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14
THE
OBITUARY
Charles Ramsey
Charles Ramsey, founder and head of the
prominent piano hardware supply house bear-
ing his name in Kingston, N. Y., died at his
home in that city on February 11 after sev-
eral months of ill health. He was seventy-
seven years old.
Mr. Ramsey was born in Scotland and had
his first business training in that country.
He came to America in 1879 and became as-
sociated with the piano hardware firm of
Henry Haas. After serving several years
with that house he started business on his
own account and conducted his piano hard-
war*! business at several locations in New
York City until 1911, when he purchased a
plant in Kingston and moved to that city.
It is interesting to note that in 1928 the
Charles Ramsey Corp. bought out the entire
business of Henrv Haas & Son, with which
company Mr. Ramsey had his first business
connections in this country.
Mr. Ramsey was never wealthy for the
reason that he gave generously. Among his
gifts was a Church Home at the North New
York Congregational Church, a Church Home
for the First Presbyterian Church of Kingston
and large gifts to the Kingston Y. M. C. A.,
Home for the Aged, the Colored Church and
various Hospitals and organizations.
He is survived by his widow, Mrs. Elsie
C. Ramsey, and one sister, whose home is in
South Africa, but who was on a visit here
at the time of his death.
Edwin H. Carey
Edwin H. Carey, for forty years head of
the Carey Music Co., Stockton, Calif., died
at his home in that city recently. He was
80 years old and had retired from active
business three years ago because of ill health.
At that time he turned the music business
over to his two sons, both of whom have
since passed away.
Thad Butler
Thad Butler, founder of the Butler Music-
Co., Marion, Ind., passed away, on January
31, at this winter home in Florida following
a long illness. Mr. Butler, who was 73 years
old, had been a resident of Marion for over
fifty years and started his music business in
that city thirty-five years ago. For some
years past he had left the general manage-
ment of the business to his son, J. Edwin
Butler, who is an ex-president of the National
MUSIC
Association of Music Merchants.
Funeral
services were held in Marion on February 3,
with burial in that city.
Mr. Butler, who was a highly respected
member of the community, and had a host
of friends through the music trade, is sur-
vived by his widow, a daughter, Mrs. Charles
Clewis and one son, J. Edwin Butler, as
well as a brother and a sister.
Pierson R. dimming
Pierson R. Gumming, for many years an
active and popular member of the piano trade
in Connecticut, being connected with the old
Driggs Si Smith Co. of Waterbury, before the
sale of that company, died suddenly on Feb-
ruary 2nd, while visiting friends in New
Canaan, Conn. The body was taken to
Waterbury for burial.
When the Piano Dealers' Association of
Connecticut was in existence some years ago,
Mr. d i m m i n g was one of the moving spirits
of that organization, which confined itself to
one annual meeting and dinner each year
while maintaining a representative at the
State capitol at Hartford to protect the inter-
ests of the trade against inimicable legislation.
James Orton
James Orton, one of the founders of the
Orton Bros. Music Co., Butte, Mont., and an
active factor in that company, died in Los
Angeles recently from a heart attack. He
was sixty-three years old. Mr. Orton was
born in Virginia City, Mont., and resided in
that city continuously until about ten years
ago when he moved to Los Angeles. hi
addition to being a member of the music
company, Mr. Orton was one of six brothers
who organized a brass band which acquired
a wide reputation. He was also known as
an athlete and was prominent in civic and
fraternal affairs.
He is survived by his
widow and one daughter.
A. E. Jones
A. E. Jones, pioneer music merchant, pro-
prietor of the A. E. Jone:; Music Co., S. Main
street, Akron, O., died in Akron citv hospital
recently from injuries received when he was
run down by an automobile near his store.
Mr. Jones for several years had conducted
the east Akron music store, specializing in
pianos. Before going to Akron h.e was for
several years manager of the piano and
music department of the William R. Zollinger
department store, Canton. His widow, three
sons and a daughter survive. Burial and
funeral services were held in Canton.
TRADE
REVIEW,
M a r c h , 1932
Adam Buttell
Adam Buttell, formerly engaged in the re-
tail piano business in South Bend, Indiana,
before his retirement some years ago, died
at his home in Des Moines, Iowa, last month.
He was 73 years old and is survived by five
sons, two of whom, John J. and George J.
Buttell, were formerly in the piano business.
EQUITY RECEIVERS FOR
W. F. FREDERICK PIANO CO.
W. F. Frederick and the Commonwealth
Trust Co. have been named receivers under
$30,000 bond for the W. F. Frederick Piano
Co. on petition of the Frederick Investment
Co., Delaware.
An equity action was filed against the Pitts-
burgh concern in Federal Court February 8
by the Frederick Investment Co., asking for
th? appointment of a receiver, stating that
the companv had assets of more than $650,000,
was solvent, but unable to meet current
claims.
The W. F. Frederick Piano Co. operates
stores at 913 Liberty avenue and 525 Pcnn
avenue, Pittsburgh, and in McKeesport,
I iiiontown, Greensburg, Pa.,
Wheeling,
Clarksburg and Kingswood, West Va.
The complaint states the plaintiff owns all
the outstanding stock of the company.
NOTE INCREASING INTEREST
IN PLAYER-PIANO PARTS
The John S. Gullborg Mfg. Co., 2617
North Ashland avenue, Chicago, manufac-
turers of the well-known Electora player
piano pump and reproducing piano mechan-
isms, note an increasing interest in these im-
portant piano specialties, particularly among
tuners and repair men.
The Gullborg Co., which for years has
been a maker of electrical and mechanical
devices, bought the material parts and manu-
facturing rights of the Motor Player Corp.,
and is continuing to manufacture and service
these instruments, supply any parts needed,
or make repairs promptly and economically.
This is a valuable trade service for which
their organization is well equipped.
Buys Out Baldwin Branch
The Dreibelbis Music Co. has purchased
the business of the Baldwin Piano Co. branch
on West Park street, Butte, Mont., and will
continue to operate the business. In addi-
tion to the Baldwin, the Steinvvay and
Gulhrans.en pianos, th°y will also handle
band and orchestra instruments.
STARR PIANOS
STARR ELECTRIC REFRIGERATORS
CHAMPION and GENNETT RECORDS
ELECTRICAL TRANSCRIPTIONS £or RADIO BROADCASTING
THE STARR PIANO COMPANY
ESTABLISHED 1872
RICHMOND, INDIANA