George H. Davis

Biography

George H. Davis took Brown's place in the Boston piano firm in 1843, and the business was renamed Hallet, Davis & Company, a title it kept while enjoying more or less success. Following Davis's death on December 1, 1879, the business was incorporated, later coming under the management of E. N. Kimball, C. C. Conway, and E. E. Conway. From Spillane (1890): George H. Davis, a native of New Hampshire like Isaac Woodward, acquired his knowledge of the piano trade during an early residence in Boston and became a manufacturer while still a young man. He co-founded Hallet, Davis & Company with Russell Hallet and Henry Allen, later withdrew and briefly partnered with F. B. Hallet under the same name, and was known up to 1879 as the presiding genius of the popular firm that became Hallet & Davis. Under his direction the house's grand piano won the gold medal at the New York Mechanics' Institute exhibition of 1853, a jury that included Henry C. Watson and W. Vincent Wallace. Davis died on December 1, 1879.

Highlights

• Joined the Boston firm in 1843 after Brown's retirement, forming Hallet, Davis & Company
• Died December 1, 1879, after which the business was incorporated
• Co-founder of Hallet, Davis & Company, known up to 1879 as the presiding genius of the firm
• Native of New Hampshire who acquired his knowledge of the piano business during an early residence in Boston
• A Hallet, Davis & Company grand won the gold medal at the 1853 New York Mechanics' Institute exhibition

Sources

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

Daniel Spillane, History of the American Pianoforte (1890), pp. 167, 169, 170.

Public domain.