He achieved renown for his arrangements of sacred music for the piano and organ.
He was educated in public schools and in music with private tutors.
At age 17, he began composing original hymns and arranging musical settings for psalms.
His work, The Storm, a display piece for the Auditorium organ, is a medley of songs with sound effects.
It portrays an approaching Civil War battle followed by the return of peace as the storm subsides.