"A number of mechanics formed the Mechanics Band in 1881. For 43 years, until 1924, the group played for most of the celebrations in the city and county. In the 1880's, this group gained a state-wide reputation and not only entertained local citizens, but filled engagements in towns and cities throughout the state. Victor Greenwald was the leading spirit behind the formation. Nightly in his barbershop the young musicians would gather and discuss the feasibility of starting a band. Charles Proxmire became leader in 1893 and held that post until the unit was disbanded in 1924. However, 1938 saw a revival of the group, which again took the name of Mechanics Band."

"The Mechanics Band also held annual minstrel shows at the old Chestnut Street Theatre and were also excellent crowd pleasers. Members of the cast included Jim McQuire who not only played a banjo and sang but also performed the stunt of burning a paper funnel balanced on his nose! 'Cot' Denton, proclaimed by many as 'the most professional amateur' of the day was also a cast member as were George Wyman, Lyndon Showalter, Leo Bininger and Charles Proxmire.
Clara Throckmorton appeared on several occasions with her husband Harley in their act 'the Musical Mortons,' Harley was a professional, having spent eight years with the John Vogel Show and one year woth Al G Fields. Together the 'Musical Mortons' captivated audiences with such favorite songs as 'I Got the Rheumatiz' and 'The Green Grass Grew All Around.'
One of the Mechanics shows was staged on an outdoor platform at old Eagle Park, just off Lincoln Avanue, west of the Hocking River. Several thousand watched the performance from the grandstand and bleachers on a Fourth of July.
Another show took the group to Logan via a Hocking Valley passenger train. Unfortunately no one considered the fact that there were no return trips at night. Finally a yard engine was chartered and their 'coach' was a boxcar, but all remembered only the sell-out crowd at Logan's Old Remple Opera House.

Source:Fairfield Heritage Quarterly, Vol. 9, No. 4 Fall 1987, Author Ginny Fetters


Formed in 1881, Folded in 1924, Revived in 1938
"Lancaster has ever been famous for outstanding bands, composed, for the most part, of local musicians.
The Mechanics Band, in the 1880's, gained a state-wide reputation and, not only entertained local citizens, but filled engagements in towns and cities throughout the state.
Members of the group in 1888 included: Wm. F. Getz, Bass; Louis Geis, Baritone; Will Sears, 1st Tenor; Worth Prentice, Solo Alto; Seigfried Urban, 1st Alto; James Sears, 1st Bb Cornet; Charles Zeisler, Solo Bb Cornet; Ed. Miesse, Solo Eb Cornet; Albert Geis, Eb Cornet; Harvey Dollison, Eb Clarinet; George Myers, Snare Drum; Herman Gerken, Bass Drum; Will Lewis, Drum Major; Louis Geis, Leader. Worth Prentice was President and Will Sears Secretary-treasurer.
Others who were in the Mechanics Band, organized here in September 1881 were Will Todhunter, Gurney Nixon, Ed Stropel, Theodore Proxmire, Charles Proxmire, Harry Ziegler, Charles Bope, Marion Wolfe, Ed Dum, Dave Kistler, Bob Ruddick, Harley Dum, George Rabe, Williard Guseman and Hutch Hause, who was drum major.
The Mechanics Band enjoyed a career of 43 years, playing for all celebrations in the city and county. Ed Schneider was the first director. In 1893 Charles Proxmire became leader, holding that post until the unit was disbanded. The late Dr. Will Lewis served as one of the early drum majors.
Charles Proxmire then organized the Liberty Band in 1925, but in 1938 this organization again took the name of the Mechanics Band.
A number of mechanics, imbued with the idea of keeping Lancaster abreast of the times, formed the band.
Victor Greenwald was the leading spirit behind the formation. Greenwald operated a barber shop in 1881 here and nightly the young musicians would gather in his shop and discuss the advisability of starting a band.
The original band members were also Will Jacob, and JOhn Ebner; Will Sears; Victor V Greenewald; Louis Geis, Fred Zeisler, Elsworth Prentice; Charles Zeisler; D A HIll; Henry Hoehn; Frank Geis, Cap. Davis, George E Roth and John Jeffries."

Source:Lancaster Eagle-Gazette Sesquicentenial Edition, June 3, 1950


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