Paul Dresser
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Johann Paul Dreiser Jr better known as Paul Dresser (born April 21, 1859 – died January 31, 1906) was an important American songwriter in the late 19th century and early 20th century. He is most noted for composing what would become the state song of Indiana, a song called "On the Banks of the Wabash, Far Away". He was born in Terre Haute, Indiana, into a strict German-American family. He is the older brother of novelist Theodore Dreiser.
Dresser worked as an actor, playwright, songwriter, producer, and music publisher. He composed more than 100 songs on Tin Pan Alley, in New York City. At the peak of his fame, in the 1890s, he was the most popular songwriter in America. He created his own publishing house in 1901 to produce his works.
Despite his fame, he was financially unwise. He gave much of his money away to friends and family, and when his publishing house failed, he was left destitute. He died penniless at the age of 47 in New York City.
Paul Dresser was portrayed in the biopic My Gal Sal by Victor Mature, and he was inducted into the Songwriters' Hall of Fame in 1970
Dresser Drive, a street in the Forest Hills neighborhood of Anderson, Indiana, is named for him.
