Sacramento County
Biographies
W. H. KINROSS
W. H. KINROSS, professor of voice
culture and vocal music, was born in Stirling,
Scotland, December 21,
1846. His father, Henry Kinross, was precentor
in the Erskine U. P. Church, Stirling. The
subject of this sketch attended the schools of his native town. His uncle urged him to enter his bank and receive a practical
business education, but young Kinross wanted to see the world, and came to Canada. It
was during the civil war, and after a short time he came to Rochester,
New York, where he enlisted in the First
New York Cavalry; he was under age and the major of the regiment had to sign
his enlistment as guardian before he could be accepted. He participated in
the battle of Gettysburg, and in the campaign through
Shenandoah Valley, Winchester,
Cedar Creek, and others. He was wounded three times. He served as
"high private" three years and four months and after the close of the
war he returned home. Having a taste for music and having a good voice, he
was persuaded to cultivate it, and pursued his musical studies two years in London
under "Randegger." He returned to America
and came to Washington expecting
to get a position in one of the departments, and while there accepted an
engagement with the Riching English Opera troupe in 1867. He
continued in English opera as chorus singer, prompter, second baritone and
principal baritone eleven years, and sang with Parepa
Rosa, Kellogg, and other leading prima donnas. He came to the Pacific
coast in 1878 and was assistant conductor of the great May festival in San
Francisco. He conducted all the chorus rehearsals
there and at other places throughout the State and at Portland. While
in the latter city he received flattering offers to locate there, which he
accepted, and was prominently identified with musical interests there for some
years. In 1887 he came to Oakland
and remained there until 1889, when he was induced to come to the capital city
and accepted the leadership of the McNeill music club, organized for him by the
late John McNeill, Esq. January 1, 1890, he was also appointed director of
the Turner Harmonie Society. Prof. Kinross was
united in marriage February 28, 1889, to Miss Addie Casedy,
a native of Siskiyou County, California. She
is also a fine musician, both vocal and instrumental.
Transcribed 10-17-07 Marilyn R. Pankey.
Source: Davis, Hon. Win. J., An Illustrated History of Sacramento County, California. Page 778. Lewis Publishing Company. 1890.
© 2007 Marilyn R. Pankey.
Sacramento County Biographies