DYKN? The McMichaels were well-known music teachers

If you played a string instrument (or even an accordion) in Newark or Licking County anytime after 1930, you were probably taught by Bill or Florence McMichael.

Bill came to Newark from Youngstown and began teaching young people banjo, guitar, string bass and mandolin.

My brother, Eddie, took banjo lessons at the Hudson Avenue Studio in the mid- to late-1930s. He paid $1 per lesson, which was a lot of money to a teenager in the mid-30s. After 60 lessons, Mr. McMichael gave him the banjo.

Mr. McMichael taught his wife, Florence, everything he knew, and she soon became an instructor. It was their feeling that regular practice helped young people grow into productive, self-disciplined individuals.

Starting in 1933 and every year thereafter until World War II interfered, the McMichaels would take about 30 of their most promising students to National Conventions. They competed as soloists as well as in small group ensembles.

The McMichaels also had an accordion band as well as an orchestra that consisted only of string instruments, with as many as 70 student members.

In 1941, they opened McMichael Music Store at 17 W. Church St. Bill operated the store and Florence took over the teaching. Gibson Co. was the number one producer of stringed instruments, and Bill was its number one dealer. The store also sold Baldwin pianos and had a large selection of phonograph records, radios and sheet music.

In 1955, the store moved to 28 S. Third St., where it added television sales. After Bill's death in 1972, the store closed.

Florence kept up private lessons at 196 W. Main St. until 1983. She taught lessons for 50 years, teaching second and third generation Licking County aspiring musicians.

Jerry Satterfield is a lifelong Newark resident, retired from Rockwell, and volunteers for the Licking County Historical Society.

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What is the connection between The Pure Oil Company and Dawes Arboretum?