John Ludwig

Biography

John Ludwig was born in New York in 1858 and learned the piano trade from his father, who had built pianos in Hamburg, Germany. After serving his apprenticeship he worked for several leading New York firms before joining with Charles A. Ericsson to found Ludwig and Company in 1899. Under the partnership the firm grew rapidly, becoming an incorporated company in 1902. Ludwig retired from the business in 1911, described as enjoying a well-earned rest as owner of a large fruit ranch in West Virginia. The text credits the firm's rise to the self-sacrifice, integrity, and business acumen of its two founders. John Ludwig is mentioned as the piano-trade mentor under whom Gottlieb Heller studied for two years, rounding out Heller's training after Heller had already worked in two prominent piano factories. No further biographical detail is given about Ludwig in this text beyond his role in Heller's education.

Highlights

• Learned his trade from his father, who had built pianos in Hamburg, Germany
• Co-founded Ludwig and Company with Charles A. Ericsson in 1899
• Retired in 1911 to a fruit ranch in West Virginia
• Instructed Gottlieb Heller in piano construction for two years before Heller went into business for himself in 1900.

Source

Alfred Dolge, Pianos and Their Makers, Vol. II (1913), pp. 144, 203.

Public domain.