Muschewske, Emil 1873-1939

MUSCHEWSKE, BULOW, NEHLS, COOGAN, ROGERS

Posted By: Ken Johnson (email)
Date: 8/5/2021 at 20:31:23

from the Wednesday, 5 April 1939 issue of “The Clayton County Register” (Elkader, IA), page 5, column 4:

Emil Muschewske Died In California March 31

Emil Muschewske, a former resident of Elkader, died at his home at Los Angeles, Calif., on Friday, March 31, 1939, at the age of 65 years. He had been in poor health for some time when called by death.

Mr. Muschewske was born in Marien Werder, Prussia, Germany, on May 31, 1873. He came to America with his parents when a small child, settled at Elkport for a few years before coming to Elkader, where the deceased attended the public schools and grew to manhood.

When a young man he served an apprenticeship in learning the harnessmakers’ trade from his father, William Muschewske, deceased, who operated a harness and saddlery business in Elkader for many years.

After learning the harnessmakers trade, Mr. Muschewske took up the study of music under Prof. A. C. Nehls at Elkader, in which profession he was successful, specializing in cornet and teaching all wind and wood-wind instruments.

For 29 years he was successfully engaged as musical director at the Blacke-Foxe Military Academy (formerly the Urban Military Academy, where he also was musical director for six years) of Los Angeles, Calif.

Among Mr. Muschewske’s music students at the Blacke-Foxe Military Academy were Jackie Coogan, famous movie professional and orchestra director, and also sons of the famous Will Rogers. At the academy he was favorably known Capt. Muschewske. [See transcriber's note.]

He was connected with many musical organizations in Elkader and northeastern Iowa and Wisconsin as a musical director and otherwise, previous to going to California. He was a musician of ability.

Mr. Muschewske was married to Miss Ida Bealer [Bulow: see transcriber's note] at Mendota, Wis., in 1897. His wife preceded him in death a number of years ago.

In 1898 the family went to California to reside where he spent the remainder of his life as a music director and teacher.

He is survived by two daughters, Pearl and Thelma, of Los Angeles; two half-brothers, L. C. and H. J. Muschewske, of Guttenberg; a number of nephews and nieces and other relatives and friends. The funeral was held at Los Angeles, Calif.

Mr. Muschewske was a member of the Elks lodge.

He will be remembered by many of the older Elkader and Clayton county residents.

[EDITOR'S NOTE: His wife's maiden name was Bulow according to their transcribed county marriage record available at www.familysearch.org as well as other online sources. The wording in the paragraph that mentions Jackie Coogan is a bit confusing. It's transcribed as it appeared in the obituary.