Oscar Andrew McMains

Index
1900 U.S. Census, Mahaska County, IA	1910 U.S. Census, Mahaska County, IA
1920 U.S. Census, Mahaska County, IA	1930 U.S. Census, Mahaska County, IA
Descendants of Oscar A. McMains	Source Notes
Photos from Newspaper Clippings

Oscar A. McMains was born in Nebraska. His father was Andrew McMains, son of Robert McMains and Summerfield Stringfellow. He was born very late, as his oldest sibling (Margaret) was born in 1858, 24 years before his own birth (1882). According to the 1900 census, Oscar was one of 14 children born to this family. Eight of these were still living as of 1900. Oscar likely met his wife to be, Vernice E. Moore, in Iowa. In 1900, she was living with her family, in Harrison Township, Mahaska County, IA. Oscar and Vernice were married in 1908, probably in Mahaska County. Their son, William, was not born until 1927. I don't believe he had any siblings. Oscar and Vernice moved around within Mahaska County. In 1910, the young couple lived in White Oak Township. In 1920, they lived in Vernice's home township of Harrison. In 1930, they lived with their son, William, in Oskaloosa. William Oscar McMains, was also known by his nickname of "Bill". In the 1930 census, he is referred to as "Billy O. McMains". Bill was a musician who played the organ, and composed musical arrangements for the organ. He married some time after 1940 to "Susan A." As of 1960, William still resided in Oskaloosa. His death occurred in Arlington, Virginia. His residence was located at 4600 S. Four Mile Run Drive, in Arlington. Thanks to Darilee Ibsen and Debbie Cupp for contributing their research to this project.
*Descendants of Oscar A. McMains* Generation No. 1 1. OSCAR A. MCMAINS¹ was born November 20, 1882 in Nebraska², son of Andrew McMains and Pheobe M. Bodenhamer. He died August 1963 in Iowa. He married VERNICE E. MOORE³ December 24, 1908, daughter of HENRY MOORE and HARRIET MCCAFFREY. She was born April 1888 in Wright, Mahaska County, Iowa, and died Deceased. More About OSCAR A. MCMAINS 19: Census 1: 1930, Oskaloosa Township, Mahaska County, IA⁴ Census 2: 1910, White Oak Township, Mahaska County, IA⁵ Census 3: 1920, Harrison Township, Mahaska County, IA⁶ More About VERNICE E. MOORE: Census 1: 1930, Oskaloosa Township, Mahaska County, IA⁷ Census 2: 1900, Harrison Township, Mahaska County, IA⁸ Census 3: 1910, White Oak Township, Mahaska County, IA⁹ Census 4: 1920, Harrison Township, Mahaska County, IA¹⁰ More About OSCAR MCMAINS and VERNICE MOORE: Marriage: December 24, 1908 Child of OSCAR MCMAINS and VERNICE MOORE is: i. WILLIAM O.² MCMAINS^{11,12,13,14,15,16,17}, b. February 19, 1927, Iowa; d. August 1976, Maryland. More About WILLIAM O. MCMAINS: Census: 1930, Oskaloosa Township, Mahaska County, IA¹⁸ College: Central College, Pella, Marion County, IA AKA: Bill O. McMains Endnotes 1. Social Security Death Index, Rootsweb.Com, OSCAR MCMAINS 20 Nov 1882 Aug 1963 (Iowa) (none specified) 479-01-3387 Iowa. 2. John Hewes, Note, 1910 census lists birth location as Kansas. 1920 and 1930 census lists Nebraska. 3. Richard Gess, The Descendants of James and Nancy Haverfield, Rootsweb World Connect, [Provides last name of Moore: parents are listed as Henry W. Moore, Harriet B McCaffrey]. 4, 7, 18 United States Census Bureau, 1930 U.S. Census Mahaska County, IA, (On-line images, Ancestry.com). 5, 9 United States Census Bureau, 1910 U.S. Census Mahaska County, IA, (On-line images, Genealogy.com). 6, 10 United States Census Bureau, 1920 U.S. Census Mahaska County, IA, (On-line images, Genealogy.com). 8. United States Census Bureau, 1900 U.S. Census Mahaska County, IA, (On-line images, Genealogy.com). 11. McMains Research and Collaboration Site Guestbook, I found a news article in the June 21, 1960 Guthrie County, Iowa newspaper, "The Guthrian" referencing the following: "Iowa Organist Bill McMains, 33, of Oskaloosa, will play the organ at the Republican National Convention in Chicago next Month. He played for both political conventions in 1952 and 1956. McMains explained the reason he wasn't playing for the Democrats at their Los Angeles convention in that they have another type organ installed and one of his company's organs probably will not be put in. McMains is hired by the Conn Organ Corp., to play at political conventions." Does anyone know if or how he might fit into the family tree? Apparently, he started his organ playing career at the age of 12 playing at a roller rink. He was hired while in college (Central College) at the age of 25. Darilee Ibsen. 12. Social Security Death Index, Rootsweb.Com, WILLIAM MCMAINS 19 Feb 1927 Aug 1976 (not specified) 20740 (College Park, Prince Georges, MD) 483-26-1095 Iowa. 13. Jack Moelmann, compiler, 1955-2002 Index of Articles Published in The Tibia, The Bombarde, and Theatre Organ 2003 Edition, (American Theatre Organ Society, 2003 http://www.atos.org/PDF/MasterIndex2003.pdf), 22, McMains, William O. "Bill" 1976 Dec 52 [Obitaury Found in this volume of THEATRE ORGAN]. 