Frederick Augustus Fillmore (May 15, 1856 – November 16, 1925) was an American composer and music publisher, and the co-founder of the Fillmore Music House.

Frederick A. Fillmore
Frederick A. Fillmore, circa 1914
Born(1856-05-15)May 15, 1856
DiedNovember 16, 1925(1925-11-16) (aged 69)
Occupation(s)Composer, music publisher
SpouseLaura Fillmore

Composer and publisher

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Fillmore was the vice-president of the Fillmore Music House which he co-founded with his brother, James H. Fillmore, in 1874 in Cincinnati, Ohio.[1] He was the composer of over 200 church hymns and the editor of two hymnals published by the firm.[2][3]

At the time of his death, his most popular hymn was "Seeds of Promise" (1923), which was also published under its first line "O Scatter Seeds of Loving Deeds".[2] Fillmore co-wrote the song with gospel lyricist Jessie H. Brown.[4] According to the Hymnary.org website, it is included in 59 different church hymnals.[5]

Prohibitionist

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Fillmore was a special contributor to "Fillmore's Prohibition Songs", a 224-page collection of patriotic songs published by the Fillmore Music House to provide music appropriate for prohibitionist meetings and campaigns.[6]

In 1910 he made an unsuccessful run for Ohio state representative on the Prohibition Party ticket.[7]

Personal life

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A relative of Millard Fillmore, the 13th U.S. president,[8] Frederick Fillmore was the superintendent of Franklin Community Sunday School in 1923.[9]

Fillmore died November 16, 1925, in Terrace Park, Ohio, following a hospital operation. He was survived by his wife, Laura, and their two sons and two daughters.[2]

Publications

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  • Heart Songs: For Sunday Schools (Fillmore Brothers, Cincinnati, Ohio; New York 1893) [1]
  • Songs of Rejoicing: a collection of new songs for the Sunday-school (Fillmore Brothers, Cincinnati, Ohio 1888) [2]

References

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  1. ^ Segal, Alfred (December 20, 1951). "Fillmore Music Shop Sold to New York Firm". Newspapers.com. The Cincinnati Post. p. 30. Retrieved March 26, 2024.
  2. ^ a b c "Life's Score: Finished By Fillmore". Newspapers.com. Cincinnati Enquirer. November 16, 1925. p. 22. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
  3. ^ "Fred A. Fillmore › Tunes | Hymnary.org". hymnary.org. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
  4. ^ "Tune: [O scatter seeds of loving deeds]". Hymnary.org. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
  5. ^ "Fred A. Fillmore › Tunes | Hymnary.org". hymnary.org. Retrieved March 26, 2024.
  6. ^ "Prohibition Literature". Newspapers.com. Greene County Herald. July 9, 1909. p. 4. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
  7. ^ "Hunt and Edmonson Lead in Official Returns". Newspapers.com. The Cincinnati Post. November 18, 1910. p. 10. Retrieved March 26, 2024.
  8. ^ "Weekly Bladen High School News". Newspapers.com. The Bladen Enterprise. December 25, 1925. p. 6. Retrieved March 26, 2024.
  9. ^ "Terrace Park". Newspapers.com. Cincinnati Enquirer. April 22, 1923. p. 85. Retrieved March 26, 2024.
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