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The Jesse French Piano and Organ company began selling instruments in 1873 |
The Jesse French Piano and Organ company began selling instruments in 1873 and was headquartered in [[Nashville, Tennessee]] and eventually [[St. Louis, Missouri]] and operated chain stores across the Midwest and South. The company eventually manufactured their own [[Piano|pianos]] in [[New Castle, Indiana]] under the names Krell-French and French & Sons. |
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| ⚫ | Jesse French, Sr. was born on 23 July 1846 in [[Devon|Devon, England]]. By 1850, Jesse was living in [[New York City]] with his parents Jacob and Mary Ann French, and older sisters Julia and Henrietta. |
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== History == |
== History == |
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In 1872, Jesse French became a partner in the Nashville R. Dorman and Company music dealership.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Sharp |first=Tim |title=Images of America: Nashville Music Before Country |date=2008 |isbn=9780738553986 |location=Charleston, South Carolina |publisher=Arcadia Publishing |pages=109-110}}</ref> By 1875, Jesse French first sold pianos under the name "Dorman, French & Smith" in [[Nashville, Tennessee]]. |
In 1872, Jesse French became a partner in the Nashville R. Dorman and Company music dealership.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Sharp |first=Tim |title=Images of America: Nashville Music Before Country |date=2008 |isbn=9780738553986 |location=Charleston, South Carolina |publisher=Arcadia Publishing |pages=109-110}}</ref> By 1875, Jesse French first sold pianos under the name "Dorman, French & Smith" in [[Nashville, Tennessee]]. Within a few years, French had bought out his partners.<ref name=":1">{{Cite book |last=Greenfield |first=Jack |title=A History of Midwestern Piano Manufacturing |date=1996 |publisher=Piano Technicians Foundation |year=1996 |location=Kansas City, MO |publication-date=1996 |pages=48-9, 118-9, 126}}</ref> In 1883, French formed "Field, French and Company," which was also known as the "Field-French Piano Company," in [[St. Louis, Missouri]] with his brother-in-law Oscar Field, who had married Maria Lumsden in 1882. By 1884, Jesse formed the Jesse French Piano & Organ Company with three business partners: Field, his father-in-law, John Lumsden and another brother-in-law Henry Gennett, who had married Alice Lumsden in 1876.<ref name=":2">{{Cite book |last=Dahan |first=Charlie B. |url=https://www.worldcat.org/title/960907696 |title=Gennett Records and Starr Piano |last2=Irmscher |first2=Linda Gennett |date=2016 |publisher=Arcadia Publishing |isbn=978-1-4671-1725-8 |series=Images of America |location=Charleston, South Carolina |pages=13, 17, 21 |oclc=960907696}}</ref> By 1885, French had jumped from a meager $3,000 capitol in 1873 to a capitol of $500,000.<ref name=":3">{{Cite book |last=Roell |first=Craig H. |title=The piano in America, 1890-1940 |date=1989 |publisher=University of North Carolina Press |isbn=978-0-8078-1802-2 |location=Chapel Hill |pages=86, 89, 241}}</ref><ref name=":1" /> |
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Between 1889-1890, a 4-story [[Queen Anne style architecture|Queen Anne]] style brick building was constructed at 240 5th Avenue North in [[downtown Nashville]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Jesse French Piano and Organ Building, 240 5th Avenue North, Nashville, Davidson County, TN |url=https://www.loc.gov/item/tn0431/ |access-date=2024-02-13 |website=Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. 20540 USA}}</ref><ref name=":2" /> Jesse French built up a chain of stores, managed from the main office in Nashville and later St. Louis, throughout the Southern states and became a pioneer in piano merchandizing.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last1=Kennedy |first1=Rick |title=Jelly Roll, Bix, and Hoagy: Gennett Records and the rise of America's musical grassroots |last2=Gioia |first2=Ted |date=2013 |publisher=Indiana University Press |isbn=978-0-253-00747-6 |edition= |location=Bloomington Indianapolis |pages=6–10}}</ref><ref name=":3" /> Eventually, the Jesse French Piano and Organ Company became a retailer for the [[Starr Piano Company]] of [[Richmond, Indiana]], which was known as the James Starr & Co. at the time.<ref name=":0" /> In 1891, Henry became the Vice President of the company and moved his family to St. Louis, Missouri.