WW I VETERAN --
Joseph David Warnock was the son of pioneer parents, David and Mary Ferguson Warnock, and born Jan. 25, 1888, on a farm southwest of Battle Creek, Iowa. He passed away August 7, 1951, in the local hospital where he had gone approximately one-half hour earlier to seek medical assistance.
As a child, Mr. Warnock's great love of music and nature's sublime beauty became apparent. He fell victim to asthma and frequent attacks of pneumonia and doctors insisted on a change of climate if his life was to be spared. He attended the public schools at Castle Rock, Colorado, graduating with the Class of 1909 taking an active part in music and debates during his high school days.
During his years in Colorado, he was employed in the First National Bank at Castle Rock and also conducted scouting parties. Following his graduation from high school, he enrolled in the Denver College of Music to major in violin and clarinet under the tutelage of a famous violinist. He was a member of the Orpheum Circuit Symphony and participated in grand opera productions.
After his graduation, he returned to Battle Creek entering into the movie business with Frank Campbell as his business associate. Later he went into business on his own in a place adjoining Viggo M. Brock Agency. In 1914 he and his father built the Luna theatre, which he operated until his death.For many years the Luna Theatre was known as the only small town first run theatre in the United States.
HIs outstanding leadership was perhaps most noticeable when he served as executive chairman in the planning and directing of Battle Creek's famous three-day celebration in 1940 which drew crowds averaging 20,000 daily.
He was a member of the Masonic Lodge, the Maple Valley American Post 364 and the Battle Creek Commercial Club.
Services were held in the Presbyterian Church with Rev. Carl Sinning officiating in the absence of Rev. Albert C. J. Kellow.
Survivors include his daughter, Mrs. Cherie Rymal of Leadville, Colorado; 2 sisters, Frances Spotts of Battle Creek; and Mrs. Alvin Spotts of Los Angeles, California; an uncle, Lowry Warnock of Sioux City; an aunt, Mrs. Retta Warnock of Battle Creek; nieces and nephews and cousins and a host of friends.
Preceding him in death were 2 brothers, Eugene and David, and one sister, Mrs. Margaret Rollins, together with the parents.
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You likely know the story of the Luna Theater in Battle Creek. It was built by David Warnock and brought to prominence by Joe Warnock. Warnock had advanced music education and experience with John Phillip Sousa's band. He organized and directed bands and orchestras in Battle Creek. One of his students, Alvin Etler, became an accomplished and respected musician. Attached is a bio prepared from research into his life. Alvin would have been my grandfather Bert's cousin. Alvin's mother was Mary H. Smith. One of her cousins was Robert L. Smith who lived northeast of Battle Creek. With his wife Bethany and daughter Isabella Smith they operated (and I believe still do operate) a small museum which features 1/3 (or is it ½) scale wooden dolls that were made by Robert. Perhaps you have visited there.
Anyway, a few years ago I was fortunate to connect with Alvin's daughter Margaret (Peg) Etler in Springfield VA. We are vacationing to DC on June 12 and I plan to meet Peg Etler there again. She knows so little of her father's history and genealogy and I have been helping her as I am able. I am looking for a special photograph that I have seen somewhere, but which I cannot now find. It is a photograph of the Battle Creek Military Band posed on the porch steps of the David Warnock house in the early 1920s. Centered in the photo and obviously featured by the band's director Joe Warnock is a small boy holding an oboe. I now know that this boy is almost certainly Alvin Etler. I would like to get this photograph to Peg and to Alvin's other descendants. So, if you could look for this photograph in the places where I suspect you will know to look, I am hoping that you will find it.
The Warnock house is now the Inn at Battle Creek.
Joseph David Warnock was the son of pioneer parents, David and Mary Ferguson Warnock, and born Jan. 25, 1888, on a farm southwest of Battle Creek, Iowa. He passed away August 7, 1951, in the local hospital where he had gone approximately one-half hour earlier to seek medical assistance.
As a child, Mr. Warnock's great love of music and nature's sublime beauty became apparent. He fell victim to asthma and frequent attacks of pneumonia and doctors insisted on a change of climate if his life was to be spared. He attended the public schools at Castle Rock, Colorado, graduating with the Class of 1909 taking an active part in music and debates during his high school days.
During his years in Colorado, he was employed in the First National Bank at Castle Rock and also conducted scouting parties. Following his graduation from high school, he enrolled in the Denver College of Music to major in violin and clarinet under the tutelage of a famous violinist. He was a member of the Orpheum Circuit Symphony and participated in grand opera productions.
After his graduation, he returned to Battle Creek entering into the movie business with Frank Campbell as his business associate. Later he went into business on his own in a place adjoining Viggo M. Brock Agency. In 1914 he and his father built the Luna theatre, which he operated until his death.For many years the Luna Theatre was known as the only small town first run theatre in the United States.
