JEFFERSON CO., Pa. (EYT) – Matson Insurance is partnering with Jefferson County History Center to offer exploreJeffersonpa.com readers a look in Jefferson County’s past. Today George Washington Heber is being showcased.
[A man of multiple talents, George Washington Heber was an accomplished musician. (Photograph JCHS Collection)]
George Washington Heber
George Washington Heber was a bachelor with multiple interests—radio, music, entertaining, birds, horticulture, and history. He collected things. Organist at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church for 47 years, in 1925 he built an addition to Bluebird Bungalow, his home, where he entertained often. Nearly 2500 signatures are recorded in his scrapbook―names of local people and the names of musicians who were guests at luncheons, musicales, recitals, and garden parties.
Heber had studied music under Walter Hall, a famous English organist, and his wife, a noted pianist. He also studied the mandolin under Valentine Abt. According to present-day string players, Abt (1873-1933) was one of the greatest of the early American mandolin soloists. His compositions were published, and he also made a handful of recordings, for example his Artist’s Valse, for the Victor Talking Machine. Heber was a member of the Brookville Mandolin, Banjo, and Guitar Society.
Heber earned his living as the proprietor of the Brookville Musical Headquarters and was secretary and general manager of the Solar Electric Company and general manager of the Brookville Water Company. He was a key member of many community organizations and projects. As secretary and general manager of the Brookville Cemetery Association, he compiled and printed the rules and regulations and organized annual “flower days” at the cemetery. He arranged for trees to be planted on the hospital grounds to honor pioneer doctors and Civil War nurses.
Pertinent to the Jefferson County Historical Society is the chartering and incorporation of the George W. Heber Historical Society of Jefferson County, a process he began in 1927. Heber was known for his collection of historical objects and exhibited them in 1930 when Brookville celebrated its centennial as the county seat.
Throwback Thursday is brought to you by Matson Insurance in Brookville.
Submitted by the Jefferson County History Center.
Copyright©Jefferson County Historical Society, Inc. 2010.
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