Kingsley Cornet Band

In her book Kingsley's Early Life, Marion Stearns Benning makes reference to the Kingsley Band.

"Of course, Kingsley boasted a fine band in those days. Your grandmother thought that she had a picture of them but she can't seem to find it." "Were you in it, Grandpa?" "No, I wasn't on hand when they passed out the musical talent, I'm afraid, but we did have some good musicians--back as early as 1904 there was Will Adams who was station agent then, George Finn, Tabor Capron, a couple of the Farley boys, Phil, who played the snare drum, and one of his brothers, can't seem to think which one at the moment, the Whitman family--Frank, the big bass drum, Ralph, his cornet and Ren, slide trombone, Westley Sloat, Williston Oakley, and there were more I'm sure of that. I just don't recall. These men were generous with their time and talent, giving concerts on all special occasions when asked. They really "made the welkin ring," as the poet said. I understand the Whitman boys sort of kept in practice after they grew up and lived in the city--Ralph in his church orchestra in Scranton, and Ren in the Shrine Band in Detroit. He really saw a lot of this country on tour with this band, which must have been one of the leading organizations of its kind."

Those identified in the photograph are: Front row, left to right, Philip Farley, Harry Butler, Perry Wilmarth, unidentified, unidentified, Fred Sheeles, unidentified. Middle row: Leander Bennett, David Fahry, Jessie Wilmarth, Ralph Whitman. Back row; Mr. Sutton, director from Binghamton, Nelson Tiffany, Wesley Sloat, Will Adams, Jimmy Caddington, Ren Whitman and George Finn.

Introduction | Gay's West Auburn Band | Brooklyn's Prize Band | Hamlin E. Cogswell | Great Bend Cornet Band | Harford Bands | Harford Soldiers' Orphan School | Kingsley Cornet Band | Canawacta Band | Lawsville Cornet Band | Gibson Cornet Band | The South Gibson Band | Montrose Band | Taylor's Band | The New Milford Cornet Band | Rush Cornet Band | Springville Silver Cornet Band | Erie Band Of Susquehanna

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