HIs outstanding leadership was perhaps most noticeable when he served as executive chairman in the planning and directing of Battle Creek's famous three-day celebration in 1940 which drew crowds averaging 20,000 daily.
He was a member of the Masonic Lodge, the Maple Valley American Post 364 and the Battle Creek Commercial Club.
Services were held in the Presbyterian Church with Rev. Carl Sinning officiating in the absence of Rev. Albert C. J. Kellow.
Survivors include his daughter, Mrs. Cherie Rymal of Leadville, Colorado; 2 sisters, Frances Spotts of Battle Creek; and Mrs. Alvin Spotts of Los Angeles, California; an uncle, Lowry Warnock of Sioux City; an aunt, Mrs. Retta Warnock of Battle Creek; nieces and nephews and cousins and a host of friends.
Preceding him in death were 2 brothers, Eugene and David, and one sister, Mrs. Margaret Rollins, together with the parents.
-------------------------------------------
You likely know the story of the Luna Theater in Battle Creek. It was built by David Warnock and brought to prominence by Joe Warnock. Warnock had advanced music education and experience with John Phillip Sousa's band. He organized and directed bands and orchestras in Battle Creek. One of his students, Alvin Etler, became an accomplished and respected musician. Attached is a bio prepared from research into his life. Alvin would have been my grandfather Bert's cousin. Alvin's mother was Mary H. Smith. One of her cousins was Robert L. Smith who lived northeast of Battle Creek. With his wife Bethany and daughter Isabella Smith they operated (and I believe still do operate) a small museum which features 1/3 (or is it ½) scale wooden dolls that were made by Robert. Perhaps you have visited there.
Anyway, a few years ago I was fortunate to connect with Alvin's daughter Margaret (Peg) Etler in Springfield VA. We are vacationing to DC on June 12 and I plan to meet Peg Etler there again. She knows so little of her father's history and genealogy and I have been helping her as I am able. I am looking for a special photograph that I have seen somewhere, but which I cannot now find. It is a photograph of the Battle Creek Military Band posed on the porch steps of the David Warnock house in the early 1920s. Centered in the photo and obviously featured by the band's director Joe Warnock is a small boy holding an oboe. I now know that this boy is almost certainly Alvin Etler. I would like to get this photograph to Peg and to Alvin's other descendants. So, if you could look for this photograph in the places where I suspect you will know to look, I am hoping that you will find it.
The Warnock house is now the Inn at Battle Creek.
WW I VETERAN --
Joseph David Warnock was the son of pioneer parents, David and Mary Ferguson Warnock, and born Jan. 25, 1888, on a farm southwest of Battle Creek, Iowa. He passed away August 7, 1951, in the local hospital where he had gone approximately one-half hour earlier to seek medical assistance.
As a child, Mr. Warnock's great love of music and nature's sublime beauty became apparent. He fell victim to asthma and frequent attacks of pneumonia and doctors insisted on a change of climate if his life was to be spared. He attended the public schools at Castle Rock, Colorado, graduating with the Class of 1909 taking an active part in music and debates during his high school days.
During his years in Colorado, he was employed in the First National Bank at Castle Rock and also conducted scouting parties. Following his graduation from high school, he enrolled in the Denver College of Music to major in violin and clarinet under the tutelage of a famous violinist. He was a member of the Orpheum Circuit Symphony and participated in grand opera productions.
After his graduation, he returned to Battle Creek entering into the movie business with Frank Campbell as his business associate. Later he went into business on his own in a place adjoining Viggo M. Brock Agency. In 1914 he and his father built the Luna theatre, which he operated until his death.For many years the Luna Theatre was known as the only small town first run theatre in the United States.
HIs outstanding leadership was perhaps most noticeable when he served as executive chairman in the planning and directing of Battle Creek's famous three-day celebration in 1940 which drew crowds averaging 20,000 daily.
He was a member of the Masonic Lodge, the Maple Valley American Post 364 and the Battle Creek Commercial Club.
Services were held in the Presbyterian Church with Rev. Carl Sinning officiating in the absence of Rev. Albert C. J. Kellow.
Survivors include his daughter, Mrs. Cherie Rymal of Leadville, Colorado; 2 sisters, Frances Spotts of Battle Creek; and Mrs. Alvin Spotts of Los Angeles, California; an uncle, Lowry Warnock of Sioux City; an aunt, Mrs. Retta Warnock of Battle Creek; nieces and nephews and cousins and a host of friends.
Preceding him in death were 2 brothers, Eugene and David, and one sister, Mrs. Margaret Rollins, together with the parents.
