William Laurier

William Laurier

• Father: Franz Joseph Laurier b. 28 October 1852, d. 7 April 1939
• Mother: Emma A. Longernecker b. 17 October 1859, d. 25 December 1921

• William Laurier was born on 8 November 1886 in New York City, New York.
• Franz Joseph Laurier appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1900 in Bronx, New York, at Fifth Avenue. Other members of the household included William Laurier, Emma A. Longernecker, Eleonore Laurier and Dorothea L. Laurier.
• Franz Joseph Laurier and Emma A. Longernecker appeared in the US federal census of 15 April 1910 in Bronx, New York, at 3630 Bronxwood Avenue. Other members of the household included William Laurier, Eleonore Laurier and Dorothea L. Laurier.
• He was a bandmaster, according to the 1910 census.
• He married Alice Richmond Wing, daughter of Albert Henry Wing and Marion Pauline Richmond, on 13 January 1912 in Manhattan, New York.
• The following appeared on 1 September 1913 in The Dallas Morning News: (Tyler, Tex., Aug. 31) The East Texas Fair executive board has secured the Grand Saline Concert Band of thirty-five pieces for the fair, Oct. 13 to 17. The band has for its conductor William Laurier, who was connected with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra last year. The band gave a concert here Friday night which was listened to by 3,000 people.
• The following appeared on 1 November 1917 in the Rockford Morning Star: Bell's band made its initial appearance in a concert program Sunday night at Tabala Temple, and a large audience gave the selections an appreciatve hearing and gave round after round of applause at their close, bringing many added numbers.
       Among those that were singled out for especial enthusiasm were "The Phantom Bells" an Intermezzo by William Laurier, director of the 331st heavy artillery band at Camp Grant, and the "Camp Grant March," a composition of Mr. Charles Bell, the director of the evening. . . .
• William Laurier appeared in the US federal census of 1 January 1920 in Camp Jackson, Richland County, South Carolina, as a corporal in the US Army.. His wife and children were enumerated elsewhere at Camp Jackson.
• The following appeared on 7 May 1929 in The Dallas Morning News: (College Station, May 6) Two of the four Dallas high school bands won high honors Tuesday in the East Texas band concert. North Dallas took forst place in Class B high school with San Marcos second. Highland Park was second in Class A, Beaumont being first. Other awards were: six months' high school, Caldwell, first; Waco Junior, second; class B college, Allen Academy, first; Sam Houston, second; class A college, A. & M.; industrial, Southern Pacific, first; Missouri Pacific, second; municipal, third year, Longview, first; fourth year, Greenville, first; Marlin, second; fifth year, West McLennan County; sixth year, Waco. Judges were William Laurier of Farrview, Iowa; Carl Mader of Forest Park, Ill., and Dr. Henry Clond of Houston.
• William Laurier and Alice Richmond Wing appeared in the US federal census of 1 April 1930 in Fairfield, Jefferson County, Iowa, at 204 South Maple Avenue. Other members of the household included Dallas Wing Laurier and William Laurier Jr. Husband William Laurier was enumerated elsewhere at Camp Jackson, living with other enlisted men.
• He was employed as bandmaster of an Army band, according to the 1930 census.
• He applied for a Social Security account number on 4 November 1937 while living at 435 West 123rd Street, New York City, New York, while employed part-time (since 20 September 1937) at the New York Schools of Music, 108 East 14th Street.
• William Laurier and Alice Richmond Wing appeared in the US federal census of 1 April 1940 in Hempstead, Nassau County, New York. Other members of the household included Marion Pauline Richmond. And 1935, the entire household was residing in Fairfield, Jefferson County, Iowa.
• He was a musical bandmaster, according to the 1940 census.
• William Laurier became a widower at the 1 November 1966 death of his wife Alice Richmond Wing.
• At the time of his death William Laurier was living in Groton, New London County, Connecticut.
• William Laurier died on 23 January 1967 at age 80 in Rocky Hill, Hartford County, Connecticut.
• Compositions by William Laurier:
       Phantom Bells. Intermezzo for concert band, composed 1917, published by C. L. Barnhouse Co. (CL.013-0683-00AR)
       133rd Infantry Iowa National Guard. March for concert band, composed 1931, published by C. L. Barnhouse Co. (CL.014-0095-00AR.)

• Last Edited: 21 Aug 2012