Mr. Greer was born in St. Louis, Mo., September 22, 1850. He began his
musical education early in life, first on the violin. When he had
played for some years he sang in the boys' choir before his voice was
placed. After he had it trained he sang in the choirs of the churches
in Baltimore, Atlanta, New Orleans, St. Louis and San Francisco. He
was a member of the May Festival singers. He also sang in Temple
Emanuel, Sutter street, Louis Schmidt, organist; in the Mason street
synagogue and in the First Methodist Church on Mission street. In
Oakland, twenty years ago, he was one of the members of the early
choir of the Brooklyn Presbyterian Church, East Oakland. He has passed
out of life to join the Invisible Choir. He left a wife, daughter and
sons to mourn his loss. While in Trinity choir I had the pleasure of
singing with him often at high days and funeral services. He had a
beautiful tenor-baritone voice which was melody itself, and he knew
how to sing. It was evident to all, for he was always in demand as a
church singer and occupied these positions during his life. His
daughter is also the possessor of a voice of fine quality, and by
accident I found her and it gave me the same great pleasure to teach
the daughter as it gave me to sing with the father long ago. She
occupies the position of sewing teacher in the Girl's High School, San
Francisco, and is a most efficient teacher.