Scandinavian American. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1945-1958, 1947-11-01


family and distinct influence on
Stephen Foster.
Misfortunes tend to unite fam
lilies more closely. The loss Of
Charlotte, and her infant broth
ers and sister, made the parents
take keener interest in the re.
naming members of their family
This bond of affection continued
down through Sc cond cousins
twice removed. This picture OF
family life furnishes us a better
background of the main charac-
ter, Stephen Foster
Stephen Foster was born amid
the celebration o f independence
Day in 1926. According to some
relatives, he was destined to be
named Jefferson or Adams Eliza,
however, named him for the son
of one of her childhood friends.
Letters suggest tn a t "Stephy'
was not altogether well as a
baby, although he was the OBJ
ject of much attention.
There has long been a contro-
pick out harmonies on Ann Eliza
guitar. His mother mentioned
Stephens music to Henry in a
letter. She said he used to march
around with drum and sing
AUD Lang Syne" and that there
still remains something perfectly
original about him."
While in a music store one day,
seven year old Stephen picked
up a flageolet from the counter,
and without previous knowledge
of the instrument, was playing
Hail Columbia" in a few minutes.
Later he became a skillful flutist.
When he was seven or eight,
Stephen, with Dunning and Nor
rison, w "a attending t he Allie
ghany Academy, founded by Rev.
erend Joseph Stockton. According
to Morrison, the school was a
model institution for the educa-
ton of youth" He and Stephen
also received instruction from a
Mr.. Todd, who commented that
Stephen was the m o It perfect
gentleman ''he had ever had for
a pupil"
At fifteen Stephen was study
ing with a Mr.. Moody and de-
voted h s leisure hours to his
music, ''for which he possesses a
versy concerning the location of
the White Cottage, Stephens
birthplace Some claim the site
to be a lot near a fork of the
road in Lawrenceville, while 9th
ers are just as certain that it is
a few blocks away. On a plan of
the town made by William Fos- |
ter, Sr., his name appears below
the house on the second lot men,
toned. There is a memorial house
standing there today. Henry Ford
has bought the other house, on
the lot at the forks, and moved I
it to Greenfield Village, where III
now stands as stephen Fosters
The evidence offered
by letters and deeds seems to
point conclusively to the present
memorial home in Pittsburgh as
the true birthplace.
Stephens first schooling came
when he was sent to an infant
school, conducted by Mrs. Harvey
and her daughter This five year
Did pupil proved to be impatient,
and at times violently objected
to school. Ann Eliza helped Steph-
an and other children by putting
hem through the usual exercises
When Stephen was two, Morri-
son tells of how Stephen liked to
strange talent as his father
said.
The boys in Stephens neighbor-
hood formed an amateur 'Thes-
oian Society" "Stephy' was the
smallest member, but achieved
highest popularity through h s
local renditions of Zip Coon" and
Jim Crow" i
Since 1926 the family had
moved four times, always around
pittsburgh. and when Stephen was
tx, he had also visited Cincinnati
md Louisville. This Southern trip