Item
Recalls Early
Norfolk Musician
In the items of 75 years
ago in the Reformer of 16 March, appeared an item concerning an
"exhibition" at S.S. 11 Charlotteville, when the pupils
of James McMichael sang.
It proved of special
interest to relatives in Waterford who remember that as a young
man Mr. McMichael lived at Boston and held singing schools
throughout the county, travelling [sic] on foot and
carrying his small meldeon on his back.
Later he went to Boston,
Mass., where he attended the Conservatory of Music and became so
proficient that on his return he was appointed first organist of
Cooke's Presbyterian Church, Toronto, and was one of that city's
prominent musicians.
Mr. McMichael was a
grandson of pioneer James McMichael who came from Pennsylvania
early in the last century and purchased the land north of
Waterford now operated by his great-grandsons, Messrs. Joseph and
Leamon McMichael. He left nine sons, Richard being the father of
James, the musician.
Mrs. Bert Woodley and Mrs.
O. H. Duncombe of Waterford are nieces. Mrs. A. G. Rose of Simcoe,
now 61 years old, as a young girl, attended Mr. McMichael's
singing school.
It is also interesting
that Mrs. Rose and "Maggie's" sister, now Mrs. Padgham
of New York State, sand the song, "When You and I Were Young,
Maggie," the first time it was ever performed.
