Benjamin Starr

Biography

Benjamin Starr, with his brother James, acquired an interest in the Ripley/Richmond, Indiana piano concern founded by Trayser. In 1884 the Starr Brothers obtained control of the business and renamed it the Starr Piano Company, with Benjamin Starr as manager. After Henry Gennett and associates later took control and expanded the business, Benjamin Starr superintended the factories, ably assisted by Harry Gennett, while Gennett handled business management and distribution. Benjamin Starr died in 1903, having had the satisfaction of seeing the small factory with which he started grow into an establishment producing about 18,000 pianos annually of a quality above the ordinary market instrument. A portrait photograph of him accompanies the text.

Highlights

• Became manager of the Starr Piano Company when the Starr Brothers took control in 1884
• Superintended the factories, assisted by Harry Gennett
• Died in 1903 after seeing the firm grow to producing about 18,000 pianos annually

Source

Alfred Dolge, Pianos and Their Makers, Vol. I (1911), pp. 348, 349.

Public domain.