
April 11, 1896: JT Brown Considers Portsmouth for Piano Factory
“The most important matter to be considered and the one for which the meeting was specially desired was the proposition for the establishment of a piano factory here. The company is to consist of WS Walker, of the veneer works, and JT Brown, of Bucyrus. Their plan is to raise $10000 by subscription from citizens. Subscriptions will be taken for any sum from $5 upwards and the amount paid may be applied on new pianos, repairing, tuning, etc. A committee will canvas the city soon with a subscription paper.”
“JR Hanna, a piano man, of Ironton who visited Bucyrus, where Mr. Brown has been located, was on hand Monday ight ready to report. He says that he ascertained that Mr. Brown made a first-class piano there and that all parties using them expressed their entire satisfaction. Mr. Brown was sick about a year which prevented his giving the business proper attention there and he decided to seek a new location. He expects to turn out from six to twelve pianos a week, employing about twenty-five people. the piano is known as the Golden Rod and Mr. Hanna says it is made of the best materials, has an excellent action and gives entire satisfaction.”1

April 15, 1896: That Piano Factory
“Messrs. Brown and Walker, who have formed a partnership for the manufacture of pianos under the firm name of The Golden Rod Piano Company, have about determined to go ahead and manufacture a few pianos without assistance from the board of trade. They have a good thing and will go ahead and put the pianos on the market. If no encouragement is given them here, they will likely locate the factory in some other city. Propositions from other cities, who want the concern, are being considered and if Portsmouth would be sure of keeping the industry here, it is well that action should not be delayed. A bonus is not asked for, only a little aid and encouragement in the way of a subscription for a few of the pianos. There will probably be a meeting of the board of trade called soon to take action in the matter.”2

April 29, 1896: Extend A Helping Hand to the Golden Rod Piano Company
“Messrs. Skelton, McFarlin and Thompson, the committee appointed by the board of trade to solicit for the sale of the New Boston lots to aid the Golden Rod Piano Company in the establishing of their plant in the city, will begin work immediately. They should meet with encouragement. Anyone wishing to make a good, safe investment cannot do better than subscribe for one of the 110 lots to be sold at $150 each. The lots are worth much more than this and they are all well-located and are very desirable. The committee working in conjunction with Messrs. Brown and Walker will also solicit for the sale of the pianos, a few of which will be sold at the start for $300. The Golden Rod is not a cheap, inferior piano, but a remarkable fine instrument and will sell for $400 when once the factory gets going.”3

May 2, 1896: Machinery Coming
“JT Brown, of the Golden Rod Piano Company, has returned from Bucyrus, where he went to make arrangements for the removal of his machinery to Portsmouth. A car load will arrive next week. The company has not been able so far to secure a suitable location for the building of the factory.”4

May 14, 1896: JT Brown Repairs Piano at Second Presbyterian Church
“JT Brown, the piano manufacturer and the promoter of the Golden Rod Piano Company, has just finished repairing the piano of the Second Presbyterian church. The instrument was a sad sight when placed in his hands, but he has practically made it over new and his work is highly praised. the committee was about to send the piano back to the factory to have it repaired at a cost of $200, when Mr. Brown took the job for $75. This is one of the advantages of having a practical piano man at home.”5

May 27, 1896: Piano Maker Steiger Joins the Golden Rod Piano Company
“Samuel Steiger, an expert piano maker of Bucyrus, arrived here and went to work this morning for the Golden Rod Piano Company.”6

July 7, 1896: W.S. Walker Visits Chicago
“WS Walker, of the Golden Rod Piano Company, returned today from Chicago, where he was looking after business interests.”7

August 11, 1896: The First Golden Rod Piano Completed
“The first complete piano from the Golden Rod Piano factory was turned out this week. It has been examined by many of the best musicians in the city and all pronounce it one of the sweetest, clearest toned and most beautifully finished instruments they have ever seen. Mr. Brown is pushing work on twelve other pianos and will turn out two complete instruments for sale every week from now on. He has had many obstacles to surmount in the beginning, but affairs are now shaping up and the factory is now fully on its feet and will go right on. All the instruments have been contracted for and parties stand ready to take them as fast as finished up. Messrs. Brown & Walker have a good thing, and with the proper aid and encouragement from our people will, in a few years, build up a big establishment. AT Holcomb gets the first piano turned out from the factory.”8

August 14, 1896: A Special Invitation to Examine the New Golden Rod Piano
“The Golden Rod Piano Company wish to extend a cordial invitation to the public in general, and especially the musicians of the city and vicinity, to call at the factory and examine their new piano, which is now on exhibition in the office of the Portsmouth Veneer company, on Mill Street, between Gay and Bond. The Golden Rod Company issues no special invitation to any musicians, but will take it as a great favor if they will consider this as such, a special invitation, and call at their earliest convenience.9