14. Roger McNair, Music in the Theatre Organ Style, http://www.theatreorgans.com/theatrestyle.htm, Console Up! Vintage Theatre Styles for the Modern Organist, arranged by William McMains, 1967, published by Edwin H. Morris & Co., distributed by Hal Leonard Publishing Corporation. This is a series of at least 4 books: Instruction Book1, Instruction Book2, Pop Themes From the Classics, and Console Up. These four books were written to provide the home organist the sounds and patterns that were the basic bag of tricks in the hey-day of the first theatre organists. Recordings of some arrangements, played exactly as written, were provided to assure you that these arrangements are authentic.. 15. http://www.gulfcst.com/eorg-l/digests/2000/September/digest636L.html, EORG-L Digest #636L, Monday, September 25, 2000, I would suggest you try to find Bill McMains Vintage Theatre Organ course, whichI believe was published by Hal Leonard. [This source is to establish some of the works that Bill McMains published]. 16. http://www.pipechat.org/archives/1999/may/digest868.html, PipeChat Digest #868, Tuesday, May 18, 1999, Back in the 70s, Bill McMains advertised a hand-held organ (no flames please) that anyone could play. Bill was seated at the Lorin WhitneyRobt.-Morton.. 17. John Hewes, Note, Other works composed by William McMains: Vintage Theatre Styles for the Modern Organist by William McMains Vintage Sheet Music Song Book, 1967. 19. Correspondence from Darilee Ibsen, He was a history major at Central college, "Pella". He's described as a "husky, 220-pounder" that has always lived in Oskaloosa. The Chicago convention he played at in 1952 was held at the amphitheater at the Chicago stockyards. This is per the June 26, 1952 Iowa City Press. There was no organ there, so Conn Organ Company built a special organ just for the convention and hired Bill McMains to play it. Bill McMains agent at that time was Ben Young. Ben Young was a friend to someone at the national Republican co-organizing committee. Bill McMains attended the American Federation of Musicians national convention at Asbury Park, New Jersey, in 1948. When he showed up there, he didn't have any hotel reservations. This problem came to the attention of James Petrillo, President of the International Federation of Musicians. He allowed Bill to stay in the Petrillo suite. They became good friends. These connections helped him to be selected for the organist at the conventions. In the Harlan Tribune (Harlan, Iowa) Feb 15, 1957, There's a large advertisment saying Bill McMains, Nationally Known Organist will play music on "monday only." The article says he's playing at Jack's Skating Rink, Monday, Feb 25th. On the 22nd of Feb, 1957 (Harlan Tribune), he's shown sitting with a chimpanzee, this is to also advertise his playing at Jack's Skating Rink. There was to be a free home show? This article says, "Bill McMains of Des Moines... He had an appearance at Dave Garroway's "Today" television show and was sitting with "J. Fred Mugs" the chimpanzee. Apparently, this photo was taken the year before Jack's Skating Rink and the press threw it in there to liven things up. When he was playing at Jack's Rink, several people came up and asked when the monkey was going to play. Bill didn't know about the article showing him with the monkey, so he was a little surprised. Aparently, he had a humorous side too. One article says there was a fire that broke out at the 1952 Democratic "parley". Bill broke into "When smoke gets in your eyes" on his organ. When the attractive U.S. Senator, Margaret Chase Smith took the speaker's platform, Bill played "Oh, you beautiful doll." He learned later the senator didn't exactly appreciate the tribute! In this article, it says his "offical" address is, Palos Park, Illinois. The organ he played was called the Connasonata Organ. His parents, Mr. & Mrs. O. A. McMains live in Oskaloosa, Iowa. His organ instructor was named Myrtle Buffington Thompson (it looks like Thompson, the "son" is kind of smeared). Myrtle was an outstanding student of the noted Frederick Knight Logan of Osklaloosa, Iowa. Quote: "Logan's music was published by Forster(?) Music Co., Chicago, which this summer will publish the first of seven books by McMains, The Treasury or Styling for the Home Organist. The series will concentrate on arrangements for home organs." This article describes him as a good-natured, pleasant appearing, 200-pounder with curly and slightly red hair. No mention of siblings or a wife & children. He played his music for the Republican convention at the "Cow Palace" in San Francisco That's about all I've found out so far. Darilee

Oscar A. McMains was born in Nebraska. His father was Andrew McMains, son of Robert McMains and Summerfield Stringfellow. He was born very late, as his oldest sibling (Margaret) was born in 1858, 24 years before his own birth (1882). According to the 1900 census, Oscar was one of 14 children born to this family. Eight of these were still living as of 1900.

