Harry Von Tilzer

American Composer (July 8, 1872 to January 10, 1946).

Along with brothers Albert Von Tilzer and Will Von Tilzer, authored many popular compositions during the ragtime era. His brother Wilbur (Will) was long time general manager of the Harry Von Tilzer Music Company.

He ran away and joined a traveling circus at age 14, where he made his new name by adding 'Von' to his mother's maiden name 'Tilzer'. He soon proved successful at playing piano and calliope and writing new tunes and incidental music for the shows. He continued doing this, writing many unpublished songs or selling them to entertainers for $1-2. In 1898 he sold his song "My Old New Hampshire Home" to a publisher, and it become a national hit.

In 1899, he was made a partner of the Shapiro Bernstein Publishing Company and he became one of the best known Tin Pan Alley songwriters. In 1902 Von Tilzer formed his own publishing company, where he was soon joined by his younger brother Albert.

Highlights from the Von Tilzer published-catalog include “Down Where the Wurzburger Flows,” “The Mansion of Aching Hearts,” “On a Sunday Afternoon,” “Down on the Farm,” “Jennie Lee,” “When Katre and I Were Comin’ Thru the Rye,” “Please Go 'Way and Let Me Sleep,” “Pardon Me, My Dear Alphonse,” and “In the Sweet Bye and Bye.”