Page 154 - History of UB Church in Hburg Region
P. 154
History of U.B. Churches in Harrisonburg-Staunton Region December 26, 2024
singing schools and the publication of shape-note books throughout the country, although the largest
number of activities and subscribers remained in the South. As the decades passed, the journal devoted
more attention to musical affairs and less to literature. Whereas in its early days, the journal contained a
number of stories and miscellaneous advertisements unrelated to music, the company strengthened its
ties to its original cause of musical instruction in the 1880s. By 1892, the company records dictated that
the journal should contain four pages of new music and that all other matters should pertain to music.
In addition to the Musical Million, the Ruebush-Kieffer Company printed books for church,
Sunday schools, glee clubs, quartets, and classes on harmony and composition. By the early 20th
century, over 50 songbooks had been published and millions of copies had been sold. Between 1897
and 1902 alone, their business almost doubled. The Ruebushes and Kieffers were all gifted musicians
with a wide array of talents. Perhaps the most well-known of the family was Aldine Kieffer, a
songwriter and poet. Kieffer learned the principles of vocal music from his grandfather, Joseph Funk,
and wrote some of the most famous songs published by the company, including “Twilight is Falling,”
“My Mountain Home,” and “The Old Schoolhouse on the Hill.” His interests in songwriting ranged
from hymns to folksongs, all of which were reflected in the publications. In addition, Kieffer published
a volume of poetry, entitled “Hours of Fancy or Vigil and Vision.” Other poems of his appeared in the
Musical Million. Ephraim Ruebush, born in Augusta County, moved to Singer’s Glen to study with
Joseph Funk and married Aldine Kieffer’s sister, Lucilla. Ephraim learned both music composition and
the printing trade from Funk. Although active in the musical field, writing hymns and conducting
singing schools, Ruebush devoted his work for the company to its business affairs. His two sons, W. H.
and J. H. Ruebush, both taught music and served as head of the music department at Shenandoah
College. Each was quite talented in a variety of musical fields from singing to composing to
instrumental music. W. H. Ruebush was known for writing the music to “Old Virginia,” which for
many years served as the unofficial state song. Contemporary accounts suggest the importance of the
Ruebush-Kieffer Company in the development of Dayton, and particularly in its recognition as a
musical center in the state. In 1888 The People’s Educational Quarterly stated: “The headquarters for
Character Note music has for several years been located in Dayton. The firm name Ruebush-Kieffer
Company is a household word in every state in the Union…Under the influence of the House, Dayton is
winning a reputation as a music centre of no small importance.” Aldine Kieffer died in 1904, followed
by Ephraim Ruebush in 1924. After Ruebush’s death, the local newspaper observed that he was the
“last of a noted group of musicians who gave Rockingham County its state-wide reputation as a musical
center.” Ephraim’s grandson, James L. Ruebush, took over the company in 1923, and he continued to
publish musical works until 1931, when character notes had become obsolete. Operated now as
Shenandoah Press, with more modern printing equipment, Ruebush’s business now focuses primarily on
commercial printing.
A. P. Funkhouser, a leader in the U.B. Church, and J. N. Fries, one of Dayton’s first mayors,
organized Shenandoah Seminary in 1875 as primarily a private school for children of members of the
United Brethren in Christ Church. In its early years, the School held classes in a frame store building on
Main Street. Around 1879, the school moved to the old Stinespring Tavern at 250 College Street. The
U.B. Virginia Conference Board, desiring a church school, purchased the school in 1884. A year later,
the college enlarged the original building with a large brick addition and purchased the campus land
between College and Main streets. In the ensuing years, the college built several major structures,
including Howe Memorial Hall in 1899, the Administration Building in 1910, and Kieffer Alumni
Gymnasium in 1930, along with several smaller frame auxiliary buildings. Several other houses were
utilized as dorms and for overflow activities. The college advertised a curriculum from classical and
commercial studies to English and scientific instruction. However, from its inception, music played a
II.B.14 Dayton U.B. Church and SCI 140
singing schools and the publication of shape-note books throughout the country, although the largest
number of activities and subscribers remained in the South. As the decades passed, the journal devoted
more attention to musical affairs and less to literature. Whereas in its early days, the journal contained a
number of stories and miscellaneous advertisements unrelated to music, the company strengthened its
ties to its original cause of musical instruction in the 1880s. By 1892, the company records dictated that
the journal should contain four pages of new music and that all other matters should pertain to music.
