the Caroline Richings and the Campbell & Castle Opera Commpanies as pianist and musical director; also with the brilliant can- tatrice, Marie Litta. The report which comes EDMUND S. MATTOON from all these sources only reinforces the conviction that he is in all things a rounded musician and an effective, energetic worker. In boyhood he was what the Germans call a"wunder kind," and in the capacity of boy virtuoso was frequently exhibited to an admiring and prophesying public. Having been taken as the protege of a musical lady, Mrs. Isabella Chapman, to New York City, he there received the painstaking and valuable instruction of the celebrated pianist and com- poser, Wollenhaupt, of whom he has always spoken with great respect and even veneration. Indeed, it is not difficult for a discerning ear and critical mind to detect in the lighter com- positions of Mr. Mattoon, not the imitation of Wollenhaupt's manner exactly, but what may be called a transferred and kindred glow. During his long period of artistic service in the city of his birth, he has, besides producing many accomplished pupils, served the First Congregational Church, Wesley Chapel M. E. Church, First Presbyterian and various other Christian congregations in the capacity of organist, with the completest success, and that union of artistic judgment with almost religious feeling which is rarely to be found among the musical servants of Protestant churches.
In the year 1887, a golden year for the O. M. T. A., Mr. Mattoon was among the most active spirits, having a large part of the local management devolved upon him, and appearing before the assembly in various important roles-piano soloist, accompanist, lec- turer and the like. The previous year he also read an admirable paper on Pianoforte Study and Practice. The year 1887 was the time when Johannes Wolfram had, with Titanic labor,
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brought the O. M. T. A. to a flourishing magnitude and enthusiasm ; it is still remembered and always will be by those who participated in it, as an inspiring occasion, filled with the display of fruits gathered from the past, and decorated with blossoms of hope for the future. In conjunction with William H. Sherwood, Mr. Mattoon played at the National Association (N. M. T. A.) at Indianapolis in 1887 an elaborate and brilliant work for four hands, a pianoforte Tarantelle, Op. 21, which elicited much enthusiasm, and has been fre- quently played since, both in the East and the West. Of this, Mr. Sherwood, now of Chicago, expresses in writing the following opinion: "My Dear Mr. Mattoon: It gives me great pleasure to refer to your musical talent, scholarship, fancy and ability as composer and musician, as of a very high and artistic order. The bright, original and thoroughly charm- ing "Tarantelle" (Op. 21), just played at some of my concerts with most brilliant success, is a proof of your merit. Your work for the cause of music can not fail to be productive of true progress and high art value." And again the same high pianistic authority puts this upon record: "Your compositions show the true ring, fire, conception, fine sensibility and the cultivated taste of the musician." "Your Tarantelle (Op. 21) is a very fine and effective bravura piece." In reference to Mr. Mattoon's powers as a teacher, after hearing his pupils play, Mr. Sherwood says the following: "Your playing to me last April, and the playing of yourself and a pupil last summer, showed the good methods and the thoroughness of your playing and your teaching delightfully and well." That most genial of gentlemen and enthusiastic of veteran piano teachers, Dr. William Mason, says the following: "I have received your "Joyful" and graceful "Scherzo-Caprice" (Op. 22) and have read it through with interest. It is light, airv and tuneful, and at the same time not difficult-so that I should think it would meet with much favor from pianoforte players." "The Tarantelle (Op. 21, four hands) is, I think, effective, brilliant and melodious." Arthur Foote, the pianist, and composer, resident in Boston, says: "The Tarantelle (Op. 21) I liked immensely at Indianapolis. It is really most effective, and grateful too." "A great many thanks for the Saltarello, which I think is very brilliant and effective." The celebrated concert organist, Clarence Eddy, of Chicago, has the following to say: "The Deuxieme Saltarello (Op. 27) is a delightful piano piece; brilliant, yet refined; striking, yet finished in style and treatment. It would be an effective short number in any pianist's repertory." "The Romanza is broad, rich and impassioned, with a big dramatic voice it must be extremely effective." Lastly, Fred L. Morey, of Chicago, says : "I have just made the acquaintance of your Deuxieme Saltarello and Impromptu Capriccioso. I find the pieces very interesting, melodious and flowing, and, above all, lucid. It is a pleasure to meet with two pieces displaying the spontaneity of your Opus 27 and 28."
The foregoing amplitude of quotation makes evident again and again the sterling musical qualities of Mr. Mattoon's work. The consensus of opinion from all these dis- tinguished musicians will be found in two main thoughts-melodious grace and effective brilliancy. But it must not be understood that Mr. Mattoon has produced nothing but the showy calon and concert pieces for the pianoforte. He has written also some works in the more serious, classical forms-and indeed mere virtuosity never runs riot in his compositions, at the expense of noble thought. He never allows the rapture of dexterous fingers to overflow and submerge the flower-garden of the heart. An added interest and augmented merit rests also in the fact that in composition he has been his own instructor.
