Music Trade Review

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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW.
Charles H. Hackley.
SOMETHING OF THE CAREER OF A LEADING CIT-
IZEN AND A GREAT PHILANTHROPIST
ENOR-
MOUS GIFTS FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES.
THE HACKLEY PIANO—AN INSTRUMENT
WHICH BEARS THE NAME OF THE
GREAT MICHIGANDER.
I
T has well been said that the philanthropy
of our wealthy classes is the redeeming
feature of this era of American civilization
—not philanthropy directed especially
toward the alleviation of the physical suffer-
ing's of the very poor, but in educative
channels which help to expand and elevate,
and better prepare the mind for that battle
for success which tests the ability and re-
sources and enables "the fittest to survive."
So thought we during a recent visit to
the pretty city of*Muskegon, Mich., as one
of its chief citizens related the numerous
gifts which have been made to that city
during recent years by Chas. H. Hackley,
president of the Chase Bros. Piano Co.,
who is also a member of several leading
local institutions.
As a citizen and philanthropist Mr. Hack-
ley has achieved a reputation such as is
seldom gained by a man of his years, par-
ticularly a man who has been subjected to
the exacting demands of an active business
career. The character of this reputation
can be judged from the fact that his gifts
to the city of Muskegon for educational and
other purposes amount to close on $450,000.
In 1888 the princely sum of $125,000 was
donated for the building of the present
Public Library, which is endowed with an
additional $75,000. This Library with its
well-stocked shelves of valuable books and
equipments is one of the features of the
city. The combination of gables and win-
dows, well wrought columns of granite, both
inside and out, with superb furnishings,
produce an effect of grandeur and harmony
of design not easily effaced from the
memory.
Adjoining the Library is the Soldiers'
Monument, which,with the land upon which
it is built, cost $70,000, the Hackley Park,
school and fountain, and more recently a
manual training school which cost $30,000,
with an endowment of $100,000 to pay its
running expenses. All these buildings
erected by this worthy gentleman produce
an effect of grandeur and harmony of de-
sign which not only tell a story to the tran-
sient visitor, but will be monuments to his
memory long after the generous donor shall
have left this sphere of usefulness and en-
ters "that sleep which knows no waking."
It is meet that such a public-spirited and
broad-minded citizen—who wisely chose to
see his beneficence properly applied rather
than to leave large bequests which may be
diverted from the design of the giver—
should be honored by the piano manufac-
turing firm of which he is the worthy presi-
dent.
Hence they determined upon the produc-
tion of a piano bearing his name.
The Hackley piano cannot in any sense
of the word be termed a cheap piano. It
is conscientiously built on modern and en-
during lines, with a tone quality and finish
which enables it to hold its own with many
higher priced instruments. Like the man
it is called after, it aims to educate and
elevate the musical tastes of the masses. It
has built up, and is destined still further to
create, a large clientele of admirers wher-
ever sold. It is honest and sterling in its
makeup; it is sold for what it is. There is
no deception, no hypocrisy associated with
its manufacture or sale.
The Chase Bros. Piano Co., aside from
their well-known Chase Bros, piano, take a
great pride in the "Hackley" for two rea-
sons: First, because it bears the name of
the president of the company, and next, it
is a piano which can bear out all reasonable
claims made for it.
The success of the Hackley piano—and
an undoubted success it is—can be ascribed
solely to its absolute worth.
It is needless to say that the Chase Bros.
Piano Co. are giving the younger scion of
their house that steadfast support, both
from a manufacturing and commercial
standpoint, which will place it in the homes
of the people throughout this country.
We present herewith a counterfeit pre-
sentment of Chas. Henry Hackley, presi-
dent of the. Chase Bros. Piano Co. He
was born Jan. 3d, 1837, at Michigan City,
Ind., and removed in boyhood to Kenosha,
Wis., where he received a common school
education. He assisted his father in rail-
road contract work until nineteen years of
age, when he worked a passage, on the
schooner Challenge, to Muskegon, arriving
here April 17, 1856, with small means.
Naturally industrious he promptly secured
work, and when winter came his salary, as
sealer of logs, was raised to $30 per month.
By advice of his employers, Durkee, Trus-
dell & Co., he returned to Kenosha the fol-
lowing winter and took a commercial course
He came back to Muskegon in 1859, was
employed as bookkeeper for a time, and
then commenced his career as a lumberman,
noted under heading of Hackley & Hume.
By industry and business tact Mr. Hackley
rapidly rose to affluence, and now enjoys a
wide distinction as a philanthropist. He
is prominent in banking and lumbering,
and his generous gifts to the city of Muske-
gon are highly appreciated by his fellow
citizens.
The career and achievements of such
men as Mr. Hackley—and thank goodness
they are not tew these days—are an object
lesson which can always be studied and
taken to heart with profit. They demon-
strate that back of the race for wealth,
which is so apparent in our time, there are
men who consecrate their gifts to good and
useful ends by contributing to the elevation,
refinement and happiness of their fellows.
[PREPARED ESPECIALLY FOR THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW.]
WASHINGTON, D. C , April 7,
1896.
A
FEATURE of the imports and ex-
ports of musical instruments for the
month of February—the latest period for
which figures have been compiled—shows
that there is a slight increase in exports as
compared with last year, while the imports
have fallen off almost $6,000 during the
same period. This is a more gratifying
condition of affairs than has existed for
some months.
The following are the
figures in detail: Pianos exported in Feb-
ruary amounted to 63, valued at $16,133,
as compared with 66, valued at $16,627, ex-
ported in February, 1895. The total for
the eight months shows exports of pianos
to the number of 575, valued at $151,138,
against 623, valued at $171,824, exported
during the same period of the preceding
year.
There were 915 organs exported in Feb-
ruary, valued at $50,722, against 762 ex-
ported in February, 1895, valued at $42,934.
The eight months total footed up 8,952 or-
gans exported, valued at $496,983, against
7,711 organs, valued at $471,684, exported
during the same period of the previous
year.
The value of the musical instruments
imported for the month amounted to $71,-
817, as compared with $76,709 worth im-
ported in February, 1895. The eight
months total footed up $896,520, as against
$560,701 worth imported during the same
period of the previous year.
All other musical instruments and parts
of same exported during the month of Feb-
ruary were valued at $18,864, against $*7,-
234 worth exported in February, 1895.
The eight months total footed up $194,081
worth exported, as against $153,762 worth
the previous } r ear.
The re-exports of musical instruments
during February amounted to 587, against
152 the same month of 1895. The total re-
exports for the eight months amounted to
$6,234, as compared with $6,997 worth re-
exported during February,
1895. The
value of musical instruments in the cus-
toms warehouse during the month amounted
in value to $7,483, as compared with
062 worth for the same period last year.