Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-16
AN OLD PIANO HOUSE
John F. Ellis & Company
Established in 1869.
THEY PUBLISH MUSIC
FAMOUS COMPOSITIONS HAVE
ORIGINATED WITH THEM.
Well Equipped an6 Progressive Es-
Establishment Carries Full
Stock Pianos.

The firm OF John F. Ellis & Co. No. 097
Pennsylvania avenue, 30 long and well
known to the citizens Of Washington, as
wei as throughout the United States. was
established and founded by Mr.. John r.
ELLIS OF Norfolk, Va. in 1852, at which
time he bought out the fancy goods and
stationery business of Mr.. Harry ]. Mo
Laughiin. situated two doors west Of the
present location, and added to 1t stock
| OF sheet music and musical instruments.
His business increased to such an extent
that in 1856 he was able to buy the plano
and music business of his competitor, Mr..
Richard Davis, located few doors to the
east, In the same square, on Pennsylvania
avenue between 9th and 10th Streets and
from that time he devoted himself exclu-
siveiy to the piano and music business.
which continued to prosper and grow untl.
being compelled to rent additional quarters
TO accommodate his large and increasing
stock, hnally in 1860 he purchased the pres
emit location from MIR. Lewis johnson, the
banker, and built the four story iron front
building No. 937 Pennsylvania avenue,
which was pronounced to be the finest and
most complete music establishment in the
United States.
AS business man Mr.. Ellis was genera
| ton In advance Of his age; every move he
made was a success. He was believer
in the power of the printing press. and was
large advertiser in the daily papers, be-
SIDES engaging in numerous advertising
schemes and enterprises. On the 4th Of
February. 1870 In the fortfeth year of his
age, he departed this life, valuable cti-
zen and Christian gentleman, being sur
vtved by his widow, two daughters and a
son, Mr.. Harry II. Ellis. Mrs. Ellis con-
tinued the business out of respect to the
memory of her lamented husband as we'll
as with the hope and expectation that one
day her son would fill his fathers place
In the business world
Harry died July II, 1889. Since Septem-
Der 1, 1882, the business has been con-
Quoted under the firm name Of John F. Ell
lis & Co. In the sole interest Of Mrs Mary
A. Ellis by Mr.. Charles B. Bayly, native
OF Washington, who had been associated
with her husband In business from Deem
ber 1867, to October, 1869, at which time he
went to Baltimore city and accepted a con-
fidential position with Mr.. Otto Sutro
which he resigned In 1882 at the request Of
Mrs Ellis to take the management of her
business, as stated above. This firm does
large publishing business, having cata-
logue Of upward of 1000 subjects, among
the valuable copyright Of which are num-
Der OF beautiful compositions OF Dr. J. w.
Bischof. J: r. Thomas. Harrison Willard.
Anton Strelezld, VIII 8. Hays. Hubbard T.
Smith ana many others. Our readers are
familiar with many Of the compositions Of
the aforementioned eminent composers,
as Toid Ne f1! You sT Love me- pari
ing. Tell Me With Your Eyes," Listen to
My Tale Of Woe" Wandering Refugee"
Fathers a Drunkard and Mother Is Dead
and many others too numerous to mention.
Besides the music publishing business this
firm fs largely engaged In the selling Of
pianos and organs and small musical In
struments. being sole agents for the Dis
trct Of Columbia and the adjacent coun-
ties in Maryland and Virginia for the sale
Of the famous George Steck pianos, the
Decker Son. the Needhan,, the Pease and
other reliable pianos and the old celebrated
ornn al
for the Maurer guitars and mandolins and
the Victor talking machines, and they also
deal in the genuine Stewart banjos and
every conceivable musical instrument. Be-
sides their own publications they keep
complete stock Of sheet music and music
books Of all the large publishers. The
building in which their business Is carried
on Is an imposing four-story white iron
front running through from No. 937 Penn
sylvania avenue to $50 street northwest,
fronting on both streets.
The first floor is devoted to sheet music,
music books, musical Instruments and mu-
steal merchandise. The Office and elevator
running from the cellar to the fourth floor
are In the rear of the store, or, more prop
erly speaking, on the D street front. The
second floor is a commodious piano sales
room where may always be found fine
stock of first class grand and upright pi-
amos, every one of which Is fully guaran-
teed, and child is as safe in selecting an
instrument from this stock as the most Gull
tured and experienced musician. The third
floor is used as a sales room for new and
secondhand organs and secondhand up
right and square pianos. The fourth floor
Is used as a wholesale department and for
storage purposes, also repair shop.
Some of the best plano repair work in the
country Is done here.
They make specially of tuning and re-
pairing pianos and organs, and also move,
pack and ship pianos and organs. In con-
clusion, we take pleasure In saying the
methods Of this firm are clean and
straight" They are reliable and respon-
sible and our readers will find 1t satisfac-
ton to deal with them.