-------------------------------------------
You likely know the story of the Luna Theater in Battle Creek. It was built by David Warnock and brought to prominence by Joe Warnock. Warnock had advanced music education and experience with John Phillip Sousa's band. He organized and directed bands and orchestras in Battle Creek. One of his students, Alvin Etler, became an accomplished and respected musician. Attached is a bio prepared from research into his life. Alvin would have been my grandfather Bert's cousin. Alvin's mother was Mary H. Smith. One of her cousins was Robert L. Smith who lived northeast of Battle Creek. With his wife Bethany and daughter Isabella Smith they operated (and I believe still do operate) a small museum which features 1/3 (or is it ½) scale wooden dolls that were made by Robert. Perhaps you have visited there.
Anyway, a few years ago I was fortunate to connect with Alvin's daughter Margaret (Peg) Etler in Springfield VA. We are vacationing to DC on June 12 and I plan to meet Peg Etler there again. She knows so little of her father's history and genealogy and I have been helping her as I am able. I am looking for a special photograph that I have seen somewhere, but which I cannot now find. It is a photograph of the Battle Creek Military Band posed on the porch steps of the David Warnock house in the early 1920s. Centered in the photo and obviously featured by the band's director Joe Warnock is a small boy holding an oboe. I now know that this boy is almost certainly Alvin Etler. I would like to get this photograph to Peg and to Alvin's other descendants. So, if you could look for this photograph in the places where I suspect you will know to look, I am hoping that you will find it.
The Warnock house is now the Inn at Battle Creek.
Joseph David Warnock was the son of pioneer parents, David and Mary Ferguson Warnock, and born Jan. 25, 1888, on a farm southwest of Battle Creek, Iowa. He passed away August 7, 1951, in the local hospital where he had gone approximately one-half hour earlier to seek medical assistance.
As a child, Mr. Warnock's great love of music and nature's sublime beauty became apparent. He fell victim to asthma and frequent attacks of pneumonia and doctors insisted on a change of climate if his life was to be spared. He attended the public schools at Castle Rock, Colorado, graduating with the Class of 1909 taking an active part in music and debates during his high school days.
During his years in Colorado, he was employed in the First National Bank at Castle Rock and also conducted scouting parties. Following his graduation from high school, he enrolled in the Denver College of Music to major in violin and clarinet under the tutelage of a famous violinist. He was a member of the Orpheum Circuit Symphony and participated in grand opera productions.
After his graduation, he returned to Battle Creek entering into the movie business with Frank Campbell as his business associate. Later he went into business on his own in a place adjoining Viggo M. Brock Agency. In 1914 he and his father built the Luna theatre, which he operated until his death.For many years the Luna Theatre was known as the only small town first run theatre in the United States.
HIs outstanding leadership was perhaps most noticeable when he served as executive chairman in the planning and directing of Battle Creek's famous three-day celebration in 1940 which drew crowds averaging 20,000 daily.
He was a member of the Masonic Lodge, the Maple Valley American Post 364 and the Battle Creek Commercial Club.
Services were held in the Presbyterian Church with Rev. Carl Sinning officiating in the absence of Rev. Albert C. J. Kellow.
Survivors include his daughter, Mrs. Cherie Rymal of Leadville, Colorado; 2 sisters, Frances Spotts of Battle Creek; and Mrs. Alvin Spotts of Los Angeles, California; an uncle, Lowry Warnock of Sioux City; an aunt, Mrs. Retta Warnock of Battle Creek; nieces and nephews and cousins and a host of friends.
Preceding him in death were 2 brothers, Eugene and David, and one sister, Mrs. Margaret Rollins, together with the parents.
-------------------------------------------
You likely know the story of the Luna Theater in Battle Creek. It was built by David Warnock and brought to prominence by Joe Warnock. Warnock had advanced music education and experience with John Phillip Sousa's band. He organized and directed bands and orchestras in Battle Creek. One of his students, Alvin Etler, became an accomplished and respected musician. Attached is a bio prepared from research into his life. Alvin would have been my grandfather Bert's cousin. Alvin's mother was Mary H. Smith. One of her cousins was Robert L. Smith who lived northeast of Battle Creek. With his wife Bethany and daughter Isabella Smith they operated (and I believe still do operate) a small museum which features 1/3 (or is it ½) scale wooden dolls that were made by Robert. Perhaps you have visited there.
Anyway, a few years ago I was fortunate to connect with Alvin's daughter Margaret (Peg) Etler in Springfield VA. We are vacationing to DC on June 12 and I plan to meet Peg Etler there again. She knows so little of her father's history and genealogy and I have been helping her as I am able. I am looking for a special photograph that I have seen somewhere, but which I cannot now find. It is a photograph of the Battle Creek Military Band posed on the porch steps of the David Warnock house in the early 1920s. Centered in the photo and obviously featured by the band's director Joe Warnock is a small boy holding an oboe. I now know that this boy is almost certainly Alvin Etler. I would like to get this photograph to Peg and to Alvin's other descendants. So, if you could look for this photograph in the places where I suspect you will know to look, I am hoping that you will find it.
The Warnock house is now the Inn at Battle Creek.
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