Uncle Joe, Life-Long Musician

Uncle Joe Crowder is a perfect fit for the musical theme of Amy Johnson Crow’s “52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks” writing challenge. You’re looking at The New Theater Orchestra from Staunton, Virginia. Uncle Joe is pictured in the back row first on the left with a bass violin.

Photo courtesy of Charles Culbertson

The News Leader, Staunton, Virginia, Sat., Dec. 11, 2004

Members of the New Theater Orchestra

Sometime in the 1920’s

Uncle Joe married my Grandfather’s sister, Lytie Lorraine Joseph, in Augusta County, Virginia June 20, 1917. He died before I was born so I knew little about him. That changed today when I found his obituary and prepared a transcription for this post. I hope you enjoy hearing about Uncle Joe, our family’s music man.

Staunton-News Leader, Staunton, Virginia, Friday Morning, August 20, 1943

CROWDER DIES AFTER ILLNESS, PENNSYLVANIA

    Joseph L. Crowder, sergeant music instructor, United States Army, died in Valley Forge General Hospital, Phoenixville, Penna., Thurs-day morning. He had been a patient there several months and his condition had for some weeks caused alarm.

   Sergeant Crowder was born in Staunton, fifty-eight years ago, a son of Captain Thomas J. Crowder, long a commissioner of revenue here, and Mrs. Betty Virginia Crowder, and spent most of his life in Staunton. He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Lytie Joseph Crowder; a brother, Erol, and sister, Etta, and two nieces, Virginia and Josephine Crowder, all of this city.

   The body will be brought here for final services, but arrangements have not been completed.

Life-Long Musician

   Sergeant Crowder was a musician, proficient in various instruments, and devoted the greater part of his life to teaching and playing. He received his first instruction from his brother, the late S. Travers Crowder, a well known trombonist. Some of the Sergeant’s pupils are now members of the Stonewall Brigade band, with which he had been associated for about forty years. He had served it both as director and assistant director, as well as filling various chairs in concert. In the days when theaters used orchestras, Sergeant was regularly employed as a string bass. In amateur theatricals here, his services always were gladly given. He also played in various church ensembles.

   He served on the Mexican border with the old First Virginia Infantry band, but in World War I was not eligible due to a physical imperfection. When he was turned down for active duty then, he volunteered for Y.M.C.A. work and was accepted. Three years ago when our war clouds were gathering, he again volunteered and was accepted as a band master-instructor of the 116^th Virginia Infantry (National Guard) band, and went to Fort Meade when this regiment was called into federal service last February two years ago. He was with the band on maneuvers in Virginia, the Carolinas, in Florida, and went abroad with the 116^th last September.

   All of his service was in England, and it was there in late December that he developed pneumonia. He recovered, but later complications developed and he spent considerable time in a hospital there before being sent to the United States in early spring. He was at Halloran General hospital, Staten Island, N. Y., for several months before being transferred to Phoenixville. Military procedure had been executed and he was due to be transferred to Woodrow Wilson General hospital here when his fatal illness developed.

Guest of Lady Astor

   During his service in England, the Stauntonian upon one occasion was talking with a group at a railroad station. He mentioned Virginia and a woman standing nearby turned to him, inquiring if his home was in Virginia. He replied affirmatively, and the inquirer identified herself as Lady Nancy Astor, originally of “Mirridor,” near Greenwood. Lady Nancy invited Sergeant Crowder to be her guest one weekend at her English estate; “Clivedon.” He accepted, and his visit there was one of the most pleasant experiences while abroad.

   Sergeant Crowder was a man of quiet disposition, his great appreciation of music mellowing his life, and causing him to find contentment in the less boisterous pursuits. He was fond of reading, research, and travel. His many fine qualities won him a large circle of friends, both in civilian and military life. He was a member of the Central Methodist church, Staunton.

   Mrs. Crowder was notified late Wednesday that his condition was much worse and she left immediately for Phoenixville, accompanied by Mr. and Mrs. C. C. Farrar. They arrived just before he died.

Fellow musicians paid tribute to Uncle Joe as reported in the The Evening Leader, Staunton, Virginia:

     “The Stonewall Brigade band here records its profound sorrow at the passing of this fine man and fine musician, and extends to his family its sincerest sympathy. With Longfellow, we say:

          “He has moved a little nearer

                To the Master of all music.”

Sergeant Joseph Crowder