-JOHN S. VAN CLEVE.
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Henry Maurice Maurer,
Who since his arrival in Cleveland, in August, 1903, has made an enviable record as a thorough teacher of music and conductor of singing societies, was born on the Ist of June, 1872, at Zuerich, Switzerland. His father, Thomas Maurer, was Superintendent of the railroad department of the Swiss Railroad. Mr. Maurer was educated in the city schools, both common and secondary, and the Seminary of Chur. Despite the fact that Mr. Maurer showed a wonderful musical talent, when still a boy, his parents would not consent to give him a thorough musical training. How- ever, Mr. Maurer, through his own energy and tenacity, secured such an education, and from 1892 to 1893 he attended the celebrated Conservatory of Music at Zuerich, where he pursued his studies under Dr. Fr. Hegar. In 1893, Mr. Maurer went to Stuttgart and entered the Royal Conservatory in that city. In that institution he studied under such masters as Dr. T. Faiszt, Dr. Scholl, Professor S. de Lange, and Professor W. Speidel. While a student at the Stuttgart Con- servatory of Music, Mr. Maurer conducted the orchestra and chorus of the "Musikkranz," a musical society of seventy active members. He also for a period of one year was instructor at the Conservatory of Music, and often appeared in concerts and piano and organ recitals with marked success. During his sojourn in Stuttgart, Mr. Maurer was the recipient of five annual prizes of 500 francs each, out of the Bruegger fund, an endowment of the city of Zuerich for the most efficient HENRY MAURICE MAURER musical student from Zuerich. After leaving the Conservatory of Music at Stuttgart, Mr. Maurer went to Geneva, Switzerland, where he at once became prominent in musical circles, as director of the German Liedertafel (Liederkranz), organist and choirmaster of the Lutheran Church, and teacher of music in the famous institute of Rev. Hoffmann. He also became the conductor of the "Gruetli Maennerchor," which well-known society he directed during the reunion of all the "Gruetli-Vereine" in 1899, at Berne. The success of Mr. Maurer's chorus was so marked that he was presented by the officers of the reunion with a golden laurel wreath. In the same year Mr. Maurer received as recognition of his excellent services as a judge at the "Concours Musical du Faubourg St. Gervais," a golden medal with diploma. In 1903, Mr. Maurer emigrated to the United States, and after a short stay in New York, he came to Cleveland, Ohio. In the Forest City he met with immediate success, and he now conducts the "Liederkranz" and the "Harugari Maennerchor," "Schwaebischer Saengerbund" and "Lehrergesangverein," some of the most prominent male choruses of Cleveland. Mr. Maurer has gained the reputation of being a conscientious and painstaking teacher of extraordinary ability. His pupils belong to the very best Cleveland families. He is a composer of merit, and his compositions for mixed and male choruses have become known in wide circles. Mr. Maurer's studios are located at No. 327 Prospect Street, Cleveland, Ohio.
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Alfred Metzdorf,
Violin soloist, and teacher of music, with headquarters at Cleveland, Ohio, was born on the 21st of February, 1877, in the Forest City. His parents, Wilhelm Metzdorf and Anna Engelmann, came from Charlottenburg and Dresden, Germany, respectively, emigrated to the United States and settled in Cleveland, where their son, Mr. Alfred Metzdorf, received his musical, as well as his literary education. He graduated from the Cleveland High Schools in 1896. His teacher in violin was Mr. Henry Miller, and in piano and theory Messrs. Johannes Wolfram and Wilson G. Smith. He began teaching at the age of six- teen, while still pursuing his studies, and has met with the greatest success. His serv- ices as teacher, as well as violin soloist, have been in great demand. He is the conductor and soloist of the Cleveland Ladies' Orchestra, a member of the Slayton Concert Bureau, of Chicago, and the Brockway Concert Bureau of Pittsburg. Mr. Metzdorf was a member of the old Symphony Orchestra under Johann Beck, and at present is the director of the Cleveland Pilgrim Orchestra. A number of his compositions, mostly songs, still remain in manuscript. On the IIth of June, 1902, he married Miss Ralphina Parsons, and lives at No. 86 North Genesee Street, while his studios ALFRED METZDORF are located at No. 50 Euclid Avenue, Cleve- land, Ohio.