August 19, 1896: A Telephone Serenade
“The Times enjoyed a very pretty telephone serenade yesterday afternoon. The phone in this office were connected with that in the office of the Golden Rod Piano Company where the first piano made in Portsmouth was rolled up near the telephone. Henry Nageleisen played a selection which showed the instrument up in good shape. It is the first one finished up by the company at the factory in Portsmouth. A number of others are in process of manufacture, and a dozen or more will be completed very shortly, and they are willing to compare them with any make. The Times thanks the company for this serenade, and we hope we may soon hear Portsmouth pianos on every square.”10

August 26, 1896: Miss Sarah Stevens Purchases First Golden Rod Piano
“Miss Sarah Stevens bought the first piano made by the Golden Rod Piano Company. It is a fine instrument.11

September 18, 1896: Two More Golden Rods Completed
“The Golden Rod Piano Company finished up two new pianos this week. AT Holcomb and Frank Vincent are the purchasers of the new instruments. The Golden Rod is one of the finest pianos on the market.”12

September 21, 1896: Veneer Company’s Assignment
“The deed of assignment of the Portsmouth Veneer Company, to James Skelton, has been filed in Probate Court as noted in Saturday’s Times. The assets are given as $1000 personal property, with $12000 real estate. The company owns a number of lots in Chicago. It is not known what the liabilities are, members of the company refusing to give any figures. Approximately, the liabilities are over $30000. The company has been hanging on the ragged edge ever since the failure of the Citizens’ Savings Bank. The company was organized in 1889 as a stock company, with John W Overturf, president; AT Holcomb, vice-president; FM Smith, secretary, and WS Walker, treasurer and manager. In 1895 the company purchased the building occupied by the Nichols Furniture Works. The assignment of the Veneer Company in nowise affects the Golden Rod Piano Company. The Piano Company only occupied quarters at the Veneer Works, and the two companies are entirely separate and distinct.13

October 2, 1896: Another Piano Completed
“Mr. Brown, the proprietor and manager of the Golden Rod Piano Company, informs us that they have just finished another fine mahogany piano. This new firm seems to be moving right along in spite of dull business generally. May their days of prosperity never grow shorter.”14

October 8, 1896: Go and See and Hear the Golden Rod
“Mr. Brown, of the Golden Rod Piano Company, has one of their justly celebrated Golden Rod pianos on exhibition in the new seel building on Second street. A cordial invitation is extended the public to come in and see, hear, play and examine the piano. Some very choice music is to be rendered this evening.15

October 22, 1896: Have Twenty-Five Pianos Under Way
“The Golden Rod Piano factory started up this morning full-blast. Twenty-five pianos are in progress of completion.”16

December 2, 1896: Sale About Completed
“The Golden Rod Piano Company has about completed negotiation for the purchase of the old Fulton mill property, corner of Front and Chillicothe streets. The building will be equipped as a first-class piano factory. The Golden Rod is now being made at the Veneer works.”18

December 5, 1896: A New Company
“Mr. JT Brown, of the Golden Rod Piano Company, has arranged with a firm manufacturing pipe organs and orchastrans to move to this city and occupy part of the building recently purchased by his company from the Fulton heirs. The deal has been closed and the new company assured to Portsmouth.”
“The Fulton building will be repaired and remodeled so as to give three floors, 100’x48′. The organ company will occupy the southern end of the building and the piano company the northern end. Together they will employ about thirty-five to forty men and will be in operation all the year round. The product of the Golden Rod company is well-known in this city and has proven to be of superior excellence. A number of pianos have been sold and have all given splendid satisfaction. The organs and orchestrans manufactured by the concern coming here are of the best on the market. The two concerns expect to be in the building February 1st.19

“Mr. Brown, of the Golden Rod Piano Company, has begun work remodeling the old Fulton mill property, corner Front and Chillicothe streets, recently purchased. The building will be converted into a two-story structure, with all the modern, up-to-date equipments of a first-class piano factory. The small buildings in the rear of the lot will be torn down and a small cottage built on the site.”20
December 9, 1896: Will Make It A Two-Story Building

