Music Trade Review
Issue: 1896 Vol. 23 N. 19 - Page 5
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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
stowal upon him by the Emperor of the
Order of the Red Eagle, third class, the
highest distinction ever conferred upon a
manufacturer.
April 15th, 1894, William Steinway was
elected Honorary Member of the Royal
Italian Academy of St. Cecilia, of Rome,
the oldest and most renowned academy in
the old world, having been founded by
Palestrina, the celebrated composer, in
1584.
The diploma of. membership is
in itself a work of art.
What the riusical Profession Owes Him.
The musical profession is especially in-
debted to Mr. Steinway for his generosity
in advancing, in a thousand ways, the cause
of musical education. In the days of Stein-
way Hall that beautiful concert auditorium
was always at the disposal of choral socie-
ties, orchestras, or budding vocalists. To
WILL1AM STEINWAY AT 50.
the personal influence and aid of Mr. Stein-
way the Leiderkranz Society of New York tions to the advance of musical art. To
city owes much of its prestige and prosper- him the German Hospital in New York is
indebted for liberal endowments. He is a
ity.
He had been many times president of member of the "Rechtsschutzverein, " a so-
the Leiderkranz, and at the time of his ciety for the protection of poor Germans
who are unable to retain legal advice in
death still held this great honor.
It was last March when his sixtieth anni- the matter of recovering claims for labor;
versary was celebrated by a special recep- he is also a member of the German Society
tion at the Leiderkranz. It was at that for Emigrants. Thoroughly cosmopolitan
time when the following tribute was paid in his ideas, the Fatherland always occupied
a high place in his affections. His labors in
him:
"Of William Steinway it has been justly connection with the World's Fair of 1892,
said that, although it may be possible to and his financial aid in that great undertak-
find his equal as a prominent American, or ing, will ever be held in grateful remem-
as a prominent German, there is none can brance by his fellow citizens.
Election Work.
equal him as a cosmopolitan, as the citizen
Notwithstanding the fact that he had
of the world.
"In Italy, Spain, France, Germany, been a semi-invalid, Mr. Steinway gave
Russia and America he is known as one much of his strength and energy to the
who has contributed to the advancement of cause of sound money during the last
the great cause of art. He makes no dis- Presidential election. Although a stanch
tinction in this line, but claims to belong Democrat all his life, he worked day and
to the world. He does so, indeed, if only night unceasingly for the election of Mc-
by the generous acts that he has done, Kinley. He made many speeches and used
which bind him by the closest ties to hu- his influence in innumerable ways for the
furtherance of the cause of sound money.
manitarians the world over.
A notable incident in the last campaign:
"The piano industry throughout the
world regard him as its most eminent and when the Governor of Texas received a
distinguished member.
The American communication from Bismarck relative to
piano trade owes its unsurpassed record his advocacy of free silver, it was given
and prominence to the Steinway house, of out all over the country and used with pro-
which he is the head. In every movement digious effect in German-American circles
for the welfare of this trade and for the as being an absolute endorsement by the
maintenance of its position he has always great German statesman of the silver doc-
trine. Mr. Steinway cabled to Bismarck
been in evidence as the head and front.
"Of him it may be justly said that he and obtained from him a correct and re-
loves humanity for humanity's sake. His vised opinion showing that the translation
deeds of benevolence, although seldom of the cablegram to the Texas politician
spoken of by himself, are known through was inaccurate, and it was through Mr.
the mouths of his beneficiaries in all sec- Steinway's influence that the Bismarck
tions of the globe. In iiis business career letter was turned into a boomerang.
and in his private history, in his life, both
What Notable Men Say.
public and private, William Steinway ranks
Alfred Dolge expressed deep regret at
as the greatest of that great race of Ger-
man-Americans which has become identi- Mr. Steinway's death. He said: " I have
fied with the history and progress of the always looked upon Mr. Steinway as the
greatest man in this trade, and a man who
United States."
His private purse had been constantly has done more for the piano trade in
drawn upon' in his generous desire to assist, America than anyone else, inasmuch as he
unknown to the world, musicians whose accepted only the highest standard. He
gifts, but for such timely aid, might for- was magnanimous to the highest degree
ever have remained buried in obscurity. and was always ready to uphold the dignity
Abundant indeed have been his contribu- of the trade in the most trying times.
"What he has been to the German-
Americans no one can appreciate better
than they. One remarkable trait, notwith-
standing his great success in business and
in social life, he always remained to the end
democratic."
