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WILLIAM FLUDE. There is no more prominent figure in the
educational field of music than the gentleman of whom we now
write. He is a native of Leicestershire, England, born January
20, 1818. The educational advantages of our subject were limited
to the common district schools His parents were poor and unable
to offer him the opportunities of obtaining a thorough literary
education. He developed a fondness for music early in life, and
at the age of ten years began taking private instructions in the
“art divine.” His progress was rapid, and he soon began taking
instructions, vocal and instrumental, from John Hullah, an
English composer of considerable note. He received a certificate
from this noted professor as a testimonial of the advancement he
had made. At the age of sixteen young Flude began teaching music
himself. He had a small room in his modest home where he gave
instructions to his pupils, and in this way obtained means
wherewith to prosecute his own studies. At the age of
nineteen he accepted a position as organist in Rev. John
Bickersteth’s church, which he filled to the entire satisfaction
of the noted divine and his congregation for five years. In 1842
he was called to preside at the organ in the famous Lutterworth
church, where the venerable John Wycliff preached his powerful
sermons on reform. in the fourteenth century. He filled this
honorable position so acceptably that he was retained for
fifteen years. In the mean time he gave instructions in music to
a large number of pupils and established quite a reputation as a
successful teacher.
In 1857 Professor Flude
determined to sail for America and cast his fortunes in the new
world. He arrived at Castle Garden, New York city, in May of.
that year, and proceeded as far west as Iowa. He soon
established a reputation as a competent instructor in music, and
in a short time was engaged as professor of music in the Bowen
Collegiate Institute, located at Hopkinton, Delaware county,
Iowa. The name of this popular institution has since been
changed to Lenox College, and Professor Flude is still principal
of the musical department. In 1868 the financial affairs of the
college were not in a satisfactory condition, and the board of
trustees at their annual session was puzzled to know what to do
to remedy the matter. Professor Flude came forward with a
proposition, at which time an endowment fund of $10,000 was
provided for and other changes made that relieved the
institution from its financial embarrassment. The board
unanimously voted to accept the proposition, and at once made
Professor Flude the financial manager of the college, a position
he has ably filled ever since. The proposed endowment fund was
raised, and the college has prospered financially ever since.
Professor Flude married
October, 1850, taking for a life companion Miss Louisa Elton, a
native of England, by whom he had two children, viz.: Louisa E.,
now wife of D. N. Howe, of Manchester, and a successful teacher
of music, and C. W., a successful hardware dealer in Onawa,
Iowa. Mrs. Flude died in 1861, and he contracted a second
marriage with Miss Sarah E. Crosby, a native of Illinois. Two
children were born to this union: Emma E. (deceased) and Alfred
L., editor and publisher of the Springville New Era, at
Springville, Iowa.
Professor Flude and his
estimable wife are zealous members of the Presbyterian church
and are recognized pillars of that denomination. Professor Flude
is truly a self-made man, who, through much study and patient
labor has developed his powers and attained the high degree of
honor and esteem which he now holds in the world of music. In
disposition he is kind, charitable and generous, and has formed
many lasting friendships wherever he has lived. |
