John V. Steger

Biography

John V. Steger was born in Suavia (Swabia) about 60 years before the book's writing, described as possessing the energetic, shrewd, and tenacious traits the author attributes to the Bavarian ('Bajuvarian') people. He landed in Chicago at age 17 and found work in a brass foundry. After accumulating small capital, he partnered with a piano tuner to open a piano store, soon becoming its sole owner. Observing other dealers' success in manufacturing, he bought a small factory near Chicago and, following J. P. Hale's example, began making a commercial piano for the wholesale trade at a modest margin, creating large demand. The town of Steger grew up around his expanding factory buildings on the prairie. Described as a shrewd financier and bold manipulator in the piano trade, he accumulated great wealth in a short time and was counted, at the time of writing, among the largest piano producers in the west.

Highlights

• Born in Suavia about 60 years before the book's writing; landed in Chicago at age 17 and worked in a brass foundry
• Built a piano store into sole ownership, then followed J. P. Hale's example to manufacture a commercial wholesale piano
• The town of Steger, Illinois grew up around his expanding factory; became one of the largest piano producers in the west

Source

Alfred Dolge, Pianos and Their Makers, Vol. I (1911), p. 361.

Public domain.