VLECK, Amelia Adelaide Van

Amelia Van Vleck was born on October 18, 1835, to Rev. Carl Anton and Christiana Susan Kramsch Van Vleck. She was the youngest of four children, having two sisters and a brother. Following her father’s death in 1845, Amelia traveled with her mother, sisters, and brother to Salem, North Carolina. There she attended Salem College, an all female academy. At age 18, she became a teacher at the College, serving on the faculty for more than sixty years. Although she began her career teaching both French and piano, she quickly decided to focus all of her time and efforts on teaching music. She was known to be a brilliant musician and excellent composer, writing several pieces, including those for solo piano and voice with piano accompaniment. She was the organ accompanist at Salem’s Home Church for more than 50 years. Amelia was the last surviving member of her family. She passed away peacefully in her sleep on August 20, 1929.