In addition to the Musical Million, the Ruebush-Kieffer Company printed books for church,
Sunday schools, glee clubs, quartets, and classes on harmony and composition. By the early 20th
century, over 50 songbooks had been published and millions of copies had been sold. Between 1897
and 1902 alone, their business almost doubled. The Ruebushes and Kieffers were all gifted musicians
with a wide array of talents. Perhaps the most well-known of the family was Aldine Kieffer, a
songwriter and poet. Kieffer learned the principles of vocal music from his grandfather, Joseph Funk,
and wrote some of the most famous songs published by the company, including “Twilight is Falling,”
“My Mountain Home,” and “The Old Schoolhouse on the Hill.” His interests in songwriting ranged
from hymns to folksongs, all of which were reflected in the publications. In addition, Kieffer published
a volume of poetry, entitled “Hours of Fancy or Vigil and Vision.” Other poems of his appeared in the
Musical Million. Ephraim Ruebush, born in Augusta County, moved to Singer’s Glen to study with
Joseph Funk and married Aldine Kieffer’s sister, Lucilla. Ephraim learned both music composition and
the printing trade from Funk. Although active in the musical field, writing hymns and conducting
singing schools, Ruebush devoted his work for the company to its business affairs. His two sons, W. H.
and J. H. Ruebush, both taught music and served as head of the music department at Shenandoah
College. Each was quite talented in a variety of musical fields from singing to composing to
instrumental music. W. H. Ruebush was known for writing the music to “Old Virginia,” which for
many years served as the unofficial state song. Contemporary accounts suggest the importance of the
Ruebush-Kieffer Company in the development of Dayton, and particularly in its recognition as a
musical center in the state. In 1888 The People’s Educational Quarterly stated: “The headquarters for
Character Note music has for several years been located in Dayton. The firm name Ruebush-Kieffer
Company is a household word in every state in the Union…Under the influence of the House, Dayton is
winning a reputation as a music centre of no small importance.” Aldine Kieffer died in 1904, followed
by Ephraim Ruebush in 1924. After Ruebush’s death, the local newspaper observed that he was the
“last of a noted group of musicians who gave Rockingham County its state-wide reputation as a musical
center.” Ephraim’s grandson, James L. Ruebush, took over the company in 1923, and he continued to
publish musical works until 1931, when character notes had become obsolete. Operated now as
Shenandoah Press, with more modern printing equipment, Ruebush’s business now focuses primarily on
commercial printing.
A. P. Funkhouser, a leader in the U.B. Church, and J. N. Fries, one of Dayton’s first mayors,
organized Shenandoah Seminary in 1875 as primarily a private school for children of members of the
United Brethren in Christ Church. In its early years, the School held classes in a frame store building on
Main Street. Around 1879, the school moved to the old Stinespring Tavern at 250 College Street. The
U.B. Virginia Conference Board, desiring a church school, purchased the school in 1884. A year later,
the college enlarged the original building with a large brick addition and purchased the campus land
between College and Main streets. In the ensuing years, the college built several major structures,
including Howe Memorial Hall in 1899, the Administration Building in 1910, and Kieffer Alumni
Gymnasium in 1930, along with several smaller frame auxiliary buildings. Several other houses were
utilized as dorms and for overflow activities. The college advertised a curriculum from classical and
commercial studies to English and scientific instruction. However, from its inception, music played a
II.B.14 Dayton U.B. Church and SCI 140
