French, Ruth (Miss) 1891-1956

FRENCH

Posted By: Paul Van Dyke--Volunteer
Date: 12/16/2016 at 21:33:08

Source: Hawarden Independent (4-19-1956)

Born: November 25, 1891
Died: April 18, 1956

Miss Ruth French, well known music instructor, composer and author, died yesterday morning (Wednesday) at the Hawarden Hospital.

The headline above and the following article, which were written earlier this week, were intended as a tribute to Miss French not only because she has been selected to received the B.P.W. award but also because of her many achievements.

Except for the date of her birth, which was November 25, 1892, all available information about this exception Hawarden resident in included in the previously written article which is present here without change.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Miss Ruth French, music teacher here for many years, was unanimously chosen to be the recipient of the annual B.P.W. merit award given by the Hawarden Business and Professional Women’s Club. Last year she tied with William Tauz and Jerry Wood, Cub Scout and Roy scout leaders, but graciously withdrew her name at that time.

Miss French has again been invited to attend the annual meeting and luncheon of the Women of Achievement Club sponsored by the Sioux City Journal. She was elected to this club in 1947 at which time she was interviewed by Editha K. Webster, society editor of the Sioux City papers. Since then she has attended each annual meeting.

As an active member of the Federate Women’s Club, Miss French served a two year term as county president and is now the president of the Hawarden Women’s Club.

Ruth Eva French was born on a farm south of Ireton, a daughter of Ephrian and Evalina French. There she attended a rural grade school and later with her parents moved to Sioux City where she graduated from Central School. At this time she mourned the loss of her father and she became her mother’s cherished companion; however, she did not stay at home but continued with her education. Later, when her mother moved to Hawarden, she was to be her mother’s diligent associate. She was a devoted daughter and not only took wonderful care of her mother but at the same time gave private lessons to numerous pupils.

Miss French was a graduate of Morningside College where she majored in Greek along with music. She was tutored by James Reistrum, a musician of some repute at the college from which she received her BA degree.

She continued her career in music by spending 4 years studying at the New England Conservatory of Music at Boston. She spent a year at Northwestern College, Evanston, Illinois, from where she received her Masters Degree. There she studied composition under Eliner Oldeberg and orchestration including “Brocade Slippers” and “Puppets Dance Polka.”

She was a member of the official board of the Methodist Church with which she is affiliated here. She has sung in the church choir the past ten years and often acted as organist. At one time she taught Sunday School at the church.

Monday and Tuesday of this week twenty of Miss French’s pupils were entered in the National Auditions at Sioux City with headquarters at Austin, Texas. The judge at the auditions was much impressed with the way her pupils had been taught and gave enthusiastic approval of the technique. At the present time, Miss French has between 50 and 60 pupils.

Miss French is ill at the Hawarden Hospital and her greatness is evidenced by the number of visitors she has had from Columbia, Missouri, Rapid City, South Dakota, Sioux City, Lincoln, Nebraska and Otego, New York.