Introduction

Biography

John was the son of Will­iam George Fear­is and Re­becca Jane Kopp.

His fa­ther was a suc­cess­ful sing­ing school teach­er, and a paint­er by trade. At a young age, John learned to read mu­sic in his fa­ther’s class­es.

He was pas­sion­at­ely fond of mu­sic, and, tak­ing les­sons on the reed or­gan, he was soon able to play in Sun­day school and church.

Later, he took charge of the church choir, and taught sing­ing class­es in near­by towns. He wrote his first hymn tune at age 16.

He ev­en­tu­al­ly joined the ed­it­or­ial staff of the Choir Lead­er, pub­lished by the Lo­renz Pub­lish­ing Com­pa­ny in Day­ton, Ohio.

Works

• With Heart and Voice, with Ed­mund Lo­renz & H. W. Por­ter (New York: Lo­renz Pub­lish­ing, 1905)