Prof. Grenville D. Wilson

THE CLOSE OF A VALUED LIFE ON MONDAY NIGHT. Attacked by Neuralgia of the Heart, He Passed Away Quickly and Calmly--A Musician of Note and a Man Much Beloved by Every One. Prof. Grenville D. Wilson died att his home in South Nyack Monday night, and with the close of his life passes away one of the foremost musicians and one of the noblest types of manhood in this place or vicinity. Prof. Wilson spent the evening at his home, as was his wont, and at a late hour complained of feeling ill. He took a bath at about eleven o'clock, thinking that he might feel better, but he grew so much worse that Dr. Couch, his attending physician for twenty-three years, was summoned. The doctor went down promptly, but when he reached the Professor's bedside. he had breathed his last. Grenville D. Wilson was born at Plymouth, Conn., on Jan. 20th, 1833, of musical parents from whom he inherited his taste for all that was rich and sweet in melody. His father, Major S. Wilson, was for several years a member of the Massachusetts Legislature, and Grenville's early days were spent at Lenox. He first studied music under his mother, and developed under the tenderest parental instruction the gifts which God had given him. He afterward became an instructor and acquired a wide reputation in high musical circles. He taught at Cornwall, Connecticut, and afterward was for a long time teacher of music in Temple Grove Seminary, Saratoga, and in Hoston. Prof. Wilson was instructor of Madame Albani, the well-known vocalist, at Saratoga. and was intimately associated with a number of the foremost musicians of his time. He spent several Summers with Gottschalk, at Saratoga, and was a very warm friend of the late . Leopold Damrosch, leader of the New York Oratorio Society. As a composer of music Prof. Wilson ranked high, his compositions reaching almost three-hundred in number. One of the best known of them all is the "Shepherd Boy," which has been played far and wide. He was also a very intimate friend of Carl Zerrahn, the leader of music in Boston. Prof. Wilson married Miss Josephine M. Emery, of Albany, on August 18, 1869, and their wedded life has been an ideal one. Mrs. Wilson is a cultured vocalist, and she and her husband had all the years of their happy union beautified with music in its most attractive forms. In 1872 Prof, and Mrs. Wilson came to Nyack, which they made their permanent home. They soon gained a large circle of friends here, and at once endeavored to work for the musical interests of this town. Prof. Wilson organized the Symphony Society, which gave its first public concert to a large and refined audience, in the Tappan Zee Hotel. About eighteen years ago he established the NyacK Choral Society, which, through his zeal and hard work as Conductor, has had a very successful career. Through his acquaintance with leading musicians, Prof. Wilson was able to secure for his concerts some of the most popular vocalists In New York City, so that Nyack people were favored with music surpassing in character that of almost any other place along the Hudson River. Prof. Wilson had many pupils in music in Nyack and vicinity, besides a good-sized class in New York City. He was a thorough, painstaking teacher, and his pupils advanced steadily and acquired much proficiency under his instruction. He was a good organizer and an admirable leader. A tew years ago, when Dr. Damrosch gave his great May Music Festival in the Seventh Regiment Armory, New York City, Nyack, through the efforts and training of Prof. Wilson, furnished seventy voices in the grand chorus. This was considered a high honor for our town, as Nyack was selected from among four or live much larger places to assist in the Festival. Prof. Wilson was for several years President of the Agassiz Society, a Director of the Nyack Library and President of the Library Board of Trustees, He had been a Trustee of South Nyack, and was deeply interested in improvements of every kind. He was also a member of the New York State Music Teachers' Association. He was of a cheerful disposition, looked on the best side of things, and Inspired others with his own hopefulness. He had a cheery word for all, and his genial presence and kindly words will be missed. A man whose life was governed by highest principles of honor, Prof. Wilson's influence was always exerted for good. He sought to raise mankind to a higher plane, as he had raised the standard of music in this locality, and never
spoke ill to the injury of any one. Prof. Wilson is survived by his wife, to whom expressions of warmest sympathy are extended by many friends. This entire community will long feel the loss of Prof. Wilson. Funeral services were held at the house, on Thursday, at 3:15 p. m.