Bernhard Shoninger

Biography

Bernhard Shoninger was among the pioneers of the melodeon and organ industry. A native of Germany, he landed in America in 1847 and started his factory at New Haven, Connecticut, in 1850. Branching out into the making of pianos, he secured for his instruments the same enviable reputation that had been accorded to his organs. Bernhard Shoninger died on June 3, 1910. From Spillane (1890): Bernard Shoninger, head of the B. Shoninger Piano firm of New Haven, Conn., was a native of Bavaria, Germany. He arrived in the United States in 1847, and in 1850 began the manufacture of melodeons in New Haven. His old organ house began manufacturing pianos over fifteen years before the time of writing and, in the interval, built up a large trade, with the well-known B. Shoninger piano maintaining New York warerooms. His son, Simon B. Shoninger, joined him in the firm as an able business man.

Highlights

• Pioneer of the melodeon and organ industry; a native of Germany who landed in America in 1847
• Started his factory in New Haven, Connecticut, in 1850, later branching into piano manufacturing with equal success
• Native of Bavaria, Germany, who emigrated to the United States in 1847.
• Began manufacturing melodeons in New Haven, Conn., in 1850, later expanding the firm into piano manufacture.

Sources

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

Daniel Spillane, History of the American Pianoforte (1890), p. 307.

Public domain.