[161-28] DAVID H. ANDERS, b Feb. 28, 1835; s Frederick and Catharine (Heebner) Anders [f61- 15]; m Dec. 3, 1859, MARY ROSENBERGER, b Oct. 7, 1830; d Mar. 24, 1895; dau John and Mary (Hockman) Rosenberger. Teacher of brass, reed and flute bands. Res., 1650 N. 8th St., Phila., Pa.
One child: [161-64] Horace R., 6 Sept. 16, 1860; m Isabella Kellogg. Davip H. ANDERS, BAND MASTER:
In 1690 there was born in Germany a certain Heinrich Anders, who later became organist in the old church in Amsterdam, and who published two books of Sonatas in 1720.
It is not known whether this Heinrich Anders was related to Balzer Anders of the immigrant Schwenkfelders or not, but at least one braneh of the Anders family possesses exceptional musical ability which indicates that there might be some connection between the families.
David H. Anders, the subject of this sketch, was born on his father’s farm adjoining the Worcester Schwenkfelder Church, in Worcester Twp., Pa. While the Schwenkfelders had always encouraged vocal music in the form of singing for the better participation in religious exercises, up to this time they strongly disapproved of “‘machine-made music’’ not only in the church but also in the home, as being noisy and tending to frivolity. David H. Anders was the first Schwenkfelder to encourage and foster the study of band instruments in the Middle District, as well as amongst the entire Schwenkfelder community. At the age of ten he with other boys and girls attended singing school in Worcester under the instruction of Prof. Trucksess. Having a clear high soprano voice, which was quickly recognized by his teacher as of extraordinary quality, young David was taken upon the knee of his instructor while the class was being taught. THE CENTER Point BAND.
When David was about 14 years of age, a group of young men met one day in Hendricks’ Store, Center Point, Pa., and decided to organize a brass band.
Instruments were procured from a Philadelphia manufacturer and a teacher named Bailey came from the same city to instruct the boys.
David Anders chose the E-flat cornet, the leading instrument, and his progress was so rapid that he was chosen leader of the band within a year from its organization. Being thus encouraged in his efforts, be began the study of harmony and composition and soon was arranging and harmonizing pieces for the band, and also instructed the members in the use of the various instruments, so that the former teacher was discharged.
However, the parents of many of these ‘‘band boys’? were very much opposed to these “noisemaking instruments,”’ and objected to having their boys belong to such a worldly organization. The climax was reached one Saturday night when the leader announced to his band that they had now progressed sufficiently to warrant their being instructed in marching. They accordingly proceeded to march up and down the Skippack road to the great amazement of the residents.
The following day, being Sunday, Rev. Reuben Kriebel, pastor of the Worcester Schwenkfelder Church, in the presence of the leader and various members of the band discoursed upon the sinfulness and worldliness of such an exhibition as was given by the band on the night before. This denunciation, however, had the opposite effect, as it was thought by many to have been ill advised and too severe; the result was that a much milder attitude towards the organization was taken by a number of the parents of. the members, as they realized that their sons were receiving instruction in an art that was not harmful to their welfare.
It is stated that Rev. Kriebel also became reconciled to the harmlessness of the institution later, and implied that he too would not object to joining the organization, did his ministerial duties not prevent. This ‘Center Point Band’ became quite famous and popular, and was in frequent demand to furnish music on many public occasions, and later became attached to the Norris City Rifles, a military Company of Norristown, Pa. However, when this company was ordered to the front during the Civil War, the Band as an organization did not go with them.
Since that time the fame of David Anders as an instructor of bands and orchestras, as 2 composer and arranger of music, has spread over Eastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey, and thousands of young men now musically prominent received their instruction and achieved subsequent success as the result of his systematic and thorough training. Through the refining influence of his example and high ideals, many men were made better morally, socially and artistically.
During his long career Mr. Anders has been the instructor of many bands and other musical organizations, and continuously since 1887 has been one of the faculty of the Pennsylvania Training School, at Elwyn, Pa., as instructor of the band. MEMBERSHIP OF THE CENTER Point Banp At Various Times From 1848 To 1865. E flat Cornet and Leader—David H. Anders
E flat Cornet ........ Nathaniel H. Anders Tenor (Trombone) ..... William S. Schultz
B fla Feces Joseph H. Anders “ aes John Markley
sees Ocean e eae George Weber Baritone ........... David H. Krause
ss Oke e eee George Seipt 6 cee Josiah Heebner
“oe SOc nee James Slough Bass .. 0.02... cee eae William K. Gresh
E fiat 6 bee eeeaes John Weber cece cence ee eees Edwin Gresh
fee 6 cece eas Isaac Moyer Ske cee eee eens Isaac D. Heebner
oon Sac ee eee Eli Van Fossen cece cece eee Samuel Hendricks
E flat Alto... 2.0... Anthony Heebner, Jr. SO acct eeu eeeeuee Morris Hunsicker
face eaee Samuel Kriebel Snare Drum ........... Fred Markley
60 Ecce nns Jacob Geller “ eva e eae Thomas Lowndes
“os 66 eee e eens William H. Seipt Bass Drum ............ George Nice
Tenor (Trombone)...... John Geller Cymbals... ............. William Quinn