Charles Steinway

Biography

Charles Steinway, second son of Henry Engelhardt Steinway, was active among the political progressives during the 1848-49 revolutions in Germany and was forced to flee, arriving in New York in May 1849. His enthusiastic reports of American prospects persuaded the rest of the family to emigrate in 1851. Charles later managed the factory operations of Steinway & Sons, a role suited to his mechanical skill and organizational ability. Born January 1, 1829, he was described as a modest, retiring 'silent worker' who devoted himself entirely to the firm's ever-growing production, ultimately exhausting himself; he died young, at 36, on March 31, 1865. His work in organizing the factory was described as a foundation upon which his brothers Theodore and William built their later triumphs. Charles Steinway, a son of Henry Engelhardt Steinway, worked early in his career at a bench in the same room as Theodore A. Heintzmann at Lighte & Newton's New York factory. He later managed the Steinway factories, a role his brother Albert assumed after Charles's death. He was the father of Charles H. Steinway, who later became president of the Steinway corporation. From Spillane (1890): Charles Steinway, born in 1829 in Germany, was among the elder sons of Henry E. Steinway, founder of Steinway & Sons. He emigrated to New York in 1849, ahead of the rest of the family, having seen greater opportunities for advancement in the United States, and his father emigrated the following year at his solicitation. Charles was thoroughly experienced in the piano-making craft before emigrating and, on his father's arrival in 1850, was put through further practical training in New York's leading piano shops to learn American business methods. In March 1853 he became one of the founding members of Steinway & Sons alongside his father and brother Henry, Jr. Charles Steinway, second son of H. Steinway, was one of the two youngest members of Steinway & Sons and, like his brother Henry, was regarded as an eminent inventor. He died on March 31, 1865, in Brunswick, Germany, while on a visit there, the same year his brother Henry died in New York. His death was mourned as a serious loss to the firm and to piano-making generally. Charles Steinway was the father of three later members of the firm: Henry W. Steinway, Charles H. Steinway, and Frederick T. Steinway, all described as "highly educated" and practically trained in piano construction and acoustics.

Highlights

• Fled Germany after taking part in the revolutionary movements of 1848-49, arriving in New York in May 1849
• Managed the Steinway & Sons factory operations as a modest, tireless 'silent worker'
• Died at 36 from overwork, leaving a factory organization his brothers Theodore and William built upon
• Worked at a bench in Lighte & Newton's factory alongside Theodore A. Heintzmann
• Managed the Steinway factories until his death, after which brother Albert took over
• Emigrated to New York in 1849 ahead of the rest of the family and urged his father to follow.
• Became a founding member of Steinway & Sons in March 1853.
• Second son of H. E. Steinway; one of the two youngest members of the firm.
• Died March 31, 1865, in Brunswick, Germany, while on a visit there.
• Father of three later firm members: Henry W. T., Charles H., and Frederick T. Steinway.

Sources

Alfred Dolge, Pianos and Their Makers, Vol. I (1911), pp. 301, 302, 306, 312, 313.

Daniel Spillane, History of the American Pianoforte (1890), pp. 213, 215, 216, 220, 222.

Public domain.