JAMES SAMUEL TORBETT

My brother, James Samuel Torbett, was born March 15, 1868. When he was ten years of age he began borrowing and reading every book he could find, frequently sitting up until eleven or twelve o'clock at night. He had a splendid memory.

His education was through the ordinary public schools, but he had a spirit of adventure and went out to see the world for himself. Through the influence of our neighbor, Mrs. Gillespie, who was a music teacher, he studied music and at the age of twenty began teaching music in the country schools and churches. Our father led church and camp meeting music for thirty years, and was an example and a help to him.

The life of James was a distinctive service to humanity - teaching people who had not had an opportunity to study music. He taught them how to sing, going from one place to another, organizing schools of from fifteen to twenty-five students, at a nominal charge per student. He ended the school with a picnic and dinner on the ground, the entire neighborhood participating.

My brother did this kind of work for twenty years, carrying around with him a little folding organ. He wrote many songs and books of songs, and made connections with other musicians, especially the Stamps-Baxter Quartet, who use his music frequently over the radio. He was active in instituting the State Organization of Music in country schools. Soon after his death, May 16, 1940, 4,200 of the members from all parts of the State met in Waco. I attended the meeting, where many of his songs were sung. Sam Sellers of Waco, well known as a member of the Texas Legislature, was president of that organization and presided at the meeting, and I read a little poem I had written for his funeral.

In 1914 my brother James entered the mercantile business in Gatesville, Texas, but music was his principal interest and he frequently spent his time giving singing lessons, and composing. Some of the outstanding songs that he wrote were "Cling to Jesus," "Guiding Star," "Will My Soul Be Ready'!" and "The Glory Land Way," which was one of his most popular songs. It has been sung throughout the United States, over the radio, and on records. It was the last song he sang as he sat on the bedside before he passed on to "Glory Land." He literally sang his way into Heaven.

This is the poem I wrote for him:

His name is known both far and wide

By those who love to sing,

Whose voices he was glad to guide,

God's music to them bring.

He put his soul into his songs,

As food for hungry hearts;

A means to help us right life's wrongs

And better do our parts.

The latest song he sang on earth,

Before he went away,

Was "Glory Land," thro' Christ's new birth

That brings a bright new day.

He did life's work in his own way,

With songs of love and praise,

And waits with us the Judgment Day,

When Christ His own shall raise.

James S. Torbett married Miss Eugenia Wicker, a devoted, loyal wife for many years. They had four children: Gene, a friendly popular fellow, who as a trombonist led a fine band during World War No.1 (Gene has a beautiful wife, and a daughter who is a splendid violinist) ; Edwin, deceased, and twin daughters, Anice and Annez.

Note: James Samuel was son of John Cornelius 1840 - 1919 & Mary Elizabeth 1846 - 1929 Torbett. kc