Music Trade Review

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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
Peter D. Strauch is to-day as erect and
dignified in his carriage, as springy and
HISTORY OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE MOD- § elastic in his step, as when forty years ago
he determined to win his way to the top of
ERN PIANO ACTIONS, KEYS AND HAMMERS f the business ladder irrespective of the diffi-
As Illustrated by the House of Strauch Bros,
§ culties encountered in so doing. Nor has
age dimmed the brilliancy of his eye, for
ARTICLE I.
| he is a bright, keen-witted business man,
Members of the Strauch Firm.
• '% brimful of energy and vitality, whose wise
counsel is sought by outside institutions.
Leading men in other lines of effort have
The history of the music trade affords
The development of the piano action
from Cristofori to the present day forms numerous illustrations of such men, who become acquainted with his unerring busi-
an industrial study full of interest to those from humble beginnings, have made their ness judgment, and frequently positions of
who have witnessed the almost marvelous way into prominence not only in this trust and great responsibility have been
growth of our industrial affairs.
The industry, but have impressed their indi- proffered him, many of which he has been
artistic growth of the American piano viduality upon the industrial development forced to decline on account of the grow-
ing demands of his own enterprise. In
action has been in harmony with the phe- of the nation.
Such a man is Peter D. Strauch, who left recent years he has been able in a large
the shores of the German fatherland in degree to relieve himself from the personal
1851 to seek his fortune in the New World. cares and responsibilities of his business by
Immediately upon his arrival in this placing them upon his sons, and was in-
country, being naturally inclined towards duced to accept the vice-presidency of the
mechanics, he became associated with one Ganesvoort bank.
of the pioneer piano and action makers of
His sons, Albert T. Strauch and William
America. After serving his apprenticeship E. Strauch, were reared in the practical
in all the branches of the business, he was atmosphere of modern business life, soft-
taken into partnership, but, desiring a ened and tempered by the refining influence
larger field, he finally sold out his interest of lovable home environment. After se-
and began the manufacture of piano ac- curing a thorough education, they served
tions in New York city at the close of the their apprenticeship in every department
Civil War.
of the Strauch factory.
It is needless to enter into details regard-
The Strauch natural inclination for me-
ing the struggles of this ambitious young chanics appears to be hereditary with a
man and what he contributed toward over- strong current in the youngest generation
of Strauchs.
The business of the house is department-
ized so that Albert T. Strauch visits the
manufacturing trade in every section of
the Union. He also maintains a super-
vision
of the business department.
PETER D. STRAUCH.
William E. Strauch has had active super-
nomenal expansion of the piano business
vision and control of the factory for a term
during the closing days of the century.
of years, and is not only an action maker,
We are living in an age of specialism,
but a piano maker as well. He has more-
where the lines of demarcation have be-
over a number of valuable patented inven-
come clearly emphasized, hence it is fit-
tions to his credit.
tingly appropriate that we should relate
The members of the Strauch firm have
something of the individuality of the men
never been content to rest upon laurels al-'
who have contributed so much intelligent
ready won; they are forever seeking every
effort to the upbuilding of an important
possible means by which the American
industry—piano action making.
piano action may become more delicately
The biographies of prominent manu-
susceptible to the musician's touch.
facturers and leaders of specially developed
While volumes might be written upon
branches of a trade, are of general interest.
They call attention to the fact that the vast
majority of successful men have made their
own way in life, beginning with no capital
ALBERT T. STRAUCH.
beyond their own good health, sound com-
coming
the
then
existing prejudices against
monsense and weekly wages in store, shop,
American-made
grand
and upright actions;
mine or mill.
for
it
should
be
understood
that till the
They illustrate the encouraging facts
early
seventies
nearly
all
of
the
grand and
that this continent of ours is a land in
upright
actions
used
in
this
country
were
which a man of ability can start from a
small beginning and rise by his own exer- imported from France.
Mr. Strauch correctly concluded that if
tions to influence and fortune, provided he
is capable of self-sacrifice, untiring labor the prejudices were removed it must be on
account of the indisputable superiority of
and intelligent effort.
the
American action. To accomplish this
Men born upon the farm, or in the coun-
desired
end, he concentrated his mechani-
try village and forced into the arena with
no other education than that of the country cal skill upon the development and per-
school, have been able to educate them- fection of those actions bearing the Strauch
selves, to initiate great movements, found name which have now won world-wide re-
institutions of learning and charity, exer- cognition, the special points of excellence
cise a beneficent influence in the highest and originality of which are embodied in
social circles and sway the destinies of the the "Strauch system" of action making
people by their talents in the field of prac- and will be illustrated in detail in subse-
quent issues.
tical affairs.
WILLIAM E. STRAUCH.