Nahum Stetson

Biography

Nahum Stetson, descended from Robert (Cornet) Stetson, an English immigrant who settled Plymouth Colony in 1634, was born in Bridgewater, Massachusetts, on December 5, 1856. Poor health forced him to abandon university plans, and he became assistant cashier of the Bridgewater Iron Company, founded by his grandfather. In 1875 he became confidential clerk, then secretary, to John S. Albert, chief of the U.S. Navy's Bureau of Machinery at the Centennial Exposition, where he met Albert Steinway. This led to his hiring as a retail salesman for Steinway in November 1876. Having studied piano under B. J. Lang and William Mason, Stetson himself preferred Steinway pianos, though he initially balked at buying one after poor treatment by a salesman -- only to become Steinway Hall's head salesman eight years later. He was a charter member and first secretary of the New York Piano Manufacturers' Association, later becoming a Steinway stockholder, director, and secretary, and serving as director of branch houses in San Francisco, St. Louis, Chicago, and Philadelphia. Also a composer, his works were performed by Theodore Thomas, P. S. Gilmore, and Clarence Eddy, with his first composition published by Ditson and Company in 1876. From Spillane (1890): Nahum Stetson was born December 5, 1856, in Bridgewater, Massachusetts. His connection with Steinway & Sons began in 1876. He was described as enjoying "the fullest confidence of his confrères" and as fitted by experience and ability for the position he held in the firm, with "hosts of warm friends."

Highlights

• Became Steinway Hall's head salesman only eight years after refusing to buy a Steinway because of poor treatment by a salesman
• Charter member and first secretary of the New York Piano Manufacturers' Association
• Composer whose works were performed by Theodore Thomas, P. S. Gilmore, and Clarence Eddy and published by Ditson and Company in 1876
• Born at Bridgewater, Massachusetts; connected with Steinway & Sons since 1876.
• Described as enjoying "the fullest confidence of his confrères."

Sources

Alfred Dolge, Pianos and Their Makers, Vol. II (1913), pp. 188, 189, 190.

Daniel Spillane, History of the American Pianoforte (1890), pp. 222, 223.

Public domain.