Oscar likely met his wife to be, Vernice E. Moore, in Iowa. In 1900, she was living with her family, in Harrison Township, Mahaska County, IA. Oscar and Vernice were married in 1908, probably in Mahaska County. Their son, William, was not born until 1927. I don't believe he had any siblings.

Oscar and Vernice moved around within Mahaska County. In 1910, the young couple lived in White Oak Township. In 1920, they lived in Vernice's home township of Harrison. In 1930, they lived with their son, William, in Oskaloosa.

William Oscar McMains, was also known by his nickname of "Bill". In the 1930 census, he is referred to as "Billy O. McMains". Bill was a musician who played the organ, and composed musical arrangements for the organ. He married some time after 1940 to "Susan A." As of 1960, William still resided in Oskaloosa. His death occurred in Arlington, Virginia. His residence was located at 4600 S. Four Mile Run Drive, in Arlington.

Thanks to Darilee Ibsen and Debbie Cupp for contributing their research to this project.

Descendants of Oscar A. McMains

Generation No. 1

1. OSCAR A. MCMAINS¹ was born November 20, 1882 in Nebraska², son of Andrew McMains and Pheobe M. Bodenhamer. He died August 1963 in Iowa. He married VERNICE E. MOORE³ December 24, 1908, daughter of HENRY MOORE and HARRIET MCCAFFREY. She was born April 1888 in Wright, Mahaska County, Iowa, and died Deceased.

More About OSCAR A. MCMAINS 19:

Census 1: 1930, Oskaloosa Township, Mahaska County, IA⁴

Census 2: 1910, White Oak Township, Mahaska County, IA⁵

Census 3: 1920, Harrison Township, Mahaska County, IA⁶

More About VERNICE E. MOORE:

Census 1: 1930, Oskaloosa Township, Mahaska County, IA⁷

Census 2: 1900, Harrison Township, Mahaska County, IA⁸

Census 3: 1910, White Oak Township, Mahaska County, IA⁹

Census 4: 1920, Harrison Township, Mahaska County, IA¹⁰

More About OSCAR MCMAINS and VERNICE MOORE:

Marriage: December 24, 1908

Child of OSCAR MCMAINS and VERNICE MOORE is:

i. WILLIAM O.² MCMAINS^{11,12,13,14,15,16,17}, b. February 19, 1927, Iowa; d. August 1976, Maryland.

More About WILLIAM O. MCMAINS:

Census: 1930, Oskaloosa Township, Mahaska County, IA¹⁸

College: Central College, Pella, Marion County, IA

AKA: Bill O. McMains

Endnotes

1. Social Security Death Index, Rootsweb.Com, OSCAR MCMAINS 20 Nov 1882 Aug 1963 (Iowa) (none specified) 479-01-3387 Iowa.

2. John Hewes, Note, 1910 census lists birth location as Kansas. 1920 and 1930 census lists Nebraska.

3. Richard Gess, The Descendants of James and Nancy Haverfield, Rootsweb World Connect, [Provides last name of Moore: parents are listed as Henry W. Moore, Harriet B McCaffrey].

4, 7, 18 United States Census Bureau, 1930 U.S. Census Mahaska County, IA, (On-line images, Ancestry.com).

5, 9 United States Census Bureau, 1910 U.S. Census Mahaska County, IA, (On-line images, Genealogy.com).

6, 10 United States Census Bureau, 1920 U.S. Census Mahaska County, IA, (On-line images, Genealogy.com).

8. United States Census Bureau, 1900 U.S. Census Mahaska County, IA, (On-line images, Genealogy.com).

11. McMains Research and Collaboration Site Guestbook, I found a news article in the June 21, 1960 Guthrie County, Iowa newspaper, "The Guthrian" referencing the following: "Iowa Organist Bill McMains, 33, of Oskaloosa, will play the organ at the Republican National Convention in Chicago next Month. He played for both political conventions in 1952 and 1956. McMains explained the reason he wasn't playing for the Democrats at their Los Angeles convention in that they have another type organ installed and one of his company's organs probably will not be put in. McMains is hired by the Conn Organ Corp., to play at political conventions." Does anyone know if or how he might fit into the family tree? Apparently, he started his organ playing career at the age of 12 playing at a roller rink. He was hired while in college (Central College) at the age of 25. Darilee Ibsen.

