Presto

May 5, 1928
13
P R E S T 0-T I M E S
JOHN McPHERSON DIES
IN MT. VERNON, ILL.
Music Dealer Who Achieved Fame as Com-
poser of Music and Songs Passes
Away at Age of 75.
John McPherson, head and founder of the John
McPherson Music Co., Mt. Vernon, 111., died at his
home in that city March 28. Funeral services were
held at the family home on Main street, and were
largely attended. The services were conducted by
the Rev. J. L. Meads of Oakland City, Ind., a life-
long friend of Mr. McPherson. Many beautiful floral
pieces were received from friends in Mt. Vernon and
elsewhere.
Mr. Meads paid glowing tribute to Mr. McPherson,
and the funeral oration is said to have been most
eloquent and beautiful. Knowing Mr. McPherson
as he did, it is said lie was able to speak from the
heart and his words rang with sincerity and truth.
Mr. McPherson was a wonderful character in his
way, and as a writer and composer of music was a
genius. He was contemporary of E. O. Excel and
P. P. Bliss, both of whom preceded him in death,
and their friendship was of many years standing.
Songs composed by Mr. McPherson were sung at
his funeral as follows: "The Open Gate," "The
Lord's Prayer," set to music, and "Peace Be Still."
The last named was his favorite.
Mr. McPherson was a most prolific writer and com-
poser of music and his song book, Echoes of Glory,
published in 1888, was the first Sunday school song
book used in Asia.
Mr. McPherson was born in Delaware county,
Ohio, March 31, 1853, and came to Jefferson county
with his parents the following year. Being raised
on the farm he had little chance to study music, but
in 1872 he attended the musical convention held by
the great P. P. Rliss in Mt. Vernon, 111., who kindled
the tires of pent-up desires to become a musician.
The following year he published his first song. In
18/6 he issued his first song book, "Waves of Song."
In 1880 he, with W. H. Burgett, issued "Songs of
Glory Land." and from thi« time on, as long as he
was able, he published almost annually new books
which were widely used all over this country. He
also taught music for over forty years and among his
former pupils were many nationally known musical
directors.
The business will be continued by his widow and
his sons, Albert and T. Otto McPherson.
TREAT ASSURED AT
PIANO CLUB LUNCHEON
Interesting Work of Recreation Department of Com-
monwealth Edison Co. to Be Described
by C. E. Phorney.
Visitors to the luncheon of the Piano Club of Chi-
cago at the Illinois Athletic Club next Monday noon
will enjoy a rare treat in the address to be delivered
by C. Edward Phorney, manager of the Recreation
Department of the Commonwealth Edison Company.
Mr. Phorney's topic is "One Hundred Miles Around
Chicago," a subject which gives him an opportunity
of discoursing tnd discussing many phases of life,
pleasure and recreation around about the great me-
tropolis of Chicago. This speaker will be introduced
to the club by his friend, E. F. Lapham, to whom
credit is due for bringing him to the Piano Club.
Next Monday is also another illuminating occasion,
"Membership Day. 1 '' Piano Club members are urged
to bring in ney members and the luncheon is com-
plimentary, not only to the new members but to the
one who sponsors his membership.
A rate of one-half fare has been settled for the
Chicago delegation which attend the New York con-
vention next June.
HONORS FOR SHIRLEY WALKER.
Shirley Walker, director and controller of Sher-
man, Clay & Co., San Francisco, and president of
the Music Trades Association of Northern Califor-
nia, has been elected president of the Retail Mer-
chants Association of San Francisco, an organization
with which the music trades is affiliated. The new
office makes him a member of the board of directors
of the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce.
WESSELL. NICKEL & GROSS
Manufacturers of
F. H. BYRNE ASSIGNED
TO THE AMPICO CORP.
Head of Advertising Department of American
Piano Co., Assumes Duties for Which
He Is Admirably Fitted.
F. H. B. Byrne, head of the advertising depart-
ment of the American Piano Company, New York,
has been assigned to the Ampico Corporation, to take
over certain of the duties relinquished by J. Milton
Delcamp on his appointment as vice-president of the
Mason & Hamlin Company.
Mr. Byrne has been identified with the various
divisions of the American Piano Company for more
than twenty years, and has spent his entire business
life with the organization. lie will make his head-
quarters temporarily at the Ampico Corporation, 29
West 57th street, but will move back to Ampico
Tower shortly, when all offices of the various divi-
sions are to be gathered under one roof.
George Urquhart, president of the American Piano
Company, when announcing Mr. Byrne's new assign-
ment said: "It isn't always possible to make a satis-
factory reorganization adjustment such as that in-
volving Mr. Delcamp's new work at Mason & Ham-
lin. That it is possible in this instance is due to the
fact that we have such an exceutive in our organiza-
tion as Mr. Byrne, who is so well acquainted with the
requirements of the Ampico Corporation."
Mr. Byrne is succeeded as advertising manager by
Robert Warner, who has long experience in agency
and publication work. He has been most recently
engaged in sales promotion work for the advertising
departments of Cosmopolitan and the Red Book
magazines, nationally circulated publications.
STARR BRANCH OPENS.
The Starr Piano Company, Richmond, Ind., has
rented a building on North Main street. New
Bremen, Ind., and will open a distributing branch
there this week. A large stock of pianos from Rich-
mond has been shipped there. Joe Farrell, factory
representative, is in charge of the store.
MOVING TRUCKS
for
PIANO ACTIONS
ONE GRADE ONLY
HIGHEST GRADE
PIANOS
The Wessell, Nickel & Gross action is a
guarantee of the grade of the instrument
in which it is found.
FACTORIES:
45thSt., 10th A N . &Wl6lh
YORK
Orthophonic Victrolas
Electric Refrigerators
OFFICE.
457 W. 45th Street
Write for catalog and prices for End Trucks, SilJ
Trucks, Hoists, Covers and Special Straps.
JULIUS BRECKWOLDT & SON. INC.
nOI.GFVIIl.fi. N Y.
Manufactured b"
Self-Lifting PianoTruck Co,
FINDLAY, OHIO
Piano Backs, Boards, Bridges, Bars,
Traplevers and Mouldings
J KKMKWOI l>l . I*'..*
W
A HKKCILWI •!.!>'•'. So< . A
I rem.
THE! O S. KELLY CO.
Manufacturers
PRESTO BUYERS' GUIDE
TELLS ALL ABOUT ALL PIANOS
of
Mighi
Grade
PIANO PLATES
SPRINGFIELD
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OHIO
XH E CO MSTOCK, C HEIST E^ Y & CO.
IVORYTON, CONN
IVORY CUTTERS SINCE 1834
MANUFACTURERS OF
Grand Keys, Actions and Hammers, Upright Keys
Actions and Hammer , Pipe Organ Keys
Piano Forte Ivory for Ihe Trade
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