Biography

Stories/Oral History

Pictures

Publications

Biography

Marriage

Charles married Harriet (Hattie) Emogene on July 9, 1879. Hattie Boyle was born December 25, 1856 in Erie, Pennsylvania. After their marriage, they moved to Richmond, Indiana followed by a move to Middlesex, Pennsylvania.Both Mr. And Mrs. Boyle received bachelor of music degrees from the Pennsylvania State Normal School.

The Ottawa Years

In 1883, Charles and Hattie moved to Ottawa, Kansas where they led the Ottawa University music department for ten years.  An ad lists Boyle as the Principal of the Conservatory of Music at Ottawa University.  Music was taught at Ottawa before his arrival but was considered an extra program and not a degree program.  The Conservatory was related to the university but not directly under its control.  After the Boyle’s departure, the conservatory eventually became the Music Department of Ottawa University.
 

The “Ottawa Campus” publication states the departure of professor Boyle.

Prof. C. A. Boyle was elected to the chair of music in the State Normal School of

Emporia.  This, however does not take Prof. Boyle from us entirely.  On certain days the Professor and Mrs. Boyle will come to Ottawa to take charge of the more advanced work.  As soon as possible a professor of Vocal and Harmony will be secured” (p. 10).

The January 1884 issue of the Ottawa Campus school newspaper has an article discussing the successors of the Boyles and thus probably meant the end of their part-time work for Ottawa.

The Emporia Years

In 1893 Mr. and Mrs. Boyle traveled to Emporia, Kansas.  In 1894 Boyle is elected head of the department of music.  Charles and Hattie Boyle were in charge of the music department of the State Normal School in Emporia, now renamed Emporia State College. The Boyles were at the State Normal School for fifteen years. Mr. Boyle was director and had the teaching duties of thorough–bass and voice, sight singing as well as piano and harmony.  Mrs. Boyle taught piano and musical form (theory).

If one reads instead of skimming the page, he appreciates how much sound thought Mr. Boyle gave to his work.  He introduced new and contemporary materials, reserving he best of the old; revamped the courses; introduced new courses whenever he saw the need; saw the value in making music functional; worked for increase in numbers of students, but did not overload his teachers” (Strouse & Taylor, p. 9).

In 1894 and 1985 Boyle added an orchestra and a band as well as a mandolin club and a banjo club.

The Director of the Music Department, Professor C. A. Boyle, instructor in voice and harmony, has been instrumental in advancing the interest in music throughout the state.  In addition to his work as instructor, he has organized and directs two vocal clubs.  The Euridice, composed of young ladies, and the Orpheus, composed of young gentlemen…” (The Kodak, 1898).

The Orpheus club was organized in 1893.

The aim of the Orpheus has been the aim of the leader [Boyle], who from the generosity of his heart, has labored patiently, with progress for his recompense, that young men might the more appreciate the beauty of music; those strains of harmony and melody which have been given off from the souls of great musicians; that those strains might find response in the heart-strings of other men.  Each year some go forth into the educational field of this and other states, where they will plant again the seed garnered from this harvest” (Aureae Memoriae, 1906).

1907 Boyle attends Music Supervisors National Conference Meeting in Keokuk, Iowa at the age of 55.  The close of the 1908 school year brings the resignation of both Charles and Hattie Boyle.

Life after Emporia

After leaving the Emporia State Normal school in 1908 they established the Emporia School of Music located at 1005 Merchant.  Their school became well known throughout Kansas.The school was closed ca. 1920 because of the First World War, but Mrs. Boyle continued teaching private lessons until the year before her death.  Mrs. Boyle was also listed as excelling as an accompanist.  “Many times she played the accompaniment for visiting soloists in Ottawa and Emporia.  Each time she was complimented highly for her work” (Obit. 11-28-1930) She also was one of the founders of the Emporia Music club and was a member of the First Presbyterian church.

Mrs. Boyle died in her home, 1628 west in Emporia, Kansas on November 28, 1930. She was 73.  Her body was taken to Findley, Ohio on the Sante Fe train for burial.  A local newspaper listed Hattie as “…one of Emporia’s first music teachers…” (Obit. 12-2-1930).  Shortly after her death Charles moved to Detroit to live with his son, Carl Boyer.

