Born in Poughkeepsie, New York, Charles Gilbert Spross served as the organist for several churches in New York and New Jersey throughout his career.

He also toured extensively with many famous singers of his day, including Caruso, Garden, Gluck, Homer, Melba, Nielsen, Nordica, Schumann-Heink, and Ysaÿe.

In addition to his prolific song output, Spross also composed other vocal works for vocal ensemble, including anthems, partsongs, and cantatas.

–Christie Finn

Source: William Osborne’s article in the New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians