THE WAUPACA POST

June 3, 1993

 

WHEN THEN WAS NOW

By Wayne A. Guyant

 

            For those of you who never listened to or danced to Rube Tronson’s music, this is a little insight on his life.  Reuben Lester Tronson was born at Amherst, to Thomas and Hannah Tronson, on April 9, 1896.

            He grew to manhood in the Amherst vicinity and attended the local schools.

            After the death of his father in 1918, he took over the farm duties.

            He left the farm in 1922, going to Chicago where he eventually qualified as a railroad engineer on the Northwestern Railroad in 1926.

            In 1927 he commenced broadcasting with the WLS Barn Dance band in Chicago, and was affiliated with that station for 10 years.

            During this 10 years he toured the country with the band, and anytime they were booked to appear anywhere in the vicinity, Mr. Tronson’s many friends from the Amherst and surrounding community were sure to be present.

            “Rube,” as everyone knew him, had an unusually pleasant personality.

            In 1922 he was married to Miss Irene Hawks of Curtis, and to them were born two children:  Thomas Keith and Jean Natalie.

            On June 11, 1936, Rube was married for a second time, this marriage was to Miss Frances Beyer of Beaver Dam.  The marriage took place at Waukegan, Ill.

            Rube Tronson passed away suddenly on March 9, 1939, in Wausau, where he, his wife, and his Texas Cowboy Orchestra were located.  Mr. Tronson and his orchestra had gone to Wausau a month earlier to play at the Winter Carnival which resulted in a contract with the Wausau Radio Station (WSAU).  They accepted dance and musical engagements in the surrounding vicinity.

            Donald Blanchard, David Denny and Russell Smith appeared with Rube Tronson and his Texas Cowboys.

            The trademark of the Tronson Texas Cowboys was the large touring car that they traveled in.  It had a set of Texas Longhorn horns that ornamented the hood of the car.

            Reuben Lester Tronson is buried in the Oak Grove Cemetery, east of Amherst.  His marker reads, “Husband – Reuben L. Tronson, 1896-1939.  Thy soul is remembered by strains of music from a violin.”