The Union. [volume] (Georgetown, Del.) 1863-1866, 1864-02-19
MtsfelIaueaass


stephen G. Foster, the Com<oser.
Mr.. Charles Mcknight, editor Of the Pitts
burg Chronicle, makes sne following remiais-
cence Of the popular mclodist;
This afternoon the mortal YreEnsins Of sts-
phenY Q. Festcr were carried to their last
abode. As the incidents connected with one
who has added so much to the musical fame
of our country are of interest to all at home,
as well as abroad, we propose to give brief
biographical sketch of our townsman, to tell
what he was and what he did. Stephen @.
Foster was born on the 4th of July. 1926, the
same day on which Thomas Jefferson and
John Adams died. His father, William B.
Foster, ST., was native Of Virginia, who set-
tied in Pittsburg in the year 1890, ana en-
tered into business with Major Ehensaar Den.
ny and Anthony Beelan, ESQ. In 1911 he
laid out his farm (includiEg the ground on
which the United States Arsenal now stands
two and half miles frsm Pittsburg, and the
surrounding premises) into town, intending
to call it Fostersille. Soon afterwards, how
ever, the gallant Captain Lawrence was kill
cd, fighting his ship, the Chesapeake" anc
Mr.. Foster periodically changed the name o
his town to Lawrenceville, adopting as th,
motto on the corporation seal the dying word
Of Lawrence. "Don't give up the ship"
His first published song, called "open thy
Lattice, Love-" was issued about the year
1862, by George Willig, in Baltimore. "olt
Uncle Ned" and "Oh Susanna" were moi
long afterwards issued by W. @. Peters, in
Cincinnati. No remuneration was asked OF
thought of by Mr.. Foster, for these, though
they proved immensely profitable to the pub.
Usher. Returning to Pittsburg. Mr., Foster
produced successfully the "Lopisisna Belle
"Nelly was Lady" "Camptown Races
"My Old Kentucky Home" Masters in the
cold, cold Ground" " Nelly Bly," "oh, Boys,
carry me long" and the world-renoEned
"Old Folks at Home" together with large
number Of other songs suitable for the per
formances of the Ethiopian Minstrels. He
was induced to compose his songs at this time
in the shape of negro melodies on account Of
the wonderful interest all classes then took in
that style OF music.
For the past ten years, however, he confined
his productions to airs and words of senti-
mental Or devotional character. Among these
are "Willie, we have missed you," ELLEN
Bayne, Maggie by my side, +" Come where
my love lies dreaming" Little Ella, "Jen-
ME with the light-browA hair, "@ Willie, my
brave" Farewell, my Little Dear" "0h
Comrades, fill no glass for me-" "old Dog
Tray" NJ HE, do you love mel" Summer
Breath" "Ah, may the Red Rose live Away
"Come with thy sweet voice again." al SCI
her still in my Dreams" "Suffer little child
rem to come unto me-" Ella is an Angel
and some hundred others There has bee
recently BOOK of hymns published in Ne,
York, with beautiful airs, composed By M,
Foster expressly for each hymn.
AS we previously remarked, Mr.. Foster f
long period allowed his works to be pul
ished without thought of pecunisry compel
sation; but the demand for them became
great, and before long 20 many aattering o
ters were made to him, that he found himse
impellsd to abandon all other pursuits, an
devote himself entirely to musical composition
as profession. He entered into an arrang
ment with Firth. Bond & Co., the well-know
New York publishers, which continued man
years, and was the source of immense incon
to Mr. Foster, and also of large profts to IL
publishers. The commissions paid Mr.. +. /
them on the "old Folks at Home aloi
amounted to over $4,000. Many other of
songs were nearly as profitable, but the 30
Folks at Home" reached larger issue tn,
any song eOer published IN Ansey5eG. For Il
privilege of having his name printed on o.
edition of this song, the late =. p. Chris
paid Mr.. Foster five hundred dollars.