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Elizabeth Mills

1805 - 1829 Person Name: Mrs. Elizabeth Mills Author of "To be there, to be there" in International Song Service Mills, Elizabeth, née King, daughter of Philip King, was born at Stoke Newington in 1805; married to Thomas Mills, M.P., and died at Finsbury Place, London, April 21, 1829. Her popular hymn:— We speak of the realms of the blest. [Heaven] is thus annotated in Miller's Singers and Songs, &c, 1869, p. 483: "We are much indebted to John Remington Mills, Esq., M.P. for information about this hymn, written by his accomplished relative. The original has 6 st. and was composed after reading ‘Bridges on the 119th Psalm' (on ver. 44, p. 116), ‘We speak of heaven, but oh! to be there.' . . . Already deservedly a favourite, new interest will be added to this hymn when we know that the authoress was early called to ‘the realms of the blest,' of which she sang so sweetly, and that she wrote this hymn a few weeks before her death." The text of this hymn is usually given in an imperfect form. The corrections are supplied by W. F. Stevenson in his Hymns for Church and Home, 1873, "Children's Hymns," No. 151, and the note thereon. Few children's hymns have been received with more favour. It is found in almost every hymn-book published for Children in Great Britain and America during the last fifty years. In some collections it begins, "We sing of the land of the blest"; and in others,"We talk of the land of the blest," --John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)

I. B. Woodbury

1819 - 1858 Composer of "PIERCE" in Crowning Day, No. 6 Woodbury, Isaac Baker. (Beverly, Massachusetts, October 23, 1819--October 26, 1858, Columbia, South Carolina). Music editor. As a boy, he studied music in nearby Boston, then spent his nineteenth year in further study in London and Paris. He taught for six years in Boston, traveling throughout New England with the Bay State Glee Club. He later lived at Bellow Falls, Vermont, where he organized the New Hampshire and Vermont Musical Association. In 1849 he settled in New York City where he directed the music at the Rutgers Street Church until ill-health caused him to resign in 1851. He became editor of the New York Musical Review and made another trip to Europe in 1852 to collect material for the magazine. in the fall of 1858 his health broke down from overwork and he went south hoping to regain his strength, but died three days after reaching Columbia, South Carolina. He published a number of tune-books, of which the Dulcimer, of New York Collection of Sacred Music, went through a number of editions. His Elements of Musical Composition, 1844, was later issued as the Self-instructor in Musical Composition. He also assisted in the compilation of the Methodist Hymn Book of 1857. --Leonard Ellinwood, DNAH Archives

