Paul Dresser

Biography

Composer, songwriter ("My Gal Sal", "On the Banks of the Wabash" [the official Indiana state song]), author, actor, singer, publisher and producer, educated at St. Meinrad's in Switz City, Indiana during training for the priesthood. He joined a medicine show at 16, then toured in vaudeville as a singer and monologist. In 1885, he was the 'end man' with the Billy Rice Minstrels. He joined the publishing firm of Howley, Haviland & Dresser, and then he formed his own firm. His other popular-song compositions include "Wide Wings", "The Letter That Never Came", "The Blue and the Gray", "Just Tell Them That You Saw Me", "Once Ev'ry Year", "The Curse of the Dreamer", "The Pardon Came Too Late"Don't Tell Her That You Love Her", "Your Mother Wants You Home, Boy", "Bethlehem", "The Outcast Unknown", "Mr. Volunteer", and "I Was Looking for My Boy, She Said".