Person Results

Ellis J. Crum

1928 - 2011 Person Name: E. J. C. Arranger of "All Hail the Power" in Sacred Selections for the Church

J. B. Herbert

1852 - 1927 Composer of "[All hail the power of Jesus' name]" in Glory Songs

Ted Johnson

Composer of "NEW AGATITE" in The Sacred Harp

1837 - 1899 Person Name: Jno. R. Sweney Composer of "[All hail the pow'r of Jesus' name]" in The Voice of Triumph (19th ed.) John R. Sweney (1837-1899) was born in West Chester, Pennsylvania, and exhibited musical abilities at an early age. At nineteen he was studying with a German music teacher, leading a choir and glee club, and performing at children’s entertainments. By twenty-two he was teaching at a school in Dover, Delaware. Soon thereafter, he was put in charge of the band of the Third Delaware Regiment of the Union Army for the duration of the Civil War. After the war, he became Professor of Music at the Pennsylvania Military Academy, and director of Sweney’s Cornet Band. He eventually earned Bachelor and Doctor of Music degrees at the Academy. Sweney began composing church music in 1871 and became well-known as a leader of large congregations. His appreciators stated “Sweney knows how to make a congregation sing” and “He had great power in arousing multitudes.” He also became director of music for a large Sunday school at the Bethany Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia of which John Wanamaker was superintendent (Wanamaker was the founder of the first major department store in Philadelphia). In addition to his prolific output of hymn melodies and other compositions, Sweney edited or co-edited about sixty song collections, many in collaboration with William J. Kirkpatrick. Sweney died on April 10, 1899, and his memorial was widely attended and included a eulogy by Wanamaker. Joe Hickerson from "Joe's Jottings #9" used by permission

William M. Runyan

1870 - 1957 Composer of "[All hail the pow'r of Jesus' name]" in Victorious Revival Songs Showing early musical promise, William Marion Runyan (b. Marion, NY, 1870; d. Pittsburg, KS, 1957) was a substitute church organist by the age of twelve. He became a Methodist minister in 1891 and served several churches in Kansas but turned to evangelism in 1903; he worked for the Central Methodist Conference for the next twenty years. Following that service, Runyan became pastor at the Federated Church at John Brown University, Sulphur Springs, Arkansas. Editor of Christian Workers Magazine, he also served the Moody Bible Institute and was an editor for Hope Publishing Company until his retirement in 1948. Runyan wrote a number of hymn texts, gospel songs, and hymn tunes. Bert Polman

Will M. Ramsey

1872 - 1939 Composer of "[All hail the pow'r of Jesus' name]" in Gospel Service Hymnal William Morgan Ramsey Born: August 24, 1872, Belton, Texas. Died: March 12, 1939, Little Rock, Arkansas. Buried: Roselawn Cemetery, Little Rock, Arkansas. Will was the son of Charles Crump Ramsey and Martha Ann Frances Burns. He married twice, to Virgie Celemma Statton and Willie Mannasas Lawing. Ramsey moved with his family to northwest Arkansas as a child. He studied music in Normal schools under Ephraim Hildebrand, Stephen Oslin, and Benjamin Unseld. He began teaching shape notes and singing while still a teenager, and became well known in singing schools throughout the American South. He went on to become president and owner of the Central Music Company in Little Rock. © The Cyber Hymnal™ (www.hymntime.com/tch)

William Harold Ferguson

1874 - 1950 Person Name: William Harold Ferguson, 1874 - 1950 Composer of "LADYWELL" in The Hymn Book of the Anglican Church of Canada and the United Church of Canada Born: January 1, 1874, Leeds, England. Died: October 18, 1950, Littlehampton, Sussex, England. Ferguson was educated at Magdalen College School, Oxford, and was a chorister in the College chapel. After graduating from Keble College, he taught at St. Edward’s School, Oxford (1896-69) and Bilton Grange, Rugby (1899-1901). He later attended Cuddesdon Theological College. After ordination, he served as assistant master, chaplain, organist and director of chapel music at Lancing College (1902-13); Warden of St. Edward’s School, Oxford (1913-25); Warden of St Peter’s College, Radley, Abingdon, Oxfordshire (1925-37); and Canon and Precentor of Salisbury Cathedral (1937-47). With Geoffrey Shaw, he was joint music editor of The Public School Hymn Book in 1919. --www.hymntime.com/tch/

J. P. E. Hartmann

1805 - 1900 Composer of "WASLI" in Immanuel Hymnal Born: May 14, 1805, Copenhagen, Denmark. Died: March 10, 1900.

James D. McAllister

Composer of "[All hail the power of Jesus' name]" in Eureka Carols One of the teachers of the Eureka Normal School - S. J. Oslin, "Southwestern notes," Musical Million v. 31/no. 5 (May 1900), page 86. "Prof. J. D. McAllister is teaching in Hopkins county, Texas, and is having a fine time. He is one among the best class teachers of Texas, and, of course, will succeed." - S. J. Oslin, "Southwestern notes," Musical Million v. 31/no. 8 (August 1900), page 117.