Henry Behr

Biography

Henry Behr was born at Hamburg, Germany, in 1848, to a family prominent among Hamburg's merchant class; his father, in the hardware export trade, moved the family to New York in 1849. Henry left school at twelve to assist in his father's skate-manufacturing business. He enlisted in January 1864, at seventeen, in the 169th Regiment, New York National Guard, fought in five major battles, and was among the few survivors when Fort Fisher's magazine exploded, destroying most of the regiment; he was honorably discharged in April 1865 from a hospital at David's Island. He then worked selling varnish and glue on commission, which connected him to piano case manufacturers. After a major customer's 1875 bankruptcy he was appointed receiver, then bought the stock and machinery and partnered with Leopold Peck as Behr and Peck making piano cases; when his brother Edward Behr bought out Peck's interest in 1876 the firm became Behr Brothers. In 1881, with Paul G. Mehlin, the firm began manufacturing pianos as Behr Brothers and Company. In 1901 Behr grand pianos were used in concert by pianist Xaver Scharwenka, and Behr pianos were introduced to the imperial conservatories at Berlin and St. Petersburg. By the time of writing he had built a business of nearly forty years, regarded as one of the industry's most respected leaders. From Spillane (1890): Henry Behr, senior partner of Behr Brothers & Co., was born in Hamburg, Germany, in 1848 and came to the United States at a very early age. He was a Grand Army veteran, having served honorably in the 169th New York Regiment of Volunteers during the Civil War, including a year in General Terry's division of the Army of the Potomac. He entered piano-making and began manufacturing piano cases for the trade in 1875, becoming known as an original and practical designer; he authored many novel designs in case ornamentation and structure, including the widely copied Lincrusta panel designs. In 1881 he and his brother Edward Behr founded Behr Brothers, resolving to build only instruments of the highest grade and to encourage new mechanical improvements. The firm's rapid success was described as almost unparalleled except for Steinway & Sons and Albert Weber, Sr. When the house became a close corporation on January 1, 1890, Henry Behr was named an incorporator and remained, with Edward Behr, a practical head of the firm.

Highlights

• Born at Hamburg, Germany in 1848; emigrated with family to New York in 1849
• Civil War veteran, enlisted 1864 in the 169th New York National Guard, survived the Fort Fisher explosion
• Founded the firm that became Behr Brothers and Company; had his grand pianos played by pianist Xaver Scharwenka in 1901
• Senior partner and co-founder of Behr Brothers, established 1881 with his brother Edward Behr
• Originated many novel case-ornamentation designs, including the well-known Lincrusta closed-panel designs
• Civil War veteran who served in the 169th New York Volunteer Regiment and one year in General Terry's division of the Army of the Potomac

Sources

Alfred Dolge, Pianos and Their Makers, Vol. II (1913), pp. 40, 41.

Daniel Spillane, History of the American Pianoforte (1890), pp. 271, 275.

Public domain.