J. C. Ewing

1849 - 1937 Composer of "[We speak of the realms of the blest]" in Crown Him John Cook Ewing (1849-1937), who usually referred to himself as J.C. Ewing, was the pioneer Brethren musician, music teacher and composer. Before providing a synopsis of Ewing’s life and work it is appropriate to identify the Brethren of whom we are speaking, for several denominations have the term Brethren in their names, and to relate the religious and hymnological culture within which J. C. Ewing served. In the nineteenth century this particular body called themselves The Fraternity of German Baptists and the German Baptist Brethren. Their beginnings in 1708 were in the little village of Schwarzenau, Germany under the leadership of Alexander Mack Sr. (1679-1735). Due to religious persecution of Anabaptists, most of these Brethren emigrated for America by the 1730’s. By the 1880’s the Brethren were divided over several issues: notably whether or not they should be engaged in higher education, have Sunday Schools, participate in evangelistic endeavors, call persons to serve in foreign missions, sing from hymnals with musical notation, and use musical instruments in worship. The controversies led to schism and the establishment of three distinct Brethren groups: the more cautious, conservative parent body which retained the name German Baptist Brethren, a more “progressive” wing known as The Brethren Church, and the ultra-conservatives who referred to themselves as the Old German Baptist Brethren. Today there are several groups which share this common heritage: the German Baptist Brethren (renamed the Church of the Brethren in 1908, with administrative offices in Elgin, Illinois), The Brethren Church headquartered in Ashland, Ohio, The Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches, Winona, Lake, Indiana (also known for business purposes as Charis Fellowship), the Conservative Grace Brethren Churches International, the Old German Baptist Brethren New Conference, and the Dunkard Brethren Church. The first Brethren hymnal in America was Das Kleine Davidische Psalterspiel der Kinder Zions (the Small Davidic Psaltery of the Children of Zion), a hymnbook for which early Brethren leaders and the prominent colonial American printer, Christopher Sauer, collaborated for its production in Germantown, Pennsylvania. In 1791 came the fifth edition of the Psalterspiel, and also the first English language hymnal of the Brethren, The Christian’s Duty. With this English language hymnbook began the second of two entirely separate tracks of Brethren hymnals in the nineteenth century. Over the course of the century there was a gradual shift to the English language among the Brethren and the demise of their hymnic heritage and original piety. During the first half of the nineteenth century the Brethren patterned their worship services according to what they believed to be the primitive church’s inclusions of singing, praying, reading Scripture, and preaching. Congregational hymn singing was “lined” and often led by a deacon serving as song leader (Vorsänger). Hymns were sung slowly and thoughtfully, with every stanza of a hymn sung, and rendered unaccompanied and in unison. Although it was stated at the denomination’s Annual Meeting of 1844 that four-part harmony was not acceptable as well as the use of musical instruments, four-part singing was evidenced in some Brethren congregations. Brethren hymnbooks in mid-century continued to be printed without musical notation. According to Annual Meeting decisions in 1825 and 1838, Brethren were also prohibited from providing a meeting place for or teaching in “singing schools.” The prohibition was moderated in later meetings (1862, 1874), most likely due to the fact that there was an interest in learning how to sing, and the pioneer Brethren musician traveled as a singing school teacher. John Cook Ewing, born near Benton, Holmes County, Ohio May 8, 1849, studied music with some of the foremost teachers of that era, including composer George Frederick Root of Chicago. Ewing became a skilled organist, pianist and song leader, a prolific composer of hymn tunes, and a very competent music teacher. Before the divisions of the early 1880’s, he served as the first instructor of music at the Brethren-affiliated Huntingdon Normal School (later Juniata College) in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania. He was entrusted with the 1879 revision of The Brethren’s Tune and Hymn Book (1872), the first Brethren hymnal with musical notation, set with shape-notes. Included were seventeen hymn tunes composed by Ewing. After the schism J. C. Ewing affiliated with The Brethren Church and was invited to be the first professor of music at the denomination’s newly established institution of higher learning, Ashland College, Ashland, Ohio. He was also called upon to serve as compiler and editor of the first of only two hymnals produced by The Brethren Church, The Brethren Hymnody with Tunes (for Sanctuary, Sunday School, Prayer Meeting, and Home Circle), published by J. C. Ewing in 1884 at Wilmington, Ohio, and set in round-note musical notation. Ewing contributed fourteen tunes to this hymnal. John Cook Ewing spent most of his career as a public school music teacher. He was teacher and music supervisor for the Lebanon, Ohio schools, and later the first music teacher of the South Bend, Indiana public schools. He also served as music director and deacon at the South Bend Brethren Church. In his later years he was music director at the First Brethren Church of Dayton, Ohio. Ewing died in Dayton May 27, 1937 and was buried in the Bear Creek Cemetery on Union Road in Dayton. Peter E. Roussakis

F. A. Blackmer

1855 - 1930 Composer of "[We speak of the land of the blest]" in Gospel in Song Blackmer, Francis Augustus. (Ware, Massachusetts, February 17, 1855--October 8, 1930, Somerville, Massachusetts). Advent Christian musician. His parents, Augustus and Jane Blackmer, were among those caught up in the excitement of the Millerite Movement. One son, Fred, became an Advent Christian minister. Francis, with a talent recognized at an early age, consecrated his own life to Christian service as a musician. He was immersed in baptism at the Adventist campmeeting in Springfield, Massachusetts, by Elder Miles Grant. His early years were spend in central Massachusetts, his schooling at Wilbraham Academy. He was largely self-taught in harmony and musical composition. He wrote the words and music to his first gospel song, "Out on the fathomless sea," at the age of sixteen. Altogether he wrote over 300 gospel songs about the Second Coming, witnessing and working for the Lord, and praises to God's Holy Name. A few of these have circulated widely outside his own denomination. His final text, "I shall see him, And be like him," came when he was so weak that his friend, Clarence M. Seamans, had to supply the music. He used the pseudonym, A. Francis, with some of his early songs. Blackmer's first anthology was The Gospel Awakening, (1888). Subsequent gospel songbooks with which he was associated were: Singing by the Way (1895), Carols of Hope (1906), The Golden Sheaf, No. 2 (1916), and Songs of Coming Glory (1926). Most of his adult life was spent in Somerville, Massachusetts, a suburb of Boston, where he had a prosperous piano business. In the 1890s, his "Francis A. Blackmer Pianos" were made for him by the Washington Hall Piano Company of Boston. Later, his "Good as Gold Pianos" were manufactured by the Christman Piano Company of New York City and shipped directly to his customers throughout New England. In Somerville, Blackmer served as choirmaster and song-leader in the Advent Christian Church for many years. He was also an elder of the church until his death. From 1914 until his death, he was songleader at the mid-summer Alton Bay Campmeeting on Lake Winnepesaukee, New Hapshire. There his High Rock Hill was both a salesroom and a summer cottage over the years. He was a member of the board of directors of the campmeeting association for several years. Very popular were his singing sessions on the campground square between suppertim and evening services, and a final sing into the small hours of the night following the final service of the campmeeting. --Leonard Ellinwood, DNAH Archives

