c. 1843-1928
Nellie (Ellen) Gray Grashof was a singer, mezzo-soprano, who had a 75 year career. She said, at age 83, “It is music that has kept me alive.” Her death in 1928 ran on the front page of the Newark Evening News.
Nellie Gray was born in North Carolina, but came to Newark early in life, about age 4, where her father Robert was head of Grace Church day school. She often sang in the Harmonic Society with the church. She studied music with Professor Schmidt in Newark, as well as in New York.
The Newark News reports that Trinity Church (Cathedral) came to see Nellie but she was busy playing with a rolling hoop and “it was difficult to persuade them that the child was really a singer of ability.” Nevertheless, she became a member of the Trinity Church quartet from 1860 to 1867. The Newark News wrote that her voice brought “solace” during the Civil War.
Nellie married Morris Grashof in 1868. They moved to New York City, but he died after 14 months and she returned to Newark with her song, singing at Trinity for 4 more years. In 1871, The People’s Paper wrote, “There is a old voice still here, we refer to Mrs. Grashof. Her voice is individual, sympathetic peculiar…clear and true and earnest.”
Nellie soon became involved with the choir at B’Nai Jeshurun for 25 years, missing only 2 services in that time. Nellie also was part of many opera performances at the Newark Opera House (Halsey and Market), including playing the Queen in Bohemian Girl.
Nellie was an ongoing supporter of the Orpheus Club and an long-time active member of the Rubenstein Club of New York, with whom she took part in a concert in 1927, at age 83. “Drink To Me Only With Thine Eyes” was her favorite song which the Newark News reported she sang just before death to a visitor. At the time of her death, her home was 15 Pennsylvania Ave, in Newark. In 1880, she’s shown at 44 Fair Street.
Bibliography
Kuhn, George. “Newark Woman Singer is Active at Eighty Three” Newark Sunday Call. May 1, 1927.
“Mrs. Nellie Gray Grashof” New York Times Oct 4, 1928
G-25, Grashof Mortiz and wife, Newark News Morgue, Newark Library
Caswell, Mina. “Ministry of Music”
“Nellie Gray Grashof Singer Dead at 85” Jersey Journal Oct 4, 1928
“Nellie Gray Sings Self to Last Sleep of Death” Newark News Oct 3 1928, front page
“Musical Matters” The Peoples Paper Sept 4, 1871