White County, Illinois - Chapter 12: Musical and Literary, 1883

Chapter 12: Musical and Literary

White County can boast of as high literary and musical talent almost or quite as much as any other county in Southern Illinois. For proof, we submit the following specimens of poetical contribu¬ tions, and account of the music composed by men now residents of this county:

The merit of a melody consists, first, in its expression of some definite state of the mind, and, secondly, in its being different from all other tunes, that is, original. Any piece of music which is not well marked is insipid; and one which is rhapsodic in its expression isunnatural. In the two characteristics just mentioned do such melodies excel as "Anld Lang Syne," "Last Rose of Summer," " Highland Mary," " Cornin' Thro' the Rye," etc., and hence their great popularity.

Now picture before your mind a law student, reading Burns on a beautiful day, while sitting on the root of a black locust tree, in Lexington, Ky. He reads the following poem :

Our thoughtful student looks at the above piece again, and que¬ ries in his mind, u Has this ever been set to any tune!" He can¬ not recollect of any. He commences humming a little air of his own composition, simply to see how it fits the words. He jots the melody down roughly on a piece of blank paper. He goes into the house and strikes up a piano accompaniment, and repeats the mel¬ ody until its pitch and proportions are well fixed. He has no thought at this time that any other soul than himself will ever hear this tune.

Soon afterward, however, he took a copy of it to the home of a young lady, who learned it and sang it before some of her friends. Soon the question was propounded to the young composer, " Why don't you have that piece of yours published?" The young man simply laughed at the idea. But the urgent appeals continued to increase until the author was persuaded to send the composition to George Willig & Co., at Philadelphia, saying that musical composi¬ tion wa6 out of his line, but that if they thought the piece worthy of publication they might publish it; be took no responsibility in thema tter. The next thing he heard from it was on the receipt of twenty-five copies of the music accompanied with a letter containing favorable comments. And it soon went on from edition to edition, to the author's great surprise, until now, who in all Christendom has not heard the soft and smooth numbers of " Flow gently, sweet Afton"?

Rev. Jonathan Edwards Spilman

the pastor of the Presbyterian church. Let ns have more par¬ ticulars concerning his life. He was born in Greenville, Muhlenburg Co., Kv., April 15, 1812, the son of Benjamin Spilman, who is noticed in Chapter II.. on the "Early Settlement" of this county. About 1818 the family moved to section 8, Herald's Pn.irie Township, about eight miles south of Carmi. In 1830 Mr. Spilman commenced studying with an older brother in Bond County, Ill.: in 1831 he entered Illinois College at Jacksonville, when Rev. Edward Beecher was President of that institution, and he and Richard Tates graduated there in the class of 1835, the first two graduates of that old institution.

Mr. Spilman then returned to Kentucky, and attended the law department of Transylvania University, and graduated. It was while a student here that he composed the famous tune above described. He then commenced the practice of the legal pro¬ fession at Nicholasville, Ky., and afterward at Covington, Ky. At the latter place he was ruling elder in the Presbyterian church, and in 1858 he was admitted into the ministry by the Presbytery and was settled over the very church where he held his member¬ ship. He remained its pastor until 1861 ; was unsettled on account of the war until 1864, when he was installed pastor of a church at Massvillo ; here he remained over twelve years, namely, until 1876. He then passed a year in this State, then more than three years in Canton, Miss.; he then, in June, 1881, returned to this State, and since October of that year he has been pastor of the Presbyterian church in Carmi - a church which his brother organized in 1827. Mr. Spilman received, in 1876, from the Central University at Richmond, Ky., the degree of D.D.

Feb. 13, 1840, Dr. Spilman married Miss Mary B. J. Menefee, daughter Major John Menefee, at Nicholasville, and they had one child, which died in infancy. Mrs. S. died Oct. 18, 1843, and April 10, 1845, near Louisville, Ky., Dr. S. married Eliza S. Taylor, a niece of General Zachary Taylor, and she died Aug. 10, 1866. By the last marriage there were ten children, of whom six are now living, namely: Charles E., residing in Carmi; William M. ; Lewis H., bookkeeper tor the Illinois Traveling-Bag Company, of Chicago; Anna L., now at Carmi; Julia Bird, now Mrs. Dewey, and residing in Orange County, Fla. ; and Clara L. Andrews, who is living in Flora, Ill.

was born in White County, near Enfield, Dec. 18, 1843. He was a son of Samuel C. and Jane (Gowdy) Orr, natives of Nashville, Tenn. They came to White County in 1821, and made this county their home till his death, which occurred March 3, 1871. His wife died just three years previous to a day. R. P. Orr commenced to do for himself at about the age of twenty, by teaching school. This he followed till the winter of 1867, when he engaged as a salesman with Fackney & Beresman, with whom he remained about one year. He then engaged in the mercantile business in company with F. A Trousdale, under the firm name of Orr & Trousdale; they were in business together about two and one half years when they dissolved by mutual consent, and Mr. Orr again engaged as salesman with James Facto ey and remained about five months, when, in November, 1871, he went to Mt. Ver¬ non, Ill., and engaged in the boot and shoe business upon his own account ; remained in business only about six months when he re¬ moved his stock to Carmi and continued the business here till the year 1873. After this date he spent about a year at Enfield. At the expiration of this time he returned to Carmi and engaged as salesman and book-keeper for Geo. S. Staley, with whom he re¬ mained about two years, when the stock was sold to Craver & Crebs, with whom Mr. Orr remained about four months in the same capacity. Oct. 1, 1878, he engaged as salesman for George Williams in the dry-goods business, with whom we find him. Mr. Orr was married Sept. 15, 1870, to Sarah P. Allen, of Jefferson County. They have no family.

