West Liberty History 1838-1938

Source: One Hundred Years of History
* Commemorating a Century of Progress in the West Liberty Community * WEST LIBERTY, IOWA
EARLY MUSIC IN WEST LIBERTY

In all pioneer communities the singing school was the first musical effort and so in the 60's a successful singing school was carried on in West Liberty with Mr. Colcord as leader.

The real musical life of the town began with the advent of the S. B. Windus family in the early 70's. They were all musical and Mr. Windus soon organized a brass band. Among the players were Will Hudson, D. M. Johnson, Ned Hounslow, Robert and Joe Clark, Harry Shipman, and many others. West Liberty has had a band from that time to the present, reaching its peak under the leadership of Grant Nichols who had traveled with circus and entertainment bands over the country. Harry Shipman was the only member of the Windus band, which he joined when 17 years old, who played continuously for over fifty years.

In about 1874, Miss Flora Vincent came from Illinois as a piano teacher and after a few years married Isaac Nichols. Together they were prominent in all church and community music. Mrs. Nichols is now living in Seattle, and until the age of 85 was organist for the mid-week service in her church, her friends saying," No one can play our hymns as you do."

An early minstrel show figured John Hoover, Aaron Hise, Ned Hounslow and many more. John Hoover was the favorite, for he played the bones to perfection and could sing an Irish song to the queen's taste. His song was, " I met her in the garden where the praties grow." John McCormick made this song popular in his late radio concerts, more than sixty years before.

Aaron Hise was also good with an Irish or any dialect song. Ned Hounslow's melting tenor was best on the ballads. Joe Clark sang best the Stephen Foster songs with the guitar, and Harry Shipman's specialty was the negro spiritual, notably " Old Shady." These four men formed a quartet with Mrs. Clark as accompanist and director.

Early orchestra players were O. P. Hare, Chet Maxson, and Uncle Billy Chase.

West Liberty has sent out three out-standing musicians : Mrs. Della Windus Bonbright, who became a brilliant pianist, studied abroad at various times and for four years had a studio in Flint, Michigan.

Grace Knight Gibson, a daughter of Isaac C. and Rachel W. ( Gibson ) Nichols, early settlers in this community, after a long musical career, during which time she studied under world-famous artists and attained national prominence as a contralto soloist, has returned to her birthplace, West Liberty, to live.

Mrs. Gibson had been with a sister in Kansas City for several years when her voice was discovered. She was then 22. For eight years she appeared as a soloist in the Congregational church in St. Louis, maintaining a voice studie at the same time, then served 14 years at the First Church of Christ Scientist, St. Louis.

Aside from studying in New York City, she studied in Italy under Bragiotti and later she coached voice with Ricaro Bartelemeis, who had been Enrico Caruso's accompanist for 15 years.

Mr. Franklin Knight died in 1917 and in 1930 she married C. P. Gibson. Following a trip to Honolulu they have made their home here, where through her efforts she has directed the Ladies Choral club, and lends her ability to all musical events.

Robert Macdonald, a grandson of the pioneer Asa Gregg, lived here with his parents, Fred and Lillian ( Gregg ) Macdonald, until he was in high school, has won renown as a soloist and accompanist, touring this country and abroad with famous artists, such as the late Madam Schumann-Heink, besides appearing as soloist with symphony orchestras.

Robert graduated from the Davenport high school and later from the Columbia School of Music in Chicago.

During the World War he served as a submarine detector, a duty assigned him because of his keen sense of hearing.

For several years he was president and director of the Columbia School of Music in Chicago, and a member of the faculty.

Among those he has accompanied have been many Metropolitan Opera soloists, such as Martinelli and Bonelli.

He is now vice-president of the Chicago Conservitory of Music.

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