Mr. Louis A. Delafield, secretary of the
Rapid Transit Commission, expressed to
us much sorrow when informed of Mr.
Steinway's death. Said he: " I regret ex-
tremely to learn of that sad event. I had
always thought very much of Mr. Steinway.
Our regular meeting does not occur until
Thursday, at which time appropriate action
will be taken concerning his death. Should
the funeral occur before, it is probable the
commissioners will attend in a body."
Mr. Steinway, at the time of his death,
was president of the Abbey, Schoeffel &
Grau corporation. Mr. Schoeffel expressed
himself to THE REVIEW in terms of great
sorrow regarding Mr. Steinway's death.
He said, "Both Mr. Grau and myself have
always looked upon Mr. Steinway as one of
the stanchest and truest friends of art in
this country."
William Rohlfing, of Milwaukee, said
to us this morning while his voice trembled
with emotion/,"And so my good friend,
William Steinway, is gone. I heard of his
illness and it was more a desire to see him
personally than any other reason that
brought me East, and now I find him dead."
Morris Steinert said: "Ah, it is a cruel
blow to me. A great man, always doing
good, always at work. He was truly a
noble man. The trade and the world will
miss and mourn him."
The Funeral.
The funeral of Mr. Steinway will occur
at his late residence, 26 Gramercy Park, on
Wednesday at ten o'clock. It will be a
private funeral. It will be followed by a
public funeral at the Liederkranz Hall, at
one p. M. the same day.
The Piano Manufacturers' Association
will convene a special meeting to take ac-
tion regarding Mr. Steinway's death, at
2.30 p. M. Tuesday, at the parlors of the
Union Square Hotel.
Mayor Strong ordered the City Hall flag
to be hung at half-mast out of respect to
the memory of Mr. Steinway.
Mr. Steinway was twice married. The
children resulting from his first marriage
are Mr. Geo. A. Steinway, who is now on
his way across the ocean, and one daughter,
who is married to Mr. Louis Von Bernuth.
From his second marriage there are two
young sons, twelve and fourteen years, who
survive him, William E. and Theodore F.
Amos C. James.
O
NE of the well-known piano makers of
the old school, and senior member
of the firm of James & Holstrom, this city,
died this morning after a brief illness.
The funeral services will take place at St.
Bartholomew's Church, at half-past ten
Wednesday morning.
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
stowal upon him by the Emperor of the
Order of the Red Eagle, third class, the
highest distinction ever conferred upon a
manufacturer.
April 15th, 1894, William Steinway was
elected Honorary Member of the Royal
Italian Academy of St. Cecilia, of Rome,
the oldest and most renowned academy in
the old world, having been founded by
Palestrina, the celebrated composer, in
1584.
The diploma of. membership is
in itself a work of art.
What the riusical Profession Owes Him.
The musical profession is especially in-
debted to Mr. Steinway for his generosity
in advancing, in a thousand ways, the cause
of musical education. In the days of Stein-
way Hall that beautiful concert auditorium
was always at the disposal of choral socie-
ties, orchestras, or budding vocalists. To
WILL1AM STEINWAY AT 50.
the personal influence and aid of Mr. Stein-
way the Leiderkranz Society of New York tions to the advance of musical art. To
city owes much of its prestige and prosper- him the German Hospital in New York is
indebted for liberal endowments. He is a
ity.
He had been many times president of member of the "Rechtsschutzverein, " a so-
the Leiderkranz, and at the time of his ciety for the protection of poor Germans
who are unable to retain legal advice in
death still held this great honor.
It was last March when his sixtieth anni- the matter of recovering claims for labor;
versary was celebrated by a special recep- he is also a member of the German Society
tion at the Leiderkranz. It was at that for Emigrants. Thoroughly cosmopolitan
time when the following tribute was paid in his ideas, the Fatherland always occupied
a high place in his affections. His labors in
him:
"Of William Steinway it has been justly connection with the World's Fair of 1892,
said that, although it may be possible to and his financial aid in that great undertak-
find his equal as a prominent American, or ing, will ever be held in grateful remem-
as a prominent German, there is none can brance by his fellow citizens.
Election Work.
equal him as a cosmopolitan, as the citizen
Notwithstanding the fact that he had
of the world.
"In Italy, Spain, France, Germany, been a semi-invalid, Mr. Steinway gave
Russia and America he is known as one much of his strength and energy to the
who has contributed to the advancement of cause of sound money during the last
the great cause of art. He makes no dis- Presidential election. Although a stanch
tinction in this line, but claims to belong Democrat all his life, he worked day and
to the world. He does so, indeed, if only night unceasingly for the election of Mc-
by the generous acts that he has done, Kinley. He made many speeches and used
which bind him by the closest ties to hu- his influence in innumerable ways for the
furtherance of the cause of sound money.
manitarians the world over.
