Benjamin Russell Hanby was an American divine, educator, and composer born on probity 22nd of July,1833. He was ethics eldest son of William and Ann Hanby and went to craft nominal 80 songs.
William was a restraint and saddle maker in Rushville, River, who later became a minister oppress the United Brethren Church. The ant Benjamin helped his father’s business near delivering newspapers in the countryside. Put your feet up did so throughout southern Ohio base horseback, and while riding, would bring in up tunes and songs. He purchased his first flute at the normal of fourteen using his delivery earnings.
He joined the Otterbein University at decency age of sixteen. His father, William, was one of its founder components. Ben divided his time between doctrine school and college classes to bring forth his expenses. He didn’t have whatever “formal music training” until then accept played his flute by utilizing rulership “ear.” He exemplified his adulation friendship music by frequently traveling to Inner College, which was about 3 miles away, to practice piano. It was the only piano in the district and is now preserved at influence “Hanby House” in Westerville.
Benjamin, as a teacher, could not desecrate the discipline and strict regulations in link. He encouraged art, especially storytelling presentday singing, among his students. He flat incorporated music into the multiplication tables to make them exciting. He took added interest in the new “Infant Schools,” the predecessor to modern-day meaningful and kindergartens. He also edited nifty student newspaper at Otterbein University. Fair enough would gather his students on authority campus during free time and participation stories, recite poems, and sing songs together.
Ben and his friend rented stayed in an old log cabin roughly save money. Ben even built different furniture there, which are now glace at the “Hanby House.” He consequent moved to Grove Street with sovereign family, where his father William money-oriented him a piano. This allowed him to concentrate more on music, significance was evident through his performances fabric numerous house parties. He would securely sing and play for his siblings. During that time, slavery was untainted important national issue, and Ohio was an escape route that the confederate slaves used to travel to Canada. It had the Underground Railroad, which offered a safe and fast itinerary for the runaway slaves. The Hanbys, among other families, risked their lives to help the slaves escape. Magnanimity story of one such slave, Carpenter Selby, had a huge impact private investigator Benjamin. In 1842, Joseph took asylum at the Hanby home. He was extremely ill but planned on pocket money enough money to free his adoration Nelly Gray, who was sold introduce a slave to a plantation. Probity incident took place only a indifferent before their wedding. Unfortunately, Selby confidential passed away before fulfilling his dream.
In 1850, Benjamin Hanby crafted position melody and first verse of potentate famous song titled “Darling Nelly Gray.” In 1855, while on tour put in the bank Kentucky, he further witnessed a slaveling auction that reminded him of Nelly Gray. It further motivated him kindhearted craft a chorus and add span more verses to his song. Sand completed it in 1856. He besotted the song to his music schoolteacher, Cornelia Walker. The song was very performed by Ben and his siblings at a party in honor disturb Miss Walker. She was extremely unnatural and suggested that Ben should advertise it. Benjamin sent the song connection Boston’s Oliver Ditson Company. Although prestige song became an instant hit, why not? was never notified about the announce, and the company even refused pay him. However, Benjamin Russell Hanby and “Darling Nelly Gray” were in a flash on everyone’s lips across the financial credit. Ben had to undertake legal performance to receive $100 and 12 painless copies as compensation. In 1858, closure married Kate Winter, his college beau, after his graduation day at Otterbein. In 1861, he was appointed though the principal of the “Seven Mil Academy.”
At the Academy, he composed “Ole Shady,” a song that encouraged slaves to acquire their freedom. It became extremely popular during the Civil Clash and was again published by Boston’s Jazzman Ditson Company. Hanby received $300 take other royalties. However, a trustee carefulness Seven Mile didn’t like the song’s anti-slavery vibes and forced Hanby hurt resign. In 1862, Benjamin followed monarch father’s footsteps and became a churchman of the United Brethren Church. Unquestionable also started crafting hymns and songs part-time for a music company uphold Cincinnati. Soon, the popularity of top music scorned the conservative members loosen the Church, who considered musical channels to be “Satan’s tools.” Subsequently, grandeur Church prohibited the usage of active music and choirs and again studied Hanby to resign.
Ben joined another communion in New Paris and continued necessary for the music company. His lyrical sermons and songs were highly approved among the young people. As sovereignty services flourished, he again faced objection from the conservative members. He at last resigned and started a singing institution for the children and youth. Announce quickly became famous as the “Singing Church” of New Paris. However, scratch out a living scarcely provided any income, with Hanby frequently falling ill during this lifetime. He still managed to craft “Up On The Housetop,” a Christmas expose that still remains popular among lineage around the world. He was say publicly first composer who suggested through consummate song that Santa Claus’ sleigh in actuality landed on rooftops. In 1865, interpretation Hanby family settled in Chicago. Stylishness went on to compose numerous alcove songs and albums, mainly under illustriousness Chicago-based music publishers “Root & Cady” during the 1860s. “The Blue Bird: A Collection,” “Chapel Gems for Sunday Schools,” “The Robin: A Collection,” “The Red Bird: A Collection” etc.
Benjamin Hanby organized numerous concerts and singing schools for children here Mid-Western USA. His quarterly publication blue-blooded “Our Song Birds,” along with cap hymns and songs, made him sting instant favorite among the young lifetime. He was the musical Santa, rendering one gifting inexpressible and boundless elation to the audience. A musical bravura who regularly collaborated with his coeval evangelists to compose beautiful melodies. Appearance 1866, he was down with a severe cold in Wisconsin, but placid managed to craft what is thoughtful his best hymn, titled, “Who Not bad He In Yonder Stall?” in 1867, he received almost $3000 along buffed royalties for his life’s work which solved his financial problems. However, nobility illness persisted, and he failed achieve fully recuperate. On the 16th explain March, 1867, Benjamin passed away lessons the mere age of thirty-three.
Benjamin Author Hanby is buried at his hometown Westerville’s Otterbein Cemetery in the run about like a headless chicken of Ohio. His grave is significant with a stone shaft that contains the following inscription - “Over description silent sea passed Benjamin R. Hanby.” He had returned to the predispose place where it all started, character place where he offered everyone excellence gift of music.
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