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CHICAGO, ILL., MARCH, 1932
PIANO GLNDALOGY.
Genealogy of the Names
of American Pianos
and Their Manu-
facturers and
Proprietors
attention to business, Alfred Peck died in Munich,
Germany, in 1911.
Carl E. Peck then became president of the com-
pany and Ashley B. Cone, a brother-in-law of Alfred
L. Peck, became vice-president. For eighteen years
Fifteenth of Publication Month
Peck resigned the presidency and was chosen chairman
of the board of directors, Mr. Ashley B. Cone becom-
ing president and Mr. Schmitt vice-president, while
Martin B. Colwin, son-in-law of Carl E. Peck, be-
came secretary, Mr. August Hagemeyer retaining
his office as treasurer.
Mr. Ashley B. Cone, the president, is thoroughly
familiar with the entire piano business in all its
aspects and through him and Mr. Carl E. Peck the
Hardman piano remains in the hands of the Peck
family, w r here its ownership has rested since 1842
CHAPTER ONE
GENEALOGY OF
AMERICAN PIANOS AND
THEIR MANUFACTUERS
In preparing a chapter on the Genealogy of
Names of American Pianos for the 1932 Buy-
ers' Guide; the names that appear on the fall-
board of the pianos, the questionnaire sent out
requested only to be informed how the name
of the piano originated and when first used on
the instrument, but in connection with this
correspondence much historical data about
the manufacturers has come to Presto-Times
from which we are enabled to present our
readers some extremely interesting matter.
Utilizing, therefore, the material so far re-
ceived and presenting these manufacturers in
alphabetical order, so far as practical, we in-
troduce Presto-Times readers herewith
HARDMAN, PECK & CO.
GRINNELL BROS.
HARDMAN, PECK & CO., MANUFACTURERS
OF THE HARDMAN AND THE HAR-
RINGTON PIANOS
Mr. Hugh Hardnian, an Englishman, was among
the first in American piano manufacturing to make
upright pianos, his business having been started in
1840. In 1874 he took his son John in as a partner
and later on a son-in-law of John Hardman, named
Dowling, was admitted to the firm. In 1880 Leopold
l J eck bought an interest in the firm, which was then
changed to Hardman, Peck & Dowling. Following
the death of John Hardman in 1888, the present name,
Hardman, Peck & Co., was taken. Mr. Peck died
in 1904, having acquired sole ownership of the busi-
ness a number of years previous to that. After his
death the management devolved upon Alfred L.
Peck, his son, who had been connected with the busi-
ness for several years, and who became president in
February, 1905, when the business was incorporated
with capital stock of $800,000. Carl E. Peck, his
cousin, became vice-president; William Dalliba Dut-
ton, treasurer, and Fred W. Lohr, secretary. While
traveling in search of health because of too close
CART., K. P E C K , CHATI1MAN BOA III) O F D I U K C T O U S ,
following his arrival in New York in 1890, Mr. Peck
was factory manager. Mr. Dutton, the treasurer, died
in 1920, and Mr. Lohr, the secretary, the next year,
these being succeeded respectively by August Hage-
meyer and Eugene A Schmitt. In 1929 Carl E.
I I A U D M A X , PKCK
& CO.
The Hardman, Peck & Co. general offices and
warerooms are at the Hardman building, 433 Fifth
avenue, New York, and the main factories are at 524-
542 West 52nd street, the products of which factories
are nationally and internationally known and famous.
GRINNELL BROS. MANUFACTURERS
OF THE GRINNELL BROS. PIANOS
that organs were added to the sewing machine stock.
Business increased here to an extent that in 1884
necessitated their finding larger quarters, and they
The name GRINNELL has been associated with then moved to 228 Woodward avenue (old number).
the mercantile history of Michigan for more than Here their stock was further increased by the addi-
half a century. Mr. I. L. Grinnell, who w'as later tion of a few pianos. Good business management,
one of the founders of the present Grinnell business, best quality of merchandise, courteous treatment and
embarked, nearly sixty years ago, upon his first busi- unswerving adherence to the highest standard of
ness venture, which was the sale of sewing machines business ethics brought them a continually increasing
at Clinton, Mich. Here he was later joined by his volume of business and they took adjoining space at
brother, Mr. C. A. Grinnell. A partnership was 226, 230 and 232 Woodward. By 1896 this enlarged
formed under the name GRINNELL BROS., and location had become wholly inadequate to their re-
they opened a store at Ann Arbor, Mich., with a quirements and they moved their business to a much
branch at Ypsilanti. Their business prospered but larger building at what was then numbered 219-221-
they were ambitious to develop it to an extent not 223 Woodward avenue.
possible in the territory in which they were situated,
In twelve years their business had grown to an
and they decided upon Detroit as representing an
extent that made necessary still another move, and
opportunity for the expansion and greater volume of
it was at this time that they built the present large
business they had in mind.
They accordingly, in 1880, located in Detroit and headquarters store at 1515-1517-1519-1521 Woodward
opened a store at what was then 212 Woodward ave- avenue, which is recognized as one of the largest, best
nue. They had the agency for the White Sewing Ma- arranged, most finely conducted and progressive musi-
chine, and something of their success in this venture cal merchandising institutions in America.
In 1912 their business was changed from a partner-
may be gained from the fact that their delivery equip-
ment consisted of twenty-six vehicles. Distinct indi- ship to a corporation, and all employes were given
viduality was given their organization by having an opportunity to buy stock and become part owners
these vehicles all painted white, and drawn by white of the institution they served. A great number of
them have taken advantage of this and the result is
horses.
It was during the time they were in this store without doubt reflected in the fine spirit of loyalty
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