Bertha Estelle Merritt Thompson Casey

Description:	Bertha Estelle Merritt Thompson Casey (December 20, 1874 - October 21, 1943). She was the daughter of William R. Merritt (September 19, 1850 - June 22, 1939) and Abigail Shipman Merritt (1853 - 1930). According to Barbara Stauch her aunt, Bertha Estelle Merritt Thompson Casey (December 20, 1874 - October 21, 1943) was an accomplished musician and composer. When she was five years old a man with a piano on the back of his wagon stopped by trying to sell the piano. Grandfather said he wasn’t interested in purchasing a piano, but invited the man in for dinner. While they were eating they heard wonderful music. Bertha had crawled up into the wagon and was playing a tune with both hands, not just picking out notes, but really playing. Grandfather bought the piano and arranged for Bertha to receive piano lessons, first from local teachers then elsewhere. Bertha performed and composed and became famous. However, she needed someone to help write the notes of her composition and I remember them staying with us at the house. I believe John Philip Sousa performed some of her work. She married in 1895, had a daughter (Berniece Thompson Caven Moore (July 13, 1896 - October 19, 1980) and stopped performing. She divorced. Her second husband worked for the interurban and she had a pass to ride all over the state. She loved to travel. She was also an accomplished seamstress and sewed the clothes for the mannequins at Wasson’s Department Store in Indianapolis. Grandfather had a produce wagon that he took to Indianapolis. There he became friends with Mr. Wolf of Wasson’s Department Store (Walter Wolf & Charles Efroymson bought the company in 1912). Bertha could see a picture of a garment and sew it and make patterns for it. I remember she made me and my sister a wine colored jacket with fabric-covered buttons.
Origin:	1930
Source:	http://avtp.ent.sirsi.net/client/default/search/results?qu=Bertha+Estelle+Merritt+Thompson+Casey&te=ASSET
Collection:	Avon-Washington Township Public Library
Subjects:	Merritt Family

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