Smyrna times. [volume] (Smyrna, Del.) 1854-1987, 1906-02-07
HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE
OLD WHITE ROSE MINSTRELS
CONTINUED FROM FIRST PAGE.

SAID, and he would not only explain
In way the young mind could under
stand, but made the impression that it
was pleasure to do so. What a bless
ing his noble life was to the town that
had the honor of claiming him. If
every human being whom he aided
and encouraged while he lived could
place blossom on his grave he would
slumber beneath pyramid of flowers.
Prof. Groves also lead these delightful
song services, and Mrs. Groves as
sisted him at the organ. At the time
we did not appreciate the sacrifices
they must have made to assist us, but
did later. That school room is the
most sacred spot on earth to many of
us, as it was there our beloved teach
ers taught us how to live so that we
could be good citizens. To us she was
then and is now the ideal christian
woman, and her beautiful life spent in
helping others, has been the sweetest
blessing of our lives.
Methodist, Episcopal and Presbyterian Choirs.
Some of the members of our Band
were members of the church choirs,
and we're benefited by them. The
Hon. John H. Hoffecker and Prof.
Groves were leaders of the Methodist
Choir, Mrs. Groves and Miss Helen
Hoffecker being organists. The mem
bers at that time were: Mrs. Smithers,
Miss Elva Carrow, Miss Annie Waters,
Miss Hanna VanGasken, Miss Mollie
Thompson, Miss Lizzie Mcdowell,
Miss Alice Hoffecker, Miss Lizzie
Reynolds, Miss Sallie Mcdowell, Miss
Annie Baggs, William H. Baggs,
James d. Wilds, Walter o. Hoffecker,
John A. Hoffecker. The Episcopal choir
was under the leadership of William
Polk Cummins, Miss Elva Davis, or
ganist. The members were Miss Ella
Brinton, Miss Brinton, Miss Susie
Wright, Miss Julia Wright, Miss
Emma Leinberger, Miss Leinberger,
Joseph Wright, Edgar Wright, Jacob
Leinberger, Jr., Tom Start. The
Presbyterian Church was then located
on Mt. Vernon Street. The leader OF
the choir was Mrs. F. F. Evans.
Members of the Old Band Separate.
For number of years the Band
hourished, but as the years came the
boys were hurried on to manhood, anc
as the home ''nest" was not larg,
enough for all, some went out in the
world. Those remaining continued
members until business cares de
handed their attention, and, one b!
one, they resigned, their places beins
taken by younger crowd. Will
Herrick was one of the first t,
leave town. He moved to Chester
Pa. Charles Henderson, Harry Scout
and George Raymond are now Twin.
in Wilmington. Jack Weldon is a cit
zen of Brooklyn and is engaged in th'
insurance business; Glenn Spruanc
took Horace Greeley's advice ant
event west, Heisliving at Indianapo
lis. Tom Start is living in New York an,
is employed in the Methodist Bool
Concern, the publishing house of tn
M. E. Church Harry Jefferson wen
to the sunny South and is living il
Memphis. Charles Barnes is highl.
. esteemed citizen of Chester, Pa
Fletcher Cooper lives in Brooklyn an
is city editor of the New York World
George Carter is also in the Metropolis
and is member of the New Yor
"Press" staff, Harry Hill and Oil
Hough reside in Philadelphia. Ere
Carter lives in Wilmington, Del. Wi
Carter is employed on the Ever
Evening"" in Wilmington. Mauric
Manning, Wilmington, Del. Wi
, Stevenson is engaged In business i
: his native town. Joseph Wright is
:. contractor and builder in Smyrns
He has erected many of the beautifl
: residences that add to the beauty
his home town. Joseph e. Carter reside
: in Smyrna and has become one of I'll
y best known fruit culturists in til
State He is a prominent member
d the Delaware Grange, aud has res
several instructive papers at meeting
held by this organization. j. Edwar
d Hoffecker in early manhood moved
L Baltimore, where for a number
years he was tenor soloist in prom
nent churches. He returned to b
native town and for some years WI
le leader of the Presby choir. E
!" is now a member of the Method
ar choir. Had Ned chosen music as
is profession, there is little doubt b
IS he would have become one of the mo
70 popular tenor soloists of the da
as Walter Massey resides near Smyri
b on one of the finest fruit farms in Il
lg State. He has won an excellent rep
tation as a choice fruit culturis
"Doc" is as enthusiastic over music