Death

Charles Boyer died October 7, 1942 in Detroit, Michigan at the age of 90. He was living with his son, Carl at the time of his death.  Funeral services were in Detroit, Michigan with burial in Findlay, Ohio where Mrs. Boyle is buried.
 

Stories

Bradbury, Pearl                      Brown, F.E.                 Brunk, Lela

Carnahan, Clara                      Clark, Luther               Cummings, Minnie B.

Davis, Dale                             DeLay, Flora               Emes, Jessie

Fancett, Hazel                         Frossard, Myrtle         Gallagher, Amelia

Gallagher, Grace                     Gaylord, Mary Ella     Haynes, Sue. D.

Hinckey, Lavonia                    Houston, Erla              Johnson, Nanette

Lomis, Sidney P.                     McCafferty, Frank
 

Pictures

Mr. And Mrs. Boyle – 1908 Yearbook
 
 

Charles Boyle and the Orpheus Club – 1898 Yearbook
 
 

“Wave the Old Gold” Boyle wrote this school song for the Kansas State Normal School.

The copyright is 1895.

Publications

Preface

The purpose of ‘School Praise and Song’ is to meet the needs of educators as manifested in the oft expressed desire for devotional hymns, responsive readings, and songs suitable for use in the morning exercises and the various occasions incident to school life.

The collection of hymns and tunes is the result of an extended acquaintance with the best in the literature through many years of practical experience and careful investigation.Great care has been exercised in adapting the words to the music, and in selecting only those of the highest character, such as will give to the student a proper culture and spirit.

The group of national hymns and songs is on of the best, and will be found invaluable for teaching love of country and devotion to flag.

Many of the home and folk songs so dear to the heart have been given a place, together with a few of the choicest part songs, glees, and anthems.  The morning responses will furnish a fitting devotional introduction to the general exercises.  The responsive readings have been carefully selected with reference to student life. As they are arranged in order of the books of the Bible, it has not been deemed necessary to index them.

Acknowledgment is due Dr. H. R. Palmer, Bishop J. H. Vincent, Prof. Frank O. Marvin, Dr. John H. Gower, Mrs. Gaston Boyd, Prof. D. O. Jones, and others, for the use of copyright material.  The selections from the writings of Oliver Wendell Holmes and Julia ward Howe are used by permission of, and by special arrangement with, Houghton, Mifflin & Co., the authorized publishers of the writings of these authors.

We believe the book will be found useful in general school work, and the morning hour be made brighter and more pleasurable because of its presence and assistance.

The Compiler.  November 1, 1903
 

Misc. Information

Bibliography of Sources

Responsive Readings, For Colleges, Normal and High School.  Emporia, Kansas: 1903.

Strouse, Catherine and Robert M. Taylor. A History of the Department of Music compiled for the 100^th

Anniversary of the Kansas State Teachers College of Emporia. Emporia:1963.

Williams, Gomer.  An Outline of the History of Music in Emporia, Kansas:  1858-1938.  Masters

Thesis Kansas State Teachers College of Emporia:  May 1939.

The Kodak, Kansas State Normal School Yearbook, 1898.

Ottawa Campus, Vol. 10, No. 1.  September 1893.

Emporia State Normal School.  Class register 1904.

Aureae Memorieae [Senior Class Memory Book], Kansas State Normal School, 1906.

The Octagon, Kansas State Normal School Yearbook, 1908.

The Emporia Daily Gazette, Obituary Listing, November 28, 1930.

The Emporia Daily Gazette, Obituary Listing, December 2, 1930.

The Emporia Daily Gazette.  Obituary Listing, October 7, 1942.

Special Thanks To:

Special thanks go to the individuals who provided valuable materials and support for this project.  Without their willingness and generosity of time and research, this project could not have been completed.

It is with my sincere thanks that I acknowledge the following individuals and their organizations:

Barb Robins, ESU Archivist - Emporia State University

Byron W. Jensen, Associate Dean, Professor of Music – Ottawa University

Jane Kelsey, Librarian - Kansas State Historical Society

Jan Lee, Associate Professor of Education and Interim Library Director - Ottawa University