December 10, 1896: The Golden Rod Locating to Old Fulton Mill
“The Golden Rod Piano Company will soon be located in the old Fulton mill building, on the corner of Chillicothe and Front streets. This industry is worthy of the investigation of all our citizens, and if the enterprise is practical and the right parties have hold of it, it should be encouraged. There is no question as to the quality and value of the Golden Rod piano. It is an excellent piano. From small beginnings large results sometimes flown, and this, no doubt, will be the result in this instance. Mr. Brown asks temporary assistance from our citizens. For all amounts advanced him, he will give a due bill, to be redeemed either in tuning, repairing or in the purchase of a piano. Due bills are transferable. A thorough investigation on the part of our citizens might induce them to give aid to a desirable industry.”21

December 18, 1896: Ever See a Piano Made?
“Anyone wishing to see a first-class piano in progress of building can do so by calling at the Golden Rod Piano factory on Mill street. Quite a number of instruments are in various stages of completion, and Mr. Brown will be pleased to show and explain everything to those interested.”22

December 23, 1896: Mr. Hussey Builder at the Golden Rod Piano
“Call at the Golden Rod Piano factory and see how a piano is made. We will take great pride in giving you all the information about pianos. We have none but skilled mechanics. Mr. Hussey was with the Chickering Piano Company for twelve years.”23

December 23, 1896: Four Golden Rod Pianos Ready For Christmas
“We will have four pianos completed for the Christmas trade. You want to get one for your daughter, son or sister. -Golden Rod Piano Company”24

December 23, 1896: The Golden Rod Piano Warranty
“The Golden Rod piano is warranted for seven years, and we keep it in tune one year free.”25

January 12, 1897: Golden Piano Company Wanted Advertisement
“Wanted- A thirty to thirty-five horsepower boiler and a twenty-five horsepower engine. Apply at Golden Rod Piano Company.”26

January 28, 1897: JT Brown Returns from Longville, Virginia
“JT Brown, of the Golden Rod Piano Company, returned last night from a business trip to Longville, Virginia.”27

January 16, 1897: Thorough Bass: Perfect Harmony From a Full Chord
“There was some misgiving on the part of some people as to the success of the Golden Rod Piano Company when Mr. Brown first sought to locate here, but it has long since given way to confidence in the ultimate success of the enterprise. In this, as has been demonstrated in other legitimate business enterprises in a good thing, in the hands of a man who understands his business, success is sure to crown persistent effort.”
“It is only about a year ago since Mr. Brown came here, organized a company and commenced the manufacture of the Golden Rod piano. In this short time he has manufactured and sold ten pianos and now has thirteen more in course of construction. This certainly speaks well for the enterprise and for the popularity of the instrument, which is certainly a superior instrument, from a musical standpoint, and, as a piece of furniture, is both artistic in design and elegant in finish. That one of the Golden Rod is soft, clear, and melodious, the action perfect, and the touch light and responsive. In short, it is a first-class instrument. There is no stronger proof of this claim than the fact that ten Golden Rods have been sold during the first year they have been on the market.”
“The company recently purchased the old Fulton mill property, at the corner of Chillicothe and Front streets, and remodeled is to accommodate their machinery and for the storage of stock and finished work. Into this they will now move from the buildings of the defunct Veneer works, where they have been located.”
“An organ factory will occupy a part of the building, and in a short time the hum of machinery will again enliven this long silent corner.”
“When the Golden Rod Piano company and the organ factory get to running in full blast, they will furnish employment for about fifty men, and the board of trade and people of Portsmouth, generally, should see that Mr. Brown is not forgotten when it comes to taking stock in profitable, labor-employing industries. Keep your eye on the Golden Rod Piano Company, and do not fail to put your shoulder to the wheel when an opportunity offers.”28

January 19, 1897: Win A Fine Piano at CO Seebohm & Company’s
“There is on exhibition in the show window of CO Seebohm & Company an immense squash. Arrangements have been made by which the first person who correctly guesses, or comes the nearest in their guess to the number of seeds in this squash will be presented with one of the handsome new Golden Rod pianos. To entitle a person to guess, they must purchase a ticket to a grand ball which is to be given in the near future in Kendall’s hall. One thousand of these tickets will be sold, the price being 50 cents each.”
“To insure the rapid sale of the tickets, Mr. Seebohm will give a prize of one share of stock in The Scioto Shoe Manufacturing Company to the person selling the greatest number of tickets. The person selling the second largest number will receive a handsome mandolin, and the third will receive a guitar.”
“The tickets were secured today and will be on sale at Seebohm’s store this evening.”29

February 5, 1897: Golden Rod Factory Getting in Machinery
“The Golden Rod Piano Company is putting in new machinery this week. The boiler is being put into position today and the other machinery will all be up and ready for work in a few days.”30

February 5, 1897: Advertisement for Seebohm’s Drug Store & Golden Rod Piano
“Don’t forget that squash at Seebohm’s Drug Store. A guess on the number of seeds may win you a Golden Rod piano.”31