Mr. Orr is both a poet and a musician, devoting his talents as such almost exclusively to the cause of Christ. Among his numerous compositions we mention the following:

1. uO, Every One, Poor, Lost, Undone, Come to the Flowing Fountain," etc. Words and music by R. Porter Orr. Published by Geo. D. Newhall & Co., Cincinnati, in 1881, in a book entitled "Great Joy;" a collection for Gospel Meetings, Prayer, Temper¬ ance, Camp-meetings and Sunday-schools.

4. "Nearer Still to Jesus." Words and music by R. Porter Orr. Published in 1878 in a Sunday-school music book entitled " Glorious Tidings," by White, Smith & Co., Boston.

6. "My Pearl in Tinted Shell." A ballad. Words by Dr. Daniel Berry, Carmi, and music by R. P. Orr. Dedicated to Dr. and Mrs. Daniel Berry. Published in sheet form by Church & Co., Cincinnati, 1874. Key, B flat.

7. "The New Church Organ." Words by Will M. Carleton. Music by R. Porter Orr. Key of G. Published in sheet form in 1874, by Church & Co., Root & Sons' Music Co., etc.

8. " That's What I've Told My Emily." Words by Dr. Daniel Berry, and given on page 501. Key of D. Published in sheet form by Church & Co., in 1876.

9. 44 Hancock for Our Guiding Star." A quartet, by R. Porter Orr, Dedicated to the Hancock clubs throughout the land. E flat Published during the last Presidential campaign, by A. R. Swan <fc Co., Cincinnati.

the popular heart. We next give a few characteristic selections from his poetic compositions, all of which breathe the most fervent devotion.

Dr. Daniel P. Berry

This gentleman is probably better versed in English literature than any other man in White County, and is therefore able to ex¬ hibit the beauties and power of the English language by the use of it. At present he is a leading druggist and dealer in stationery, paints, oils and glassware. He is a native of England and was born in the town of Wortley, Yorkshire, May 6, 1837. His parents were William and Elizabeth (Naylor) Berry. His father was a weaver by trade. When five years of age he came with his parents to America. His father located in Wrentham, Mass., a short time, then moved to Dracut, Mass., where he worked at his trade. From there he moved to Danvers, Mass., where he died in 1846. Daniel was but ten years old. He went to live with his uncle for one year; then worked at the carriage-maker's trade nntil fourteen, when he began to learn the shoemaker's trade; followed this two years, then began to work for himself. In one year he saved enough money to attend the New Hampshire Conference College, at what is now Tilton, Mass. Among his classmates were Senator H. W. Blair and Rev. Luther T. Townsend, D. D. Mr. Berry fit¬ ted himself for Dartmouth College, but was persuaded to teach school in Acworth, Mass. ; taught one term, then attended the New Eugland Normal Institute, at Lancaster, Mass., one term. Then, in 1856, came West to Illinois, and located in Lawrence County. He taught school in Lawrence and Wabash counties two years, then came to White County and taught school in Grayville and Burnt Prairie, nntil 1860. He taught school and studied medicine until 1861, when he began to study with Dr. Asher Goslan, in Carmi. In September, 1861, he and Dr. Goslan raised Company H, Forty-eighth Illinois Infantry. He then began studying with Dr. E. L. Stuart, in Carmi, until August, 1862, when he enlisted as Assistant Surgeon in the Eighty-seventh Regiment, under Dr. E. L. Stuart, Major Surgeon. At this time Dr. Berry had never attended medical lectures, but was examined by the State Board of Medical Examiners, who appointed him Second Assistant Sur¬ geon of the Eighty-seventh Illinois Infantry, and he was commis¬ sioned as 6uch by Governor Tates, and was afterward promoted and commissioned First Assistant Surgeon. At the close of the war Dr. Berry attended the Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, graduating in 1866. He then returned to Carmi, Ill., and formed a partnership with Dr. E. L. Stuart, and practiced medicine with him until 1867. He then formed a partnership with Dr. George Darrah, and they opened a drug store. Dr. Berry purchased his partner's interest in 1872, establishing his present business. Dr. Berry married Miss Mary A. Crebs, Dec. 27, 1862. She was bom in White County, and is a daughter of Berry and Lucy (Wilson) Crebs. Dr. and Mrs. Berry have had seven children, four living - Alice M., Daniel G., AnnaC., Sarah E. Dr. Berry is a member of the Presbyterian church. He is a Mason and member of Carmi Lodge, A. F. & A. M., No. 272; A. O. U. W., Carmi Lodge. In poli¬ tics, a Democrat; was left an orphan at the early age of ten, and has made himself all he is. It was through his influence that the Normal School was built in Carmi.

Queen Of May Festival Opening Address

Unbroken, save by miles of happy green Which light the face of Autumn a9 she lies In my cold lap reposing. Here I bring The token that she brings me when she dies,

He smiled upon them, and so gently led Their modest beauties to the sunlight warm That ere you thought to seek their cherished face Lo ! they were smiling through the tender grass.

Hi8Toby Of White County Bono Of The Star Flower

Let Jealousy and Strife be banished long From all the hearts that swell this joyous throng ; Let Love and Peace in every bosom reign Till sprightly May shall come with joys again.