A Tale Of Two Tenors --Part one

I've had quite a bit of good luck finding newspaper articles that mention information on William H Goodrich and Morrision Goodrich.  They were brothers to the wife of my first cousin 3x removed, Oscar Dunn Jones. I wish I could say that I've had said the same luck finding out info on Ula Goodrich Jones. So far, I haven't found much, just a couple of articles where she was mentioned as being a guest at a get together or two. Anyway, let's get back to the brothers. 

Lately, I've been wondering what it was like for these two talented brothers to grow up in the same household. Did Morrison look up to his older brother William and take up singing as a result. Was there a rivalry of sorts between them? Why did William choose to go to Europe to further his career while Morrison remained in Washington D.C.


Like I said in the begininning of this post, I've had some luck finding the two brothers mentioned in several newspaper articles.

These are regarding William Goodrich:


The Washington Times., November 10, 1894, Page 2, Image 2.
Image courtesy of the Library of Congress, Chronicling America: 
 Historic American Newspapers Collection.

The Washington Times., June 16, 1895, Page 6, Image 6.
Image courtesy of the Library of Congress, Chronicling America:
  Historic American Newspapers Collection.

Looks like William Goodrich was one of the incorporators of The Amphion Glee Club in D.C. Note the club's purpose "to promote the study of music among its members."

The Washington Times., April 13, 1895, Page 6, Image 6
Image courtesy of the Library of Congress, Chronicling America:
  Historic American Newspapers Collection



This article came from a section of the paper that showed upcoming events at local churches. From what I've been able to find so far it appears that St. Augustine's Catholic Church was the home church of the Goodrich family. 

Image courtesy of the Library of Congress
Title: Negro church - St. Augustine Catholic Church, Washington, D.C.
Date Created/Published: [1899?]

There's a mention of St. Augustine's Church in the next clip as well. William Goodrich performed a tenor solo, "Veni Creator" during the 30th anniversary exercises of the church Sunday School.

The Morning Times., June 29, 1896, Morning, Page 5, Image 5
Image courtesy of the Library of Congress, Chronicling America:
  Historic American Newspapers Collection


This next article mentions one of the last U.S. performances of William Goodrich..

Evening Star., June 6, 1900, Page 16, Image 16
Image courtesy of the Library of Congress, Chronicling America:
  Historic American Newspapers Collection

Did he already have plans to go to Europe before this performance or did something happen that night that inspired him? Perhaps it was encouragement from someone like Elzie S. Hoffman that motivated him to take a leap of faith and travel to London.


Here's how the concert performance went over.  I would say it was a success.


The Colored American., June 16, 1900, Page 3, Image3
 
Image courtesy of the Library of Congress, Chronicling America:
Historic American Newspapers Collection

In my post, Amanuensis Monday: Check This Guy Out ---William H. Goodrich, I presented William Goodrich's consular certificate that was issued in 1915. On that document, it stated that he left the United States on August 31, 1900 and arrived in London on September 13, 1900, just a little more than three months after the Hoffman Concert.  

Here's one last newspaper article that briefly mentions William Goodrich. 


 The Washington Bee., September 27, 1902, Image 1


Image courtesy of the Library of Congress, Chronicling America:
  Historic American Newspapers Collection

Looks like I will have to do some research on the McAdoo's Jubilee singers.  Anyway, on my next post, I will feature some of the articles I found on Morrison Goodrich, the other tenor in the family. 

On another note, it has been really hard for me this week to find time and a quiet space to write. Between catching up housework and getting back to school shopping done, I have to say I am a bit tired. Really I don't mean to to complain. This is the homestretch. The kids return to school next week and then I will have some quiet time to myself during the day for writing. 

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