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In August 1886, Shelby hosted the first annual reunion of the Buckeye Band Association. This was an experiment organized by Edward F. Smith (born 1845 in Ashland Co., Ohio). Edward enlisted on May 25, 1861, at the age of 16, as a musician in the 7th Regt. OVI and continued his service as a bugler in Co. H., 2nd Regt. of the OVC. He was mustered out August 12, 1865. During his term of enlistment, and near the end of the war, he had an encounter with President Lincoln that was recalled many years later in a Shelby Globe article: "Prof. Smith once frightened Abraham Lincoln's riding horse and for a time he and several companions were at a loss to know what sort of punishment would be meted out to them. They were in camp close to Petersburg, Va., having just returned from a raid. The weather was intensely warm and the soldiers suffered from the heat. Nearby the camp was a ravine where there was underbrush and weeds of every description. A party of soldiers among whom was Mr. Smith, went to the ravine where they gathered a load of weeds and brush intending to carry them to their tents. Each soldier was loaded with a pile of brush as they emerged from the ravine Abraham Lincoln accompanied by several officers and an escort were passing. Lincoln's horse frightened and his hat fell to the ground. One of the officers dismounted, recovered the hat and attempted to hold his horse. Lincoln left the saddle and in company with an officer started back to see who the soldiers were. As he came up to them he was dusting his hat and the soldiers attempted to apologize for having frightened the horse. Lincoln assured them that no apology was necessary, that mistakes would happen and that they were not to blame for the accident any more then he was." 1 After the war, he followed his interest as a musician and later formed a marching military band in Shelby. Many local communities had similar bands and Edward decided to invite these community bands to Shelby for a "grand march and display." The first reunion of 1886 was such a great success that additional bands were invited to attend a second reunion the following May 20, 1887. It was at this time the Buckeye Band Association was formed with Edward F. Smith as the Musical Director. The object of this association was to advance the interests of bands, here and throughout the State of Ohio, to bring about a better feeling among bands, as well as citizens in the communities. It was estimated that over 8,000 people were in attendance to view the bands at this second reunion. Bands in attendance came from the communities of: Attica, Agosta, Brandon, Galion, Ganges, Havanna, Independence, Lucas, Lexington, Neveda, Orville, Pavonia, Republic, Steam Corners, Seville, Shelby, and Utica. The bands first lined up as individual units and marched east on Main St. to Second street and then north to North St. and back to Main St by way of Broadway and then west through town out West Main St. to the old Fairgrounds. At the Fairgrounds, the bands were reorganized as one large unit of 339 members, which then counter marched back east on Main St. to Central Park, where a free meal was served to all band members. After an afternoon of entertaining the band members agreed to meet again the following year in Galion, Ohio. Shelby became the "home" of the Buckeye Band organization and yearly reunions were held here and in neighboring communities. The Shelby Citizen's Band, first formed at the direction of Prof. E. F. Smith continued as a source of community entertainment.
photo ca. 1906 The Shelby Buckeye / Citizen's Band 
The Civil War bugler, Edward F. "Jerry" Smith passed away on April 6, 1907. 
photo ca. 1906 Edward F. Smith (1845 - 1907) His musical tradition, continued over the years, were an integral part of Shelby's summer celebrations and Civil War Veteran Reunions.
In late August, 1909 there was a combined reunion in Shelby of the Sherman Brigade Veterans and the Shelby Buckeye Band. 
Shelby Band - 1909 The members of the 1909 Shelby Band included: Band Director - Prof. Rush Rosenberry F. H. Williams, clarinet and vocals; Dutch Hoover, clarinet; Will Close, clarinet; Roland Brooks, clarinet; George Anderson; Mr. Tidball; Howard Seltzer; Clare Bloomfield; Walter Hanna; Eoster Wilhyde; George Duvall; Warren Oman; Cletis Briner; Charles Clutter; Lloyd Ward; Earnest Omweg, alto; Butch Hartman, tuba; Scruttle Ward, tuba; Walter Wilson, alto; Will Cook, bass; Fritz Hyde, bass; Charles Harley, bass; Leonard Elston, bass drum; Bob White, drums; Howard Rohrer, drums. 2 To be continued - - -
1 Abstracted from an article appearing in the Shelby Globe - Nov. 21, 1903. 2. Abstracted from an article in the Shelby Globe - Dec. 14, 1908.
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