Miss Bessie Todd, widely known teacher of piano in Crestline and Galion Passed away Monday afternoon October 2, 1950, 2:50 p.m. in Galion City Hospital where she has been a patient for the past five weeks. She had been in declining health the past 2 years.
Miss Todd was born in Alliance, February 20, 1873, the only daughter of William and Charlotte Lawson Todd, natives of West Alexander, Pennsylvania . She came to Crestline as a child with her parents and four brothers, Clarence, Joseph, Harold and Dr. H.W. Todd all deceased. Miss Todd was the last surviving member of her immediate family.
Survivors include a nephew Herbert Todd, and a niece, Miss Ralph Eck, both of Van Wert; a cousin, Mrs Charles Edgar of Clayville, Pennsylvania, and a sister in law Mrs. Clarence Todd of Van Wert.
The deceased attended Crestline Schools and was Graduated from Crestline High School wit the class of 1890. A member of a prominent musical family, she followed her natural talent and made an intensive study of the piano. She studied in Detroit before starting her teaching career which covered a period of more than 50 years.
The relationship of Miss Todd to the musical culture of Crestline and Galion , county and nation can scarcely be estimated for her pupils are prominent in musical circles from coast to coast. Outstanding in her profession, she exerted a magnetic influence on beginners , as well as more advanced students. Expertness and technical efficiency in any field is admired, and Miss Todd possessed those qualities, for both her prestige and popularity have grown with the years. She was of a retiring disposition, seeking only to develop talent in others. Her physical stamina and intellectual vitality at her advanced age were remarkable.
For years she maintained two studios, one in her home on South Street in Crestline—The other in Galion, her home city by adoption. Up until April of 1949, whens he suffered a fractured hip in a fall at her home, she conducted classes in piano in the Crestline and Galion Public Schools, for about 15 years, in addition to her private teaching.
She made two trips abroad, the one on the eve of World War I was interrupted shortly after she arrived in Europe, due to mobilization. The second trip made a number of years later was more satisfactory both for study and travel.
Miss Todd was the guest of honor at a Recognition party held in the High School in May of 1946, invitations which were issued to all former pupils and many from great distances were included in the 500 who attended the open house.
Funeral services will be held this Thursday afternoon at 2:30 p.m., at the Snyder Funeral Home , conducted by Rev. R.R. Elliker, pastor of the First Evangelical and Reformed Church in Galion, followed by interment in Fairview Cemetery, Galion Ohio.