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TH
MUSIC TRADE
REVIEW
HOW AN ACTION INDUSTRY THRIVED.
From a Humble Beginning the Action Business of Wessell, Nickel & Gross Has Grown to Splendid
Proportions—The Founders Held Fast to Fixed Ideals—Adam Nickel, the Veteran—Young
Blood Playing an Important Part in the Further Development of the Business.
It was long years ago when the Wessell, Nickel
& Gross action was first launched upon the mar-
ket. It was made by men who had trained in
every department of action making and who had
ADAM NICKEL.
the excellent quality of the actions put forth by
this firm of manufacturers. The Wessell, Nickel
& Gross action gradually began to acquire a
national reputation and each year added to its
standing in the estimation of
piano manufacturers.
L a r g e r factory facilities
were necessary in order to
supply the demand for this
product.
As the business
grew and expanded, the part-
ners were not spoiled by suc-
cess and worked together with
the same loyalty and de-
termination to give the best
procurable in the action line.
The name of Wessell, Nickel
& Gross became a synonym
for action excellence and the
small beginning reached a
successful culmination.
The three partners who had
stood shoulder to shoulder in
the beginning were then able
to slow up and take things
easier, but they were not that
kind. They loved the busi-
ness which they founded and
they stood steadfastly by it
until the first break in the
ranks occurred in the death of
Rudolph Gross. This was fol-
lowed by the demise of Otto
Wessell, one of the most popu-
lar men in the supply indus-
try, so to-day Adam Nickel,
the veteran piano maker, is
come together for the purpose of founding a per-
manent action industrial institution.
The piano industry itself was undeveloped in
those days, but Otto Wessell, Adam Nickel and
Rudolph Gross, all talented men, practical in
their methods, believed that through their united
efforts they could accomplish much in the line of
action manufacturing. They began in a modest
way, but with the fixed determination to produc3
nothing but the best in the action line.
They were young and it was a hard task which
faced them, but they were not easily discouraged
and held steadfastly to their ideals in action
manufacturing. Year by year their business
grew as piano manufacturers began to appreciate
9
position in the business. Mr. Nickel is also a cap-
tain of the Bergen Troop, a cavalry organiza-
tion in which he takes a pardonable pride.
Fernando A. Wessell, the secretary of the com-
pany, has been trained as a practical action manu-
facturer, and when he was quite a young man
assumed important managerial duties, which
have been steadily increasing with the years. Mr.
Wessell loves factory work. It is his pride and
joy.
ARTHUR L. WESSELL.
His brother, Arthur L. Wessell, who studied
law, decided after the death of his father to stick
to action manufacturing and has been closely
identified with the Wessell, Nickel & Gross prod-
uct and has taken great pride in helping to carry
the name to greater heights. He is treasurer of
the corporation.
The Wessell boys have inherited the popularity
of their father, who was widely known, uni-
versally liked and esteemed.
The Wessell, Nickel & Gross corporation have
been fortunate in keeping with them a staunch
member of the old guard, Charles Muhlenfels.
CHARLES MUHLENFELS.
_
FERNANDO A.. WESSELL,
the last of the trio who, like the Three Guards-
men of Dumas' creation, stood valiantly by each
other.
Mr. Nickel, veteran that he is, gives the same
close attention to business which he did years
ago. He loves the work and his inventive mind
is never satisfied unless developing some new ap-
pliance which will add to the efficiency of the
Wessell, Nickel & Gross action, which has been
his life-long pride.
Around him have grown up young men who
have played their part in the development of the
business in later years. Henry A. Nickel, his son,
who is vice-president of the company, is a popu-
lar young man, who has fairly earned his official
HENRY A. NICKEL.