Getting to Know Professor J.D. Luse

Image Credit: FamilySearch.org

Jesse Dial Luse is the younger man at the far right in the picture above. This family photograph shows the nine children of Jesse and Sylphina Luse. Often known by his initials J.D., Jesse D. Luse was born in Cuyahoga County in 1847.

In the very late 1800s and early 1900s, J.D. Luse was the Supervisor of Music for Sandusky Schools. During the homecoming parade for Spanish American War soldiers in 1898, “Professor Luse” arranged for a chorus of one thousand individuals to sing patriotic songs.

J.D. Luse was the author of several music books. One of his series was known as the Wreath Music Course. The books were used widely throughout Ohio and beyond. In the book The Royal Wreath of Song, there were several graded lessons in music for use with students in every grade.

Also in the book were: hymns, glees, part songs, patriotic songs and songs for choruses and duets.

Professor Luse advertised often in educational journals. The advertisement below appeared in volume of the Educator Journal in 1906.

Throughout his career, J.D. Luse taught in many different school districts, including Tiffin, Sandusky, Zanesville and Mentor, Ohio. He was a popular speaker at educational institutes for teachers as well. By 1904, he and his family moved to Columbus, Ohio, where he remained active in music publishing. Professor Luse died there in 1920.

You can view the full text of the 1890 version of The Royal Wreath of Song at the Internet Archive. By paging through this book, you can see some of the songs that your ancestors may have sung in school in years gone by. The Sandusky Library Archives Research Center has two of Professor Luse’s music books in its collection. Today you can find copies of his books at college and theological libraries throughout the United States.

Homecoming Parade for Veterans of the Spanish American War

On May 26, 1899 a special train brought the soldiers of Company B, Sixth Ohio Infantry, from Cincinnati to the Big Four Station in Sandusky, Ohio. According to the Sandusky Register of May 25, 1899, the men who served in the Spanish-American War left on April 26, 1898 as “soldiers of the state” and they returned on May 26 as citizens. The front page article in the Register stated that “Welcome Company B” was the heartfelt expression of every patriotic citizen of Sandusky. Flags and red, white and blue bunting decorated homes and businesses all over Sandusky. 

A parade was held to honor the homecoming of Company B on May 26. Crowds of people gathered  at the train depot to meet the soldiers, who soon were lined up by Captain Charles E. Stroud. The Register account of the homecoming indicated that the scene was a spectacle “never to be forgotten.”  Hats were flying in the air, and cheers and yells added to the ringing of church bells. The parade proceeded from Columbus Avenue to Monroe Park. Several men on horses and horse drawn vehicles took part in the parade.

A group of marchers in formation held swords aloft.

In the 200 block of Columbus Avenue, spectators watched the parade from the second and third floors of downtown businesses.

The Great Western Band, the Sandusky Brass Band, the Soldiers’ Home Band, and a drum corps made up of employees of the Standard Wheel Company all participated in the parade, along with several lodges, veterans’ organizations, and a platoon of policemen. Mayor Christian Zimmerman welcomed the crowds at Monroe Park, where Major E.B. King spoke on behalf of the citizens’ committee. Professor Luse of the Sandusky City Schools arranged for a vocal chorus of 1,000 voices to sing patriotic songs. 

It is estimated that 15,000 people gathered at the park. A reception and banquet was held at the West House for the returning soldiers on Monday, May 29.  Details about the homecoming of Company B, Ohio Sixth Infantry, can be read in the May 26-May 30, 1899 issues of the Sandusky Register, now on microfilm at the Sandusky Library Archives Research Center.

Professor J.D. Luse

An article in the September 26, 1900 issue of the Sandusky Daily Star reported that Professor J. D. Luse had moved to Sandusky to become supervisor of music in the Sandusky schools. Between 1890 and 1909, Jesse D. Luse authored several music books. The series of books in his “Wreath Music Course” were used in the curriculum of public schools, as well as in one room schools throughout the Midwest.

The Laurel Wreath of Song was published by J. D. Luse in 1902, when he resided in Sandusky. The book contained popular songs, patriotic songs, selections to sing in harmony, as well as hymns.

“Sweet Spring is Returning” was written by F. Silcher, and arranged by J. D. Luse.

In 1904, Professor Luse moved back to Columbus, where he planned to devote his time to his publishing business.