<ref name=":0" /> John Lumsden stayed in Nashville but expressed concern over Jesse French's high retail prices for some of the lower budget pianos sold such as Mozarts, Waverlys, and Majestics.<ref name=":0" /> In 1893, Henry Gennett and John Lumsden had become partial owners of roughly half of the reorganized Starr Piano Company, which French had invested in.<ref name=":0" /> By 1894, Henry Gennett had sold his interests in the Jesse French Company.<ref name=":0" /> An 1895 photo of the Starr Piano Company leadership includes Jesse French, who served on the Board of Directors for a few years.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Starr-Gennett Foundation |url=https://www.starrgennettfoundation.org/s-g-history |access-date=2024-02-13 |website=Starr-Gennett Foundation |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":0" /> |
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Jesse's business partner, Oscar Addison Field, eventually became his brother-in-law when he married Maria Lumsden on 29 August 1882.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Maria Lumsden in entry for Oscar A. Field, 1882 |url=https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XDM9-NHC |access-date=12 Feb 2024 |website=FamilySearch}}</ref> Jesse's other brother-in-law, Henry Gennett who was married to Alice Lumsden,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Entry for Henry Gennett and Alice M Lumsden, 13 Sep 1876 |url=https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KZ7R-H2M |access-date=12 Feb 2024 |website=FamilySearch}}</ref> and father-in-law, John Lumsden, were also involved in the company by the 1880s. |
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In 1896, the Jesse French Piano Company became a direct competitor to the [[Starr Piano Company]] when it merged with Alfred Krell and became "Krell-French."<ref name=":0" /> Pianos were manufactured in a large, ten acre factory in [[New Castle, Indiana]] which had three four-story buildings each 60 by 1000 feet.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":0" /> In 1902, Krell-French had a capitol of $550,000 in 1902.<ref name=":3" /> Krell resigned as president in 1905 and started the Auto Grand Company in [[Connersville, Indiana]] causing the firm to became "Jesse French & Sons."<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /> |
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| ⚫ | On May 7, 1927, Jesse French died at the age of 80 at his New Castle, Indiana home.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Entry for Jesse French, 9 May 1927 |url=https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:H5N1-FF6Z |access-date=12 Feb 2024 |website=FamilySearch}}</ref> The piano company was continued by Jesse's sons. In the 1930 census, Horace E. French is listed as the President while Jesse French, Jr. is the Vice President.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Entry for Horace E French and Nellie French, 1930 |url=https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XHMT-LF5 |access-date=12 Feb 2024 |website=FamilySearch}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Entry for Jesse French and Helen French, 1930 |url=https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XHMT-WW9 |access-date=12 Feb 2024 |website=FamilySearch}}</ref> Horace had experience in piano sales and construction, having worked for a year at the [[Starr Piano Company]]. Jesse Jr. also had sales experience and some office administration experience.<ref name=":1" /> |
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In 1896, the Jesse French Piano Company became a direct competitor to the Starr Piano Company when it merged with Alfred Krell and became "Krell-French."<ref name=":0" /> Pianos were manufactured in a large factory in [[New Castle, Indiana]].<ref name=":0" /> Krell left in 1905 and the firm became "Jesse French & Sons."<ref name=":0" /> |
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| ⚫ | Jesse French and Sons sometimes used the name "La Gonda Piano Company."<ref name=":1" /> By 1950, Jesse French and Sons were among the four remaining piano manufacturers in Indiana: [[Hobart M. Cable]], the Estey Piano Corporation, and the Janssen Piano Company.<ref name=":1" /> In 1955, The P. A. Stark Piano Company bought the Jesse French Piano Company, and built pianos under both the names of P. A. Stark and Jesse French & Sons until about 1965.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-08-31 |title=French, Jesse - Antique Piano Shop |url=https://antiquepianoshop.com/online-museum/french-jesse/,%20https://antiquepianoshop.com/online-museum/french-jesse/ |access-date=2024-02-13 |language=en-US}}</ref> |