February 6, 1897: Golden Rod Piano For Sale
“For Sale- A new Golden Rod piano cheap at 191 East Third street.”32

March 22, 1897: No Loafing Allowed Outside the Golden Rod Piano Factory
“JT Brown, of the Golden Rod Piano factory, has determines to break up the practice a big crowd of loafers have of hanging around the factory at the corner of Front and Chillicothe. The police have been instructed to break up the gang. Mr. Brown has the names of all the loafers and proposes to prosecute them, if necessary.”33

March 27, 1897: JT Brown Seriously Ill
“JT Brown, of the Golden Rod Piano factory, is seriously ill at his home on Gay Street.”34

April 5, 1897: The Obituary of John T Brown of the Golden Rod Piano Company
“The city was startled this morning by the announcement of the death of JT Brown, the well-known organizer and manager of the Golden Rod Piano Company. It was generally known that he had been a very sick man for the past two weeks, but his condition was not considered dangerous until within a few hours of his death, which occurred at five o’clock this morning. Death was due to an attack of typhoid-pneumonia.”
“Deceased was forty-six years old and came here about a year ago from Bucyrus. His home was originally in Tuscarawas County. He has been engagaed for a number of years in the pain and organ business, and in the brief time he has been in Portsmouth succeeded in interesting many of our prominent businessmen in the manufacture of the Golden Rod piano, an instrument embodying many original inventions of his own. The Golden Rod Piano Company was organized and the enterprise was just beginning to get its feet with the brightest prospects ahead of any new industry in the city. Mr. Brown had the full confidence of the people. He was a man of rare executive ability, and his death comes as a severe blow to the city.”
“Mr. Brown leaves a wife and three children. The funeral arrangements have not yet been made.”35

April 6, 1897: Mr. Brown’s Funeral
“The funeral of Mr. JT Brown will be held tomorrow morning from the late residence on Gay Street, at ten o’clock. Reverend Dr. Tappan will conduct the services.”36

April 8, 1897: Golden Rod Partners Endeavor to Keep the Business Going
“Arrangements are to be made whereby the Golden Rod Piano company, of which JT Brown was the head, will continue business. William Copeland, formerly of the Ewing-Folsom queensware store, is a half owner in the business, and together with Mr. Brown’s son, they will endeavor to go right ahead making and selling pianos. The death of Mr. Brown was a great blow to this business. He worked day and night to get the establishment on its feet, and it seems the irony of fate that he should be called away just when everything was coming his way. The enterprise is one that Portsmout hcan ill afford to lose. Let a helping hand be extended the partners of Mr. Brown. Business men should see to it that the enterprise does not fall through for want of encouragement.”37

April 16, 1897: Back to His Old Home
“The body of JT Brown, The Golden Rod Piano man, was shipped by Adams Express this evening to his old home at Gnadenhutten, Tuscarawas County, for final burial.”38

“It is stated by the Chillicothe Gazette that Mr. OJ Prante, of that city, has organized a company and will begin the manufacture of orchestral organs. This will be the only factory of its kind in this country. The number of workmen employed will be small, as skilled labor is required at every stage of the work. Mr. Prante is an organ repairer and builder of some note. He spends several months of each year in this city, fixing up local church organs. It might be said that but for the untimely death of Mr. JT Brown, of the Golden Rod Piano Company, this new industry would have been secured to Portsmouth. Mr. Brown had made all arrangements with Mr. Prante by which the latter was to occupy part of the Golden Rod company’s factory. He was to have located here in a few weeks. Since the death of Mr. Brown it seems that Mr. Pranto has made other arrangements.”39

June 10, 1897: JT Brown’s Estate
“An inventory of the estate of JT Brown has been filed in probate court. It amounts to $1300, all personal property. The widow was allowed $560 for one year’s support.40

June 21, 1897: Former Hussey to Replevin Bicycle from Golden Rod Piano Customer
“Attorney Joe Coates filed a suit for John A Hussey to replevin a bicycle from John B Rottinghaus this afternoon, in mayor’s court. Hussey worked for the late JT Brown, the piano man. Brown sold a piano to Rottinghaus and was to take three bicycles in exchange, one of which was to go to Hussey. He left the wheel at Rottinghaus’, he claims, and when he went for it, after Brown’s death, Mr. Rottinghaus refused to let him have it. Now he wants to replevin the wheel.”41

June 29, 1897: Brown’s Family Going to Canton
“Miss Edna and Mr. Arthur Brown, children of the late JT Brown, leave today for Bucyrus, Ohio. They will be joined Saturday by Mrs. Brown. After a short visit with friends there they will proceed to Canton, where they will make their future home.”42

