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Virgil and Pearl were the parents of seven children. Their names are
Novella, Raphael, Ressie, Estella, Chester, Donald and Virginia.
Virgil and Pearl were both school teacher before their marriage and
continued this profession a few years after their marriage. Virgil's
main occupation was photographer and music teacher and he continued
both of these occupations until his death.
Virgil and his wife and two children moved to Salem, Missouri for a
few months the year of 1911; returning to Casey County that same
year. While there, he taught vocal gospel music and also practiced
his photography. In those days he used an old view camera where he
looked through the rear and covered with a black hood. He worked
under many hardships, including chemicals, and temperature changes.
The viewer showed the subject upside down; also film was slow in
those days, and long exposures were necessary. This accounts for
persons not smiling. To smile and not hold it, or move any part of
the body resulted in a blur.
Until 1880 the tin type picture was predominate. George Eastman,
Rochester, N.Y. invented the dry plate and started marketing it that
year. Eastman had a Kodak Store on Fourth Street, Cincinnati, Ohio.
This is where Virgil ordered most of his supplies.
Virgil was widely known for his teaching of gospel music in churches
or school building. This seemed to be where his heart was, spending
much of his time in organizing church choirs and quartets. He had a
reputation far and wide as an excellent music teacher. He was able to
instill in his children a love for music, which is evident even
today. Virgil's, Rice was his first music teacher. Later he attended
Vaughn's School of Music Nashville Tennessee.
He organized the Casey County singing convention in the 1930's; and
for many years the 1st Sunday in September was a big day in Liberty,
Kentucky when singing groups (mostly choirs) came from far and near.
And because there was no building in town large enough to hold the
singers, the Court House lawn, the Methodist, Christian and Baptist
churches, opened their doors and the singing groups rotated among them.
Virgil was also in the mercantile business for several near
Argyle,Ky. About 1917 he owned and operated a canning factory for
several years furnishing employment for several men and women of the
community. Wages were 10 cents per hour. This was the first canning
factory in Casey Co. He was offered and accepted a job as
Superintendent of a food processing factory at Eubank, Ky. He worked
there a few years then returned to the farm in Casey Co. After the
death of his wife in 1941, Virgil moved to Cincinnati in 1942. He
made his home with his sister, Mrs. Mary Apple and Nephew, Barnell
Apple. In May of 1944 he attended mid-week services at a church
located at Burns and Parkway Sts. (Hartwell) Cincinnati, Ohio. A
quartet he was singing with at that time, usually practiced following
the close of services. This evening they were singing the song
"When I Wake Up in Gloryland." In the middle of the song,
Virgil became ill. The life squad was called, but was unable to
revive him.
Virgil and Pearl were members of Valley Oak Baptist Church, Casey
County and are buried in the church cemetery.
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