Professor Harley Newcomb (1836-1913)
The following biography is (slightly revised) from Bethuel M. Newcomb’s 1923 Andrew Newcomb and His Descendants.
Mr. Newcomb began the study of music at the age of eight years, and had the advantage of both vocal and instrumental instruction in Germany, France and Italy. He began teaching music in 1855, moved to Boston in 1858 and to Washington DC in 1873, devoting his time to the teaching of music in each place.
He composed operas, one of the most worthy of mention being “The Recluse”, which was successfully presented in New York City under his own direction. He composed operettas, dramas, librettos and many hymns, and is the author of “Gloria”, a book which was used extensively in Sabbath schools.
The last nine years of his life were passed in California, near Los Gatos.