Sid H. Morey,
Of Akron, Ohio, director of Morey's Colonial Theater Orchestra, and teacher of music of splendid reputation, was born on the 22d of October, 1860, at Rome, Ashtabula County, Ohio. He is of Welsh ancestry, and his father, W. R. Morey, was a well-known Justice of the Peace in Ashtabula County. Mr. Morey was born and raised on a farm, and early showing a desire to make the music profession his life's work, he was instructed upon the violin, his favorite instrument, by the best teachers, obtainable, and soon displayed unusual ability, which became early recognized. When but fifteen years of age, he became connected with a theatrical orchestra, and for the next ten years traveled all over the United States in his capacity as a violinist. About twenty years ago Mr. Morey, desiring to settle in life, began the teaching of his profession in the city of Akron, where he has continuously practiced ever since. He is considered a thorough and capable teacher of string and brass instruments, and has many pupils belonging to the best families of Summit County under his tuition. As director of Morey's Colonial Theater Orchestra, he has earned an enviable reputation, not only for himself, but for the theater with which he is connected. Politically, Mr. Morey is a Republican. In 1886 he was united in marriage to Miss Clara Elliott, an estimable young lady of Columbus. He is the father of two children-a son, Bertram, and a daughter, Ethel,
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both of whom show talent for their father's art. Mr. Morey resides at No. 237 South High Street, Akron, Ohio, where his studios are located.
William Alphons Metzner,
A well-known musician of Dayton, Ohio, was born on the 19th of May, 1867, in the province of Silesia, and emigrated to this country in 1884, landing in the city of New York, at which place he first took up his profession in his adopted country. He is the son of William Metzner, who followed the profession of teaching. The son, William Metzner, was educated in the Gymnasia of Tropau and Teschen, and his musical training was obtained under private tutorship at home. After landing in this country, he remained in the city of New York for nine months, when WILLIAM ALPHONS METZNER he removed to the northern part of New York State. He came to the State of Ohio in 1892 and settled in Dayton, where he immediately became connected with the band of the National Military Home. He soon attracted the attention of the musical community, and was made conductor of the National Home Theater Orchestra, as well as of the Harugari Liederkranz, a leading singing society of the Gem City. He is also a skilled organist, and occupies the position of organist and choirmaster in Trinity Church, Dayton. Mr. Metzner is the composer of a number of compositions, marches and songs, some of which contain no small degree of merit. Socially, he is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and the Ameri- can Federation of Musicians. In 1888 he mar- ried Miss Emma Jasmar, this union resulting in the birth of two daughters and one son. ยท Mr. Metzner resides with his family on Lake- view Avenue, and has his office in the National Military Home.
Charles Sumner Morrison,
Who for several years has been conductor of Morrison's Band, at Ottawa, and who occu- pies the position of Supervisor of Music in the public schools of Ottawa, Ohio, and Leipsic, Ohio, was born at Senecaville, Guernsey County, Ohio, on the 8th of March, 1860. He began the study of music at the age of six years as a pupil of his father, who is still living, and who has been a thorough musician
CHARLES SUMNER MORRISON
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and teacher of music all his life. Mr. Charles S. Morrison attended the schools of his native town, and under his father's tuition pursued his studies in music until he reached the age of fifteen years, when father and son started in the business of conducting conventions and doing concert work, the young man playing the piano at all entertainments given. From the beginning of his musical studies, young Morrison studied hard and faithfully, and while on the road devoted himself to the study of musical theory, harmony, thorough bass, compo- sition, musical history and all that pertains to music, to obtain a general knowledge of the profession. In 1880 he started out for himself as an instructor in band and orchestra work, and has since filled many positions of importance in the Western and Middle Western States. In 1884 he accepted the position of director of music in the schools of Golconda, Illinois, and was director of the Egyptian band while located in Golconda, a period of eight years. While located at the above-mentioned place he did much outside work instructing and conducting bands and orchestras at other points. He also held the position of Vice President of the Music Teachers' Association of Illinois. In 1892 he was tendered the position of musical director of the Fayette Normal University at Fayette, Ohio, which he accepted and remained there six years. While a resident of Fayette he was elected to the position of Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Ohio Music Teachers' Association, a position he filled for two terms, and he was appointed one of the examiners of public school music. In 1898 Professor Morrison changed his location to Adrian, Michigan, where he connected himself with Adrian College, as director of music, holding the position two years. In all his college positions he severed his connection with the institutions by voluntary resignation. After severing his connection with Adrian College he put in a year of recreation and travel on the road, representing Grinnell Bros.' music house, of Detroit, Michigan. In the years he was connected with school and college work he put in his sum- mer vacations on the road, traveling for the John Church Music Company, of Cincinnati. Fore more than twenty-five years Professor Morrison has been an instructor in music, sixteen years as college instructor, and all that time has paid marked attention to the instruction of pupils upon the piano.
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