A notable incident in the last campaign:
"The piano industry throughout the
world regard him as its most eminent and when the Governor of Texas received a
distinguished member.
The American communication from Bismarck relative to
piano trade owes its unsurpassed record his advocacy of free silver, it was given
and prominence to the Steinway house, of out all over the country and used with pro-
which he is the head. In every movement digious effect in German-American circles
for the welfare of this trade and for the as being an absolute endorsement by the
maintenance of its position he has always great German statesman of the silver doc-
trine. Mr. Steinway cabled to Bismarck
been in evidence as the head and front.
"Of him it may be justly said that he and obtained from him a correct and re-
loves humanity for humanity's sake. His vised opinion showing that the translation
deeds of benevolence, although seldom of the cablegram to the Texas politician
spoken of by himself, are known through was inaccurate, and it was through Mr.
the mouths of his beneficiaries in all sec- Steinway's influence that the Bismarck
tions of the globe. In iiis business career letter was turned into a boomerang.
and in his private history, in his life, both
What Notable Men Say.
public and private, William Steinway ranks
Alfred Dolge expressed deep regret at
as the greatest of that great race of Ger-
man-Americans which has become identi- Mr. Steinway's death. He said: " I have
fied with the history and progress of the always looked upon Mr. Steinway as the
greatest man in this trade, and a man who
United States."
His private purse had been constantly has done more for the piano trade in
drawn upon' in his generous desire to assist, America than anyone else, inasmuch as he
unknown to the world, musicians whose accepted only the highest standard. He
gifts, but for such timely aid, might for- was magnanimous to the highest degree
ever have remained buried in obscurity. and was always ready to uphold the dignity
Abundant indeed have been his contribu- of the trade in the most trying times.
"What he has been to the German-
Americans no one can appreciate better
than they. One remarkable trait, notwith-
standing his great success in business and
in social life, he always remained to the end
democratic."
Mr. Louis A. Delafield, secretary of the
Rapid Transit Commission, expressed to
us much sorrow when informed of Mr.
Steinway's death. Said he: " I regret ex-
tremely to learn of that sad event. I had
always thought very much of Mr. Steinway.
Our regular meeting does not occur until
Thursday, at which time appropriate action
will be taken concerning his death. Should
the funeral occur before, it is probable the
commissioners will attend in a body."
Mr. Steinway, at the time of his death,
was president of the Abbey, Schoeffel &
Grau corporation. Mr. Schoeffel expressed
himself to THE REVIEW in terms of great
sorrow regarding Mr. Steinway's death.
He said, "Both Mr. Grau and myself have
always looked upon Mr. Steinway as one of
the stanchest and truest friends of art in
this country."
William Rohlfing, of Milwaukee, said
to us this morning while his voice trembled
with emotion/,"And so my good friend,
William Steinway, is gone. I heard of his
illness and it was more a desire to see him
personally than any other reason that
brought me East, and now I find him dead."
Morris Steinert said: "Ah, it is a cruel
blow to me. A great man, always doing
good, always at work. He was truly a
noble man. The trade and the world will
miss and mourn him."
The Funeral.
The funeral of Mr. Steinway will occur
at his late residence, 26 Gramercy Park, on
Wednesday at ten o'clock. It will be a
private funeral. It will be followed by a
public funeral at the Liederkranz Hall, at
one p. M. the same day.
The Piano Manufacturers' Association
will convene a special meeting to take ac-
tion regarding Mr. Steinway's death, at
2.30 p. M. Tuesday, at the parlors of the
Union Square Hotel.
Mayor Strong ordered the City Hall flag
to be hung at half-mast out of respect to
the memory of Mr. Steinway.
Mr. Steinway was twice married. The
children resulting from his first marriage
are Mr. Geo. A. Steinway, who is now on
his way across the ocean, and one daughter,
who is married to Mr. Louis Von Bernuth.
From his second marriage there are two
young sons, twelve and fourteen years, who
survive him, William E. and Theodore F.
Amos C. James.
O
NE of the well-known piano makers of
the old school, and senior member
of the firm of James & Holstrom, this city,
died this morning after a brief illness.
The funeral services will take place at St.
Bartholomew's Church, at half-past ten
Wednesday morning.
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