Although there were to be no professional musicians in the family aside from Edgar, some members did casually play for their own entertainment. A few played piano; his brother, James Boulton, played mandolin and sang, and their father, James Martin, played guitar. James Martin Settle was a prominent citizen of New Franklin, a leader in religious and social life, serving twice as its Postmaster (first in 1877), as editor and publisher of the New Franklin News, as a judge in the Howard County court, and serving on many boards. Townfolk were also fond of his musical abilities:

"...Mr. Settle was particularly popular with the young folks. He loved to sing and pick the guitar, and time never hung heavy on your hands when Jim Martin Settle was with you." 3

"The exercises were interspersed by some beautiful songs rendered by the rich and charming voice of Miss May McCauley with guitar accompaniment by Mr. J. M. Settle." 4

Edgar's talent was "natural." He never took lessons or studied, playing by ear at first, though later he learned to read music. His abilities simply seemed to "surface" one day, according to his nephew, J. B. Settle:

"...they were a very religious family and every Sunday morning they'd go to church. And when he was at a very young age ­ I'm told about four to five years old ­ he had come home from church and walked up to the piano and placed his hands up on the keys, 'cause his head almost was below the level of the keyboard, and played part of a hymn he had heard in church. And of course it astounded everybody ... they couldn't hardly believe what they had heard. And that, to my knowledge, was the beginning [indication] that he was going to be a prodigy ­ which indeed he was." Around the end of his high school years, Settle set out in pursuit of a professional career.5 For the next three decades, he toured around the midwest, periodically returning to his hometown of New Franklin.

Above: Lee Edgar Settle, c. 1900.

3 W. G. McGavock, "History of Franklin Post Office," New Franklin News, Aug. 22, 1930, p. 2. Joint Collection University of Missouri Western Historical Manucript Collection; Columbia and State Historical Society of Missouri Manuscripts.

4 Unidentified article on the Franklin Lyceum, Dec. 9, 1880.

5 Gene Owen was unable to find if he finished high school. (Letter to the author, Oct. 28,1985.)