A. J. Showalter

1858 - 1924 Composer of "[We speak of the realms of the blest]" in Choice Gospel Hymns Anthony Johnson Showalter USA 1858-1924/ Born in Cherry Grove, VA, he became an organist, gospel music composer, author, teacher, editor, and publisher. He was taught by his father and in 1876 received training at the Ruebush-Kieffer School of Music, Dayton, VA. He also attended George Root’s National Normal school at Erie, PA, and Dr Palmer’s International Normal at Meadville, PA. He was teaching music in shape note singing schools by age 14. He taught literary school at age 19, and normal music schools at age 22, when he also published his first book. In 1881 he married Lucy Carolyn (Callie) Walser of TX, and they had seven children: Tennie, Karl, Essie, Jennie, Lena, Margaret, and Nellie. At age 23 he published his “Harmony & composition” book, and years later his “Theory of music”. In 1884 he moved to Dalton, GA, and in 1890 formed the Showalter Music Company of Dalton. His company printed and published hymnals, songbooks, schoolbooks, magazines, and newspapers, and had offices in Texarkana, AR, and Chattanooga, TN. In 1888 he became a member of the M T N A (Music Teachers National Association) and was vice-president for his state for several years. In 1895 he went abroad to study methods of teachers and conductors in Europe. He held sessions of his Southern Normal Music Institute in a dozen or more states. He edited “The music teacher & home magazine” for 20 years. In 1895 he issued his “New harmony & composition” book. He authored 60+ books on music theory, harmony, and song. He published 130+ music books that sold over a million copies. Not only was he president of the A J Showalter Music Company of Dalton, GA, but also of the Showalter-Patton Company of Dallas, TX, two of the largest music publishing houses in the American south. He was a choir leader and an elder in the First Presbyterian Church in Dalton (and his daughter, Essie, played the organ there). He managed his fruit farm, looking after nearly 20,000 trees , of which 15,000 are the famous Georgia Elberta peaches, the rest being apples, plums, pecans, and a dozen other varieties of peaches. He was also a stockholder and director of the Cherokee Lumber Company of Dalton, GA, furnishing building materials to a large trade in many southern, central and eastern states. He died in Chattanooga, TN, and is buried in Dalton, GA. He loved hymns, and kept up with many of his students over the years, writing them letters of counsel and encouragement. In 2000 Showalter was inducted into the Southern Gospel Music Hall of Fame. Note: Showalter received two letters one evening from former music students, both of who were grieving over the death of their wives. He had heard a sermon about the arms of Moses being held up during battle, and managed to form a tune and refrain for a hymn, but struggled to find words for the verses that fit. He wrote to his friend in OH, Rev Elisha Hoffman, who had already composed many hymns and asked if he could write some lyrics, which he gladly did. John Perry

Arthur Patton

1854 - 1892 Composer of "URBS COELESTIS" in Children's Hymnal

J. H. Saylor

Composer of "[We speak of the realms of the blest]" in Welcome Songs

Harry Clayton

Author of "To be there" in Songs of Saving Power

A. D. Fillmore

1823 - 1869 Composer of "IOWA" in New Christian Hymn and Tune Book Fillmore, Augustus Damon. (Gallia County, Ohio, September 7, 1823--June 10, 1870, Cincinnati, Ohio). Minister, Christian Church. Co-editor (with Silas White Leonard, 1814-1870) or Christian Psalmist (1847), which "probably had a more general circulation than any other of his publications." Author of "Come, come, come to the Saviour" and composer of several hymn tunes. --George Brandon, DNAH Archives

Charles Edward Pollock

1853 - 1928 Person Name: Chas. E. Pollock Composer of "[We speak of the land of the blest]" in Crowning Day No. 3 Charles Edward Pollock USA 1853-1928. Born at Newcastle, PA, he moved to Jefferson City, MO, when age 17. He was a cane maker for C W Allen. He also worked 20 years for the MO Pacific Railroad, as a depot clerk and later as Assistant Roadmaster. He was a musician and prolific songwriter, composing 5000+ songs, mostly used in Sunday school settings and church settings. He took little remuneration for his compositions, preferring they be freely used. He produced three songbooks: “Praises”, “Beauty of praise”, and “Waves of melody”. In 1886 he married Martha (Mattie) Jane Harris, and they had three children: Robert, Edward, and a daughter. He died in Merriam, KS. John Perry ================= Pollock, Charles Edward. (Jefferson City, Missouri, 1853-1924). Records of Jefferson City indicate the following: 1897 clerk at depot; residence at 106 Broadway (with Mildred Pollock) 1904-1905 cane maker for C. W. Allen 1908-1909 musician; residence at 106 Broadway (with wife Matty) 1912-1913 residence at St. Louis Road, east city limits --Wilmer Swope, DNAH Archives Note: not to be confused with Charles Edward Pollock (c.1871-1924).