12. Social Security Death Index, Rootsweb.Com, WILLIAM MCMAINS 19 Feb 1927 Aug 1976 (not specified) 20740 (College Park, Prince Georges, MD) 483-26-1095 Iowa.

13. Jack Moelmann, compiler, 1955-2002 Index of Articles Published in The Tibia, The Bombarde, and Theatre Organ 2003 Edition, (American Theatre Organ Society, 2003 http://www.atos.org/PDF/MasterIndex2003.pdf), 22, McMains, William O. "Bill" 1976 Dec 52 [Obitaury Found in this volume of THEATRE ORGAN].

14. Roger McNair, Music in the Theatre Organ Style, http://www.theatreorgans.com/theatrestyle.htm, Console Up! Vintage Theatre Styles for the Modern Organist, arranged by William McMains, 1967, published by Edwin H. Morris & Co., distributed by Hal Leonard Publishing Corporation. This is a series of at least 4 books: Instruction Book1, Instruction Book2, Pop Themes From the Classics, and Console Up. These four books were written to provide the home organist the sounds and patterns that were the basic bag of tricks in the hey-day of the first theatre organists. Recordings of some arrangements, played exactly as written, were provided to assure you that these arrangements are authentic..

15. http://www.gulfcst.com/eorg-l/digests/2000/September/digest636L.html, EORG-L Digest #636L, Monday, September 25, 2000, I would suggest you try to find Bill McMains Vintage Theatre Organ course, whichI believe was published by Hal Leonard. [This source is to establish some of the works that Bill McMains published].

16. http://www.pipechat.org/archives/1999/may/digest868.html, PipeChat Digest #868, Tuesday, May 18, 1999, Back in the 70s, Bill McMains advertised a hand-held organ (no flames please) that anyone could play. Bill was seated at the Lorin WhitneyRobt.-Morton..

17. John Hewes, Note, Other works composed by William McMains: Vintage Theatre Styles for the Modern Organist by William McMains Vintage Sheet Music Song Book, 1967.

19. Correspondence from Darilee Ibsen, He was a history major at Central college, "Pella". He's described as a "husky, 220-pounder" that has always lived in Oskaloosa. The Chicago convention he played at in 1952 was held at the amphitheater at the Chicago stockyards. This is per the June 26, 1952 Iowa City Press. There was no organ there, so Conn Organ Company built a special organ just for the convention and hired Bill McMains to play it. Bill McMains agent at that time was Ben Young. Ben Young was a friend to someone at the national Republican co-organizing committee. Bill McMains attended the American Federation of Musicians national convention at Asbury Park, New Jersey, in 1948. When he showed up there, he didn't have any hotel reservations. This problem came to the attention of James Petrillo, President of the International Federation of Musicians. He allowed Bill to stay in the Petrillo suite. They became good friends. These connections helped him to be selected for the organist at the conventions. In the Harlan Tribune (Harlan, Iowa) Feb 15, 1957, There's a large advertisment saying Bill McMains, Nationally Known Organist will play music on "monday only." The article says he's playing at Jack's Skating Rink, Monday, Feb 25th. On the 22nd of Feb, 1957 (Harlan Tribune), he's shown sitting with a chimpanzee, this is to also advertise his playing at Jack's Skating Rink. There was to be a free home show? This article says, "Bill McMains of Des Moines... He had an appearance at Dave Garroway's "Today" television show and was sitting with "J. Fred Mugs" the chimpanzee. Apparently, this photo was taken the year before Jack's Skating Rink and the press threw it in there to liven things up. When he was playing at Jack's Rink, several people came up and asked when the monkey was going to play. Bill didn't know about the article showing him with the monkey, so he was a little surprised. Aparently, he had a humorous side too. One article says there was a fire that broke out at the 1952 Democratic "parley". Bill broke into "When smoke gets in your eyes" on his organ. When the attractive U.S. Senator, Margaret Chase Smith took the speaker's platform, Bill played "Oh, you beautiful doll." He learned later the senator didn't exactly appreciate the tribute! In this article, it says his "offical" address is, Palos Park, Illinois. The organ he played was called the Connasonata Organ. His parents, Mr. & Mrs. O. A. McMains live in Oskaloosa, Iowa. His organ instructor was named Myrtle Buffington Thompson (it looks like Thompson, the "son" is kind of smeared). Myrtle was an outstanding student of the noted Frederick Knight Logan of Osklaloosa, Iowa. Quote: "Logan's music was published by Forster(?) Music Co., Chicago, which this summer will publish the first of seven books by McMains, *The Treasury or Styling for the Home Organist*. The series will concentrate on arrangements for home organs." This article describes him as a good-natured, pleasant appearing, 200-pounder with curly and slightly red hair. No mention of siblings or a wife & children. He played his music for the Republican convention at the "Cow Palace" in San Francisco That's about all I've found out so far. Darilee

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