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== Legacy == |
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| ⚫ | |||
| ⚫ | On May 7, 1927, Jesse French died at the age of 80 at his New Castle, Indiana home.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Entry for Jesse French, 9 May 1927 |url=https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:H5N1-FF6Z |access-date=12 Feb 2024 |website=FamilySearch}}</ref> The piano company was continued by Jesse's sons. In the 1930 census, Horace E. French is listed as the President while Jesse French, Jr. is the Vice President.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Entry for Horace E French and Nellie French, 1930 |url=https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XHMT-LF5 |access-date=12 Feb 2024 |website=FamilySearch}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Entry for Jesse French and Helen French, 1930 |url=https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XHMT-WW9 |access-date=12 Feb 2024 |website=FamilySearch}}</ref> |
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| ⚫ | Jesse French, Sr. was born on 23 July 1846 in [[Devon|Devon, England]]. By 1850, Jesse was living in [[New York City]] with his parents Jacob and Mary Ann French, and older sisters Julia and Henrietta. By 1860, Jesse had moved to [[Nashville, Tennessee]] with his parents, sisters, and a younger brother Henry.<ref name=":1" /> Jesse worked at the [[Nashville Post Office]] and studied law for several years in [[Peoria, Illinois]] before entering the music industry in 1873.<ref name=":1" /> On 2 January 1872, Jesse married Callie Lumsden.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Jesse French, "Tennessee Marriages, 1796-1950" |url=https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XD3R-68X |access-date=12 Feb 2024 |website=FamilySearch}}</ref><ref name=":2" /> |
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| ⚫ | In 1955, The P. A. Stark Piano Company bought the Jesse French Piano Company, and built pianos under both the names of P. A. Stark and Jesse French & Sons until about 1965.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-08-31 |title=French, Jesse - Antique Piano Shop |url=https://antiquepianoshop.com/online-museum/french-jesse/,%20https://antiquepianoshop.com/online-museum/french-jesse/ |access-date=2024-02-13 |language=en-US}}</ref> |
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== References == |
== References == |
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Revision as of 02:13, 13 March 2024
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Comment: Thanks for your submission! This draft relies too much on FamilySearch, which is not a reliable source. The subject of the draft is also unclear: the title says this is about a company, but the lead immediately begins with details from the life a person. As a result, it's impossible to figure out whether the subject passes the notability guideline for companies. Let me know if you have any questions! (please 
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The Jesse French Piano and Organ company began selling instruments in 1873 and was headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee and eventually St. Louis, Missouri and operated chain stores across the Midwest and South. The company eventually manufactured their own pianos in New Castle, Indiana under the names Krell-French and French & Sons.
History
In 1872, Jesse French became a partner in the Nashville R. Dorman and Company music dealership.[1] By 1875, Jesse French first sold pianos under the name "Dorman, French & Smith" in Nashville, Tennessee. Within a few years, French had bought out his partners.[2] In 1883, French formed "Field, French and Company," which was also known as the "Field-French Piano Company," in St. Louis, Missouri with his brother-in-law Oscar Field, who had married Maria Lumsden in 1882. By 1884, Jesse formed the Jesse French Piano & Organ Company with three business partners: Field, his father-in-law, John Lumsden and another brother-in-law Henry Gennett, who had married Alice Lumsden in 1876.[3] By 1885, French had jumped from a meager $3,000 capitol in 1873 to a capitol of $500,000.[4][2]
