Surviving members of Jack Wainwright’s early FHS band
Thursday, July 14, 1988

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Pix #1 - Charles Wagner

Pix #2 - James Carter

Pix #3 - Ralph Sackett

Pix #4 - Walter Bristow

Pix #5 - Charles Hunt

Pix #6 - Orrin Carroll

Pix #7 - Henry Spooner

Pix #8 - Lyndon Abbott

Pix #9 - Norman Muench

Pix #10 - George Green

(Author’s Note: Today’s article is the last in the four part series about instrumental music at Fostoria High School during the Jack Wainwright years.

From reports reaching me, this series had been enjoyed and appreciated. I’m glad Mrs. Jack Wainwright is still living, to read again those memorable years in which she and Jack were involved.

Ernie Duffield, Fostoria’s best know instrumental musician, expressed appreciation for the series and said many others had voiced the same opinions.

I am taking this opportunity to thank all who contributed in any way, including Mrs. Jack Wainwright.

I never did learn who brought the photograph to The Review Times of the Wainwright Band, take in Chicago, when they won the First Annual School Band Contest in 1923. To whoever it was I say thank you.

The photo brought to The Review Times was identical to the one used in the February issue of Music Educators Journal, a copy of which was later sent me by its publisher. That publication did an excellent job of reviewing “Music in Our Schools...Their First 150 Years”)

Wainwright’s musicians alive

How to end a series of articles about Jack Wainwright and his influence on the many student s he taught to play a variety of band instrument s wasn’t easy for this author.

Finally, it seemed to be significant to illustrate and write about those early band musicians still living and were pioneers back them.

the photos with today’s article are the band member that were in the band in 1923, when they won the first Nation Contest in Chicago, and are still living.

there may be other survivors, if we knew where to reach them by mail. Any readers who have names and addresses for otherwise should writhe to me.

quite likely there are others who played in the band later, either under Wainwright, or others who followed him. But for this series of articles, we chose to accent on the pioneers.

If you wish to write

Other than the photos above, identified with names, here are their address, in the event that any readers may wish to write to them

Abbott: 1956 Burbank Drive, Dayton. Oh 45406.

Bristow: 825 E. Kansas St., Peoria, Ill. 61603.

Green: 5100 Auckland Ave., No. Hollywood, Calif. 91601

Carter: 525 Summit St., Fostoria, Oh. 44830.

Carrell: Box 68, Defiance St., Milton Center, Oh. 43541.

Fraver: 3990 River Lane, Cleveland, Oh. 44116.

Hunt: 203 Laurel Rd., Chagrin Falls, Oh 44002

Leigengood: 4896 Almont, Columbus, Oh. 43229.

Muench: 4233 Rose Garden Dr., Toledo, Oh. 43623.

Sackett: 733 N. Main St., Fostoria, Oh. 44830.

Spooner: 519 Glenview Dr., Fostoria, Oh. 44830.

Wagner: 1521 N. Countyline, Fostoria, Oh. 44830.

Mrs. Jack Wainwright; R.R. 1, Walcotteville, Ind. 46795.

George Green looks back

Out of the twelve living members of Jack Wainwright’s band of the early days it was possible to verify, George Green was the only one to contribute a written history of his activities up to the time of his retirement. Here it is, just as he wrote it.

“Jack Wainwright was surely the greatest director I have ever played under. He had a stick that told the band exactly where the wanted the band to be, and he made it easy to follow.

That in my opinion made FHS National Champions. I could not say the same of the many of my directors, and some of them were very good.”

Green played with many of the best bands

“I was very lucky. Before graduating from FHS, Jack Rosevear, a very ;fine piano player came to Fostoria to get a tuba player for a dance band he was organizing to play for the summer. That winter I played at the Green Mill, a dance hall in Toledo, and at the same time went to Toledo U. Then to Detroit to play with Jean Goldtsette;s Orange Blossom orchestra that later became the Casa Lama Orchestra.

“I played with many different dance bands a would up in New York city and played at Monte Carlo Night Club, with the Virginians.

“Then, the big name bands were Irving Aaronson’s commanders. We recorded Bing Crosby’s `Love in Bloom.’

“Back to New York and I joined Freddy Martin’s dance band, Chicago, the Aragon Ballroom with Freddy, in and out of Aragon to Waldorf Astoria for six months and then the coconut Grove Ambassador Hotel for six years.”

Settled down in N. Hollywood

“We bought a house at 5100 Auckland Ave. in 1941, the first home we ever had. Still at the same place.

“Then played a lot of shows, South Pacific was first one all different leaders. Then played with spike J0nes, next Ruse Morgan, and then to Fox, M.G.M., Golden Motion Picture Studios as a recording till I retired around 15 years ago.”

Recalls much from FHS days

“Joe Lopez was my teacher for four years at FHS, one half hour lesson each school day.

“Jack Wainwright would take me in the street car to Risingsun to rehearsal with that band. they didn’t have a tuba player. Also tool street car to Fremont to play with band there.

“I also played in the Junior and Senior Bands at FHS, and in the band concerts. I had plenty of practice. I had no idea playing the tube would be a career for me.”

admits much to be thankful

“Thanks to Jack Wainwright and Joe Lopez, the Golden Years are very good to me. I was 82 last month and next month I will be married 60 years to the same girl. Thank God.

“I have been riding motorcycles since 1936, no accidents. How lucky can one get. Everyone but me thought I should stop riding motorcycles when I was 81 years old. I did it to please my favorite wife.

“P.S. I am a very wealthy person. I have one daughter and six grandchildren. Nuf Sed.” (George E. Green)

Official musicians for ONG

since putting together today’s article, I had a telephone call from John Harrington, New Riegel. During our conversation, he told me of another activity in which Wainwright’s FHS band was involved after; they won the National championship.. Namely being the official 107th Cavalry band for the Ohio National Guard, stationed at Port Clinton. Harriman had no details about that activity. So hat band activity will have to be held over for further investigation and publication at a later date.

Harriman told me the played in he Wainwright Band, but not in the National Guard Unit, so could not enlighten me about it. More about it when I get back to writing later.

Please tell me

some weeks ago, someone brought to The Re3view Times an original print of the Fostoria High School Band of 19234, photographed in Chicago in 1923, when Jack Wainwright and that band won the National championship.

the print was handed to one of the editors with the words, “Perhaps Paul Krupp can use this in his column,” without leaving the name of the donor. I have never learned who donated the photo.

However, at that very time I was seeking that very photo for an article.

Thank you “mystery donor”. I’d like to know who you are.

Heed God’s Word

Church triumphant at end of the age

the headline, above, was used on the front cover of Nate Krupp’s latest book, now available, The author is the son of Mrs. and Mrs. Paul Krupp[, N. Main. St.

The following exert from a promotional bulletin about the book may stir and excite readers to get a copy:

“This writer believer that the Church of the Living god will increasingly become the greatest force on earth. It will do great spiritual exploits; be reckoned with, and listened to, by world leaders; and change the course of history. the greatest chapters are yet to be written. They will be days of revival, Restoration, unity, world evangelization, and persecution. That is what the book is all about.

“I can see it all now. there will soon be a might, world-wide, end-time revival, when God will pour out His spirit on all mankind (every person) bringing new life, purity and power to His Church; and conviction of sin upon the lost.

“The Gospel will betaken to every person on earth and multitudes will turn to the Lord Jesus Christ. But all of this will occur in the context of growing persecution.. What a glorious time it will be.”