Santa Barbara County Biographies

PROF. JOSEPH E. GREEN

Submitted by Peggy Hooper

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm


PROF. JOSEPH E. GREEN, the leading musician of Santa Barbara, was born at 
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, in 1846, of English descent, his grandfather being one 
of the first settlers of Ontario. Mr. Green was educated at Hamilton, and in early 
life developed a decided talent for music, the cornet being his favorite instrument. 
At the age of ten years he was dressed in full uniform and a member of the Artillery 
Battery Band, and later, at the age of fifteen years, he traveled through the United 
States as soloist on the cornet. In 1867 he was leader of the Hamilton City Band, 
from which was formed the Thirteenth Battalion Band, which is recognized as the 
best band in Canada. Having a fancy for travel he left Canada in 1863 as leader of 
the band connected with the Great Overland Circus, and for seven years, with 
different organizations, he traveled through the United States, Mexico and the 
Sandwich Islands. In 1875 he organized the San Francisco City Band, which was 
chosen to escort President Hayes across the bay on his visit to San Francisco in 1879. 
Mr. Green holds a musical diploma from the San Francisco Musical Fund Society. In 
1881 he returned to Ontario and became leader of the Dominion Organ and Piano 
Factory Band, remaining two years, making the band the second best in Canada. He 
returned to San Francisco in 1884, and to Santa Barbara in 1885, where he has since 
resided. He has organized an orchestra and Military Band, at present one of the best in 
Southern California, and for four years has catered to the guests of the Arlington in all 
dances and concert music, and has been the recipient of many presents and letters of 
commendation. 

Mr. Green was married at Santa Barbara, May 26, 1888, to Miss Orisa Clifton, a very 
superior pianist with great natural talent. They have one child, Charlotte, born February 
9, 1889. 

History of Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo and Ventura Counties, California  - by 
C.M. Gidney, Benjamin Brooks, Edwin M. Sheridan, Vol I, II.  -Lewis Publ. Co., 
Chicago, 1917.