Henry Behning, Sr.
Henry Behning, Sr. (3 November 1832 – 9 June 1905) was a German-born American piano maker. In 1861 he founded the Behning Piano Company in New York City which later became Behning & Sons when his children joined in piano manufacturing company. The company continued to make pianos until it was acquired by Kohler & Campbell in 1926. Kohler & Campbell continued to use the Behning & Sons name after acquiring the company.
Life and career
Henry Behning, Sr. was born in Hanover, Germany on 3 November 1832.[1] He apprenticed as a piano maker in the factory of Julius Gercke.[2] In 1856 he immigrated to the United States[1] where he initially worked in New York City for the piano manufacturing firm of Lighte, Newton, & Bradbury.[2] He left that job in 1857 to take another position with a company in Bridgeport, Connecticut.[1] His son, Henry Behning Jr., was born two years later. Behning, Sr. served briefly in the Union Army during the American Civil War.[3]
In 1861 Behning, Sr. founded the Behning Piano Company (BPC) in New York City.[4][5] In 1864 he was joined in this enterprise by Albrecht Klix;[2] opening a shop on Elm Street in New York City.[1] Justus Diehl joined the BPC as a partner in 1873.[2] In 1866 his son Albert was born, and in 1868 his son Gustav was born.[2]
After Klix's retirement,[2] Behning, Sr. brought his son Behning, Jr. into the BPC as a partner. At this time the company was rebranded Behning & Son.[1] Later both Albert and Gustav came to work for the company,[2] at which point the company became Behning & Sons.[1] The company was very successful during the latter part of the 19th century, and sold pianos as far away as the American Southwest.[1]
Behning died on June 9, 1905 at the age of 72.[6] His sons continued to operate the company until 1926 when it was acquired by Kohler & Campbell who continued to manufacture pianos using the Behning & Sons name.[5]
References
Citations
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Clinkscale 1993, p. 26.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Pauer 1895, p. 136.
- ↑ Dolge 1972, p. 320.
- ↑ Pratt & Boyd 1927, p. 128.
- 1 2 Pierce 1996, p. 39.
- ↑ "Died: Behning". The New York Times. June 9, 1905. p. 9.
Bibliography
- Clinkscale, Martha Novak (1993). "Behning, Henry". Makers of the Piano: 1820-1860. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0198166252.
- Dolge, Alfred (1972). Pianos and Their Makers: A Comprehensive History of the Development of the Piano from the Monochord to the Concert Grand Player Piano. Dover Publications.
- Pierce, Bob (1996). "Behning Piano Co.". Pierce Piano Atlas, 10th Edition. Larry E. Ashley. p. 39. ISBN 9780911138023.
- Pratt, Waldo Selden; Boyd, Charles N., eds. (1927). "Behning Piano Company". Grove's Dictionary of Music and Musicians. Theodore Presser Company. p. 128.
- Pauer, Ernst (1895). A Dictionary of Pianists and Composers for the Pianoforte : With an Appendix of Manufacturers of the Instrument. Novello, Ewer & Co.