Ira L. Grinnell

Biography

Raised on a farm in New York State, Ira L. Grinnell went west and became a successful dealer in sewing machines and bicycles before entering the organ, piano, and musical merchandise trade in 1882. With his brother Clayton A. Grinnell he founded Grinnell Brothers in Detroit with $10,000 capital, building a chain of retail stores across Michigan and Ontario that became, by the text's account, the largest distributor of musical instruments and merchandise in the northwestern United States. In 1903 the firm began manufacturing its own pianos, establishing factories in Detroit and Windsor, Canada. Described as an indefatigable worker, shrewd businessman, and excellent judge of men, Grinnell fostered loyalty among his employees and converted the firm into a corporation in July 1912 with authorized capital of $3,750,000, some employees becoming stockholders and officers. He served as president and general manager, assisted by his brother as first vice-president.

Highlights

• Began in 1869 by investing sixty dollars in six hand sewing machines, later becoming president of a corporation doing over three million dollars a year in pianos and musical merchandise
• Founded Grinnell Brothers in Detroit in 1882 with his brother Clayton A. Grinnell, starting with $10,000 capital
• Built Grinnell Brothers into what was considered the largest distributor of musical instruments in the northwestern United States, establishing piano factories in Detroit and Windsor, Canada in 1903

Source

Alfred Dolge, Pianos and Their Makers, Vol. II (1913), pp. 100, 101.

Public domain.