Henry Lindeman

Biography

Henry Lindeman, believing that modern business required more than public schooling and practical tool skill, arranged for his son Samuel G. Lindeman to complete a scientific course at New York University. After Samuel finished a year in banking, Henry brought him into the family firm, personally guiding him for three years through the practical and theoretical art of piano building. Henry Lindeman later took direct charge of tutoring his grandson, Gillis R. Lindeman, in scale drawing, continuing the family's multi-generational involvement in piano construction under the firm name Henry and S. G. Lindeman. Henry Lindeman was born in New York on August 3, 1838, the son of piano maker William Lindeman. He was admitted to partnership in his father's firm in 1857. In 1860 he introduced the 'Cycloid' piano, a compromise design between a grand and a square piano, which gave the firm a strong hold on the piano-buying public. After William Lindeman's death on December 24, 1875, Henry assumed management and continued his father's work, pushing the firm into the front rank of makers. In 1901 his own son, Samuel G. Lindeman, was admitted to the business, and the firm name became Henry and S. From Spillane (1890): Henry Lindeman, Sr. was the eldest son of William Lindeman, founder of the Lindeman piano business. He was taken into partnership with his father prior to 1860, at which point the firm's name changed from William Lindeman to Lindeman & Son, and later to Lindeman & Sons with the accession of a younger family member. Born in New York City on August 3, 1838, he was described by Spillane as bearing a high reputation both as a practical piano-maker and as a businessman. Following William Lindeman's death on December 24, 1875, the business continued under the name Henry Lindeman & Sons, with Henry as its head, carrying forward the firm's reputation for artistic-grade instruments.

Highlights

• Invented the 'Cycloid' piano (a compromise between grand and square) introduced in 1860
• Admitted to partnership in 1857; took over management after his father's death in 1875
• Firm renamed Henry and S. G. Lindeman after his son Samuel joined in 1901
• Induced his son Samuel G. Lindeman to obtain a scientific university education before entering the family piano business
• Personally guided Samuel through three years of practical and theoretical study of piano building
• Later tutored his grandson Gillis R. Lindeman directly in scale drawing
• Eldest son of William Lindeman, taken into partnership before 1860, forming Lindeman & Son and later Lindeman & Sons
• Became head of Henry Lindeman & Sons following his father's death in 1875
• Born in New York City, August 3, 1838; held a high reputation as both a practical piano-maker and businessman

Sources

Alfred Dolge, Pianos and Their Makers, Vol. I (1911); Vol. II (1913), p. 136.

Daniel Spillane, History of the American Pianoforte (1890), pp. 187, 188.

Public domain.