Between 1889-1890, a 4-story Queen Anne style brick building was constructed at 240 5th Avenue North in downtown Nashville.[5][3] Jesse French built up a chain of stores, managed from the main office in Nashville and later St. Louis, throughout the Southern states and became a pioneer in piano merchandizing.[6][4] Eventually, the Jesse French Piano and Organ Company became a retailer for the Starr Piano Company of Richmond, Indiana, which was known as the James Starr & Co. at the time.[6] In 1891, Henry became the Vice President of the company and moved his family to St. Louis, Missouri.[6] John Lumsden stayed in Nashville but expressed concern over Jesse French's high retail prices for some of the lower budget pianos sold such as Mozarts, Waverlys, and Majestics.[6] In 1893, Henry Gennett and John Lumsden had become partial owners of roughly half of the reorganized Starr Piano Company, which French had invested in.[6] By 1894, Henry Gennett had sold his interests in the Jesse French Company.[6] An 1895 photo of the Starr Piano Company leadership includes Jesse French, who served on the Board of Directors for a few years.[7][6]
In 1896, the Jesse French Piano Company became a direct competitor to the Starr Piano Company when it merged with Alfred Krell and became "Krell-French."[6] Pianos were manufactured in a large, ten acre factory in New Castle, Indiana which had three four-story buildings each 60 by 1000 feet.[2][6] In 1902, Krell-French had a capitol of $550,000 in 1902.[4] Krell resigned as president in 1905 and started the Auto Grand Company in Connersville, Indiana causing the firm to became "Jesse French & Sons."[6][2]
On May 7, 1927, Jesse French died at the age of 80 at his New Castle, Indiana home.[8] The piano company was continued by Jesse's sons. In the 1930 census, Horace E. French is listed as the President while Jesse French, Jr. is the Vice President.[2][9][10] Horace had experience in piano sales and construction, having worked for a year at the Starr Piano Company. Jesse Jr. also had sales experience and some office administration experience.[2]
Jesse French and Sons sometimes used the name "La Gonda Piano Company."[2] By 1950, Jesse French and Sons were among the four remaining piano manufacturers in Indiana: Hobart M. Cable, the Estey Piano Corporation, and the Janssen Piano Company.[2] In 1955, The P. A. Stark Piano Company bought the Jesse French Piano Company, and built pianos under both the names of P. A. Stark and Jesse French & Sons until about 1965.[11]
Early life of Jesse French, Sr.
Jesse French, Sr. was born on 23 July 1846 in Devon, England. By 1850, Jesse was living in New York City with his parents Jacob and Mary Ann French, and older sisters Julia and Henrietta. By 1860, Jesse had moved to Nashville, Tennessee with his parents, sisters, and a younger brother Henry.[2] Jesse worked at the Nashville Post Office and studied law for several years in Peoria, Illinois before entering the music industry in 1873.[2] On 2 January 1872, Jesse married Callie Lumsden.[12][3]
References
- ^ Sharp, Tim (2008). Images of America: Nashville Music Before Country. Charleston, South Carolina: Arcadia Publishing. pp. 109–110. ISBN 9780738553986.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Greenfield, Jack (1996). A History of Midwestern Piano Manufacturing. Kansas City, MO: Piano Technicians Foundation. pp. 48–9, 118–9, 126.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link) - ^ a b c Dahan, Charlie B.; Irmscher, Linda Gennett (2016). Gennett Records and Starr Piano. Images of America. Charleston, South Carolina: Arcadia Publishing. pp. 13, 17, 21. ISBN 978-1-4671-1725-8. OCLC 960907696.
- ^ a b c Roell, Craig H. (1989). The piano in America, 1890-1940. Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press. pp. 86, 89, 241. ISBN 978-0-8078-1802-2.
- ^ "Jesse French Piano and Organ Building, 240 5th Avenue North, Nashville, Davidson County, TN". Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. 20540 USA. Retrieved 2024-02-13.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Kennedy, Rick; Gioia, Ted (2013). Jelly Roll, Bix, and Hoagy: Gennett Records and the rise of America's musical grassroots. Bloomington Indianapolis: Indiana University Press. pp. 6–10. ISBN 978-0-253-00747-6.
- ^ "Starr-Gennett Foundation". Starr-Gennett Foundation. Retrieved 2024-02-13.
- ^ "Entry for Jesse French, 9 May 1927". FamilySearch. Retrieved 12 Feb 2024.
- ^ "Entry for Horace E French and Nellie French, 1930". FamilySearch. Retrieved 12 Feb 2024.
- ^ "Entry for Jesse French and Helen French, 1930". FamilySearch. Retrieved 12 Feb 2024.
- ^ "French, Jesse - Antique Piano Shop". 2017-08-31. Retrieved 2024-02-13.
- ^ "Jesse French, "Tennessee Marriages, 1796-1950"". FamilySearch. Retrieved 12 Feb 2024.