May 31, 1898: Golden Rod Employee Returns to Sandusky, Ohio
“Sam Staiger, the hardwood finisher at the Veneer works, formerly with the Golden Rod Piano Company, has sold the agency for this county for his lightning polish to FC Daehler, the furniture dealer, and has returned to his home in Sandusky, Ohio.”43

June 3, 1898: FC Daehler Distributes Golden Rod Lightning Polish
“FC Daehler has bought the right of Mr. Sam Staiger to make the celebrated polish called Lightning Cleaner. Mr. Sam Staiger was the polisher for the Golden Rod Piano Company. Sold in pints, quarts or gallons, or by the bottle.”
“This polish has a wonderful reputation here, being used by hundreds of people.”44
- Ten White Cards. (1896, April 11). Portsmouth Times, p. 11.
- That Piano Factory. (1896, April 15). Portsmouth Daily Times, p. 4.
- Extend A Helping Hand. (1896, April 29). Portsmouth Daily Times, p. 1.
- Machinery Coming. (1896, May 2). Portsmouth Daily Times, p. 4.
- Saved the Church $125. (1896, May 14). Portsmouth Daily Times, p. 1
- A Piano Maker. (1896, May 27). Portsmouth Daily Times, p. 4.
- (1896, July 7). Portsmouth Daily Times, p. 4.
- Their First Piano. (1896, August 11). Portsmouth Daily Times, p. 5.
- A Special Invitation. (1896, August 14). Portsmouth Daily Times, p. 3.
- A Telephone Serenade. (1896, August 19). Portsmouth Daily Times, p. 3.
- (1896, August 26). Portsmouth Daily Times, p. 8.
- Two More Golden Rods. (1896, September 18). Portsmouth Daily Times, p. 8.
- Veneer Company’s Assignment. (1896, September 21). Portsmouth Daily Times, p. 8.
- Another Piano. (1896, October 2). Portsmouth Daily Times, p. 8.
- Go and See and Hear the Golden Rod. (1896, October 8). Portsmouth Daily Times, p. 1.
- Have Twenty-Five Under Way. (1896, October 22). Portsmouth Daily Times, p. 5.
-
December 4, 1896: Bought for $3500
“The Golden Rod Piano Company has closed the deal with Dr. Fulton for the purchase of the old mill property, corner of Front and Chillicothe streets. The consideration was $3500.”17Bought for $3,500. (1896, December 4). Portsmouth Daily Times, p. 1.
- A New Company. (1896, December 5). Portsmouth Daily Times, p. 1.
- Will Make It a Two-Story Building. (1896, December 9). Portsmouth Daily Times, p. 5.
- (1896, December 10). Portsmouth Daily Times, p. 2.
- Ever See a Piano Made? (1896, December 18). Portsmouth Daily Times, p. 6.
- (1896, December 23). Portsmouth Times, p. 4.
- (1896, December 23). Portsmouth Daily Times, p. 5.
- (1896, December 23). Portsmouth Daily Times, p. 5.
- (1897, January 12). Portsmouth Daily Times, p. 4.
- (1897, January 28). Portsmouth Daily Times, p. 2.
- Thorough Bass. (1897, January 16). Portsmouth Daily Times, p. 3.
- A Fine Piano. (1897, January 19). Portsmouth Daily Times, p. 1.
- Getting in Machinery. (1897, February 5). Portsmouth Daily Times, p. 8.
- (1897, February 5). Portsmouth Daily Times, p. 8.
- (1897, February 6). Portsmouth Daily Times, p. 4.
- No Loafing Allowed. (1897, March 22), p. 3.
- (1897, March 27). Portsmouth Daily Times, p. 5.
- Obituary. (1897, April 5). Portsmouth Daily Times, p. 4.
- Mr. Brown’s Funeral. (1897, April 6). Portsmouth Daily Times, p. 1.
- Golden Rod Pano Co. (1897, April 8). Portsmouth Daily Times, p. 3.
- Back to His Old Home. (1897, April 16). Portsmouth Daily Times, p. 4.
- A Deal Gone Wrong. (1897, April 16). Portsmouth Daily Times, p. 8.
- J.T. Brown’s Estate. (1897, June 10). Portsmouth Daily Times, p. 8.
- To Replevin a Bicycle. (1897, June 21). Portsmouth Daily Times, p. 5.
- Going to Canton. (1897, June 29). Portsmouth Daily Times, p. 3.
- Gone to Sandusky. (1898, May 31). Portsmouth Daily Times, p. 4.
- (1898, June 3). Portsmouth Daily Times, p. 4.