Professor Adrian P. Babcock, Norwich Musician

Prof. A.P. Babcock

Norwich Musician Who Assumes a Responsible Position

Utica Saturday Globe, 1901

 

 

Adrian P. Babcock

Adrian P. Babcock, who left Norwich several weeks ago for a southern trip has been offered, and has accepted a professorship in a young ladies college at Asheville, North Carolina, where he will give instructions on the piano [South New Berlin Bee, March 2, 1901]

 

Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], Feb. 15 [1901]:  One of the most prominent institutions in North Carolina is the Asheville College for young women, which is an outgrowth of the Dickson Seminary and the Asheville Female College. The property was purchased in 1897 by Prof A.A. Jones, of Lexington, Ky., has been remodeled and improved and now ranks first among the institutions of its kind in the south.  It is beautifully situate and admirably equipped.  During the first year of the present management it numbered among its students young ladies from 23 different States.  Its teachers are drawn from leading colleges and universities, thus insuring breadth of education and thoroughness of instruction.

 

What lends keen interest to this rather remote institution among Norwich people just now is the fact that one of their number, well known and popular, has become the musical director of the college. To this important and lucrative position Prof. Adrian P. Babcock has been chosen and has already entered upon his duties.  His selection will be appreciated by Norwich admirers who know how well fitted he is to impart the instruction required.

 

Prof. Babcock is a native of Norwich, the second son of Dr. and Mrs. Linn Babcock.  He was educated at Norwich High School and Albany Business College.  He began his musical course under his father's direction, and afterwards studies for a year at the Scharwenka Conservatory in New York, and later for three years was a student at the Royal Conservatory of Leipzig.  During the past few years he has frequently appeared in concerts and recitals and conventions.  No pianist has pleased his hearers more, and at every appearance he was enthusiastically encored.  That he will not disappoint his institution goes without saying, for, an indomitable will and capacity for hard work which are bound to win success. 

 

It may be mentioned in passing that the famous Biltmore estate of 10,000 acres lies only about two miles form Asheville College, and the students in botany and biology, through the kindness of the owner of the estate, Geroge W. Vanderbilt, have access to his botanical gardens and extensive arboretum. 

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Death Notice

DeRuyter Gleaner, January 23, 1902

Adrian P. Babcock died at his home in Norwich [Chenango Co., NY] on Wednesday of last week of consumption.  He was the son of the late Dr. Linn Babcock and was nearly 28 years old.  He was an exceptionally fine musician, having graduated from the Royal Conservatory of Leipzig, Germany, with high honors.

 

Obituary

Otsego Farmer, Cooperstown, NY, January 1902

Adrian Babcock died Thursday morning at his home in Norwich aged about 25 years.  He had been critically ill for nearly three months of lung trouble and death was not entirely unexpected.  He was a son of the late Linn Babcock, one of the members of the well known music firm, with a branch store in Cooperstown.  While a mere lad, he exhibited musical ability, and frequently appeared in public at musical recitals before he was 18 years old.  At that age he went to Leipzig, Germany, where for two and a half years he was a student of the celebrated Hungarian, pianist and composer, Franz Liszt.  Mr. Babcock had very often visited in Cooperstown, more frequently with his father in former years during the summer.

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Death of Gen. Linn Babcock

Utica Observer, October 3, 1901

 

Norwich [Chenango Co., NY]:  Dr. Linn Babcock, the well-known music instructor and senior member of the firm of L.A. & L. H. Babcock, dealers in musical instruments had a serious and protracted illness.  Although he recovered partially he never regained his full strength.  Two weeks ago he caught a severe cold which developed into gastric fever and in his weakened condition he was unable to withstand the inroads of the disease.  Linn Babcock was born at South New Berlin [Chenango Co., NY], April 22, 1838.  At an early age he developed strong musical proclivities and when about ten years old went to Cherry Valley and there studied under Prof. J.A. Fowler, then a celebrated instructor in music.  On the completion of his course Mr. Babcock taught the piano at Fort Plain Seminary, Fort Edward Seminary and Hamilton Female Seminary during the years 1853, 1854 and 1855.  In the latter year he entered Madison (now Colgate) University and in 1875 his college honored him by conferring the degree of doctor of music.  In 1859 Mr. Babcock went to the University of Leipzig, Germany, and there spent three years in completing his musical education.  He was a friend of Rubinstein and other great musicians and their letters written to him about this time show that they considered him their equal.  The elder Steinway also took keen interest in the career of the young pianist, whose genius he recognized and remained his firm friend until he died.  Returning to America Dr. Babcock entered into partnership with his brother Adrian, in the sale of pianos at South New Berlin.  He also taught music with great success and numbers among his former students many leading musicians.  In 1876 the firm removed to Norwich, where they bought the present warerooms and laid the foundation of their successful business which still continues.  For many years Dr. Babcock was prominent in Democratic politics in this state.  in 1882 he was candidate of his party for Representative to congress for this district and though defeated, cut down the normal Republican majority several thousand votes.  he was chairman of the Democratic county committee for twelve years and served for two years on the state committee.  He was an admirer of Senators Hills and Murphy, whose personal friendship he enjoyed, together with that of many other Democratic leaders.  Dr. Babcock was a member of the vestry of the Episcopal Church of this village and of Norwich Lodge no. 302 F.&A.M. Harmony Chapter, no. 51, Royal Arch Masons and Norwich Commandery, No. 4 Knights Templars.  There survive his widow, his children, Sidney S. Babcock, Adrian P. Babcock, Linn H. Babcock, Arman T. Babcock and Mrs. Frank Rogers, his brothers Adrian Babcock and Grove Babcock of South New Berlin.  Funeral services will be held Saturday afternoon at 2 o'clock, Rev. Dr. W.D. Benton, officiating.

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Sidney S. Babcock

The Utica Observer, June 13, 1902

Sidney Babcock, eldest son of the late Dr. Linn Babcock of Norwich, was found dead in the Oak restaurant in that village yesterday morning.  Babcock, with a number of companions, had been about the restaurant last night, and when the place closed up for the night he had fallen asleep.  Efforts to arouse him failed and he was left sitting in a chair.  A policeman was given a key with instructions to look after him.  He was apparently all right at 4 o'clock, but at 5 o'clock was found dead, the body having fallen from the chair.  It is the general belief that Babcock came to his death from an overdose of chloral, which he was in the habit of using to induce sleep.  The deceased was in his 22d year.  He is survived by his mother, now a resident of New York city, two brothers, Linn H. Babcock and Orman Babcock, and one sister, Mrs. Frank Rogers, all of this village. The funeral will be held tomorrow.

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Orman T. Babcock

Syracuse Journal, February 9, 1904

Norwich [Chenango Co., NY]:  At 4:30 p.m. Monday Orman T. Babcock, son of the late Dr. Linn Babcock, died at his home on East Main st. of pneumonia.  he was born in Norwich in 1881 and was a graduate of the High school and was a proficient musician.  Surviving him is his mother, one sister, Mrs. Frank L. Rogers of New York, and a brother, Linn H. Babcock of this place.  Mr. Babcock returned from Florida about a week ago where he went for his health.  He was taken much worse on Sunday and failed rapidly until death came.  He inherited the musical ability of his father, Linn Babcock, and was a favorite among the social set of the village.  His death makes the fourth in the family covering a period of only two years and a half.  His father died in October, 1901, his brother, Adrian P. Babcock died on Jan. 15, 1902 and another brother, Sidney S. Babcock, died in June of that year.