The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1906-01-28
Largely Due to Its Enter
prising and Popular Head.
MANAGER w. P. VAN WICKLE
The Big Establishment at I725 Penn
sylvania Avenue Continually
Growing.

The establishment OF the local branch
of this well-known piano manufacture
ing company is due almost entirely 10
the sterling ability and progressiveness
OF Mr. w p. Van Wickle. The Smith
Company's main offices are in Brooklyn.
y. Y, and the manufacturing plant is
in LeOminster. Mass. The Washington
house. however. is under an entirely
separate and distinct management and
is only connected with the other offices.
in that several OF the stockholders OF
the manufacturing company are officers
in the local firm.
The history OF the Smith Piano Com
pany is an interesting one, for it demon
strates that there is still appreciation
IN the business world for genuine merit
and enterprise.
IN 1873 the Smith people. who manu-
facture the Bradbury piano, opened a
modest store in Washington, and Mr.
". P. Van Wickle. then scarcely more
than youth. was sent down from New
York to take charge as manager. The
establishment OF this branch was Little
more than very risky enterprise, but
it was only a short time before Mr.. Van
Wickle demonstrated those qualities
which insure success in any line OF
work.
The business OF the Washington house
steadily increased until 4, sold annually
large share OF the outpu; OF the fac
tories in Brooklyn and Leominster.
This success had grown to such pro-
portions in 1893 that II was decided TO
form separate company for the Wash
tngton house. and as an evidence OF the
appreciation or the Smith people for his
loyal and interchangeable work Ia the in
terest OF his employers, Mr. Van Wickle
was not only made one of the incor-
poratOrs but also an officer OF the new
concern. The officers are f. @. Smith,
president; ". p. Van Wickle, vice presi-
dent and general manager; r. @. Smith
1T.. treasurer; Edwin h Stealey. assis-
tant treasurer A J. Powell, secretary
and Victor !. Becker, assistant secretary,
with J. J. Darlington as general coun-
sci The formation OF this company
has proven eminently satisfactory TO the
stockholders, and has been the source
of vastly increased business facilities.
Aside from the well-known Bradbury
piano the Smith Company has the Dis
trict agency for the famous Chickerfng
pianos. The Webster the Whittier. and
Berkeley instruments are also sold
through this house. and the requirement
OF the agency for the Apollo piano play
er has resulted in the ever-increastng
popularity OF that masterpiece OF
mechanism.
When the company first opened the
Washington house, in 1879 the location
was 110S Pennsylvania avenue, but these
quarters soon became entirely made
quate for the growing business. and the
handsome hye-story building at IL;
Pennsylvania avenue was erected for the
sole occupancy OF the firm. This new
home for the Smith Company is 200 feet
deep and runs through 10 L street. All
the shipping is done through this rear
entrance. the upper floors are used for
repair work and for the storage Of the
instruments not required on the main
floor. More than ~ pianos are carried
in stock at all times. The main moor Is
devoted entirely 10 the sales department
ana TOR display. Here me prospective
purchaser caln nnu some OF the nand-
CONTEST hlgH-cIass instruments eycI
Drought 10 aEnlngIOn.
me Offices OF the concern are also on
TINS moor, ana they ars ConVenlenuy ap-
pointed, Delng separated from the SAFES
department W BANK h&Sures OF oak anc
glass.
me number of pianos carried in stock
here IS not surprising when II Is learned
mat the local mouse Is the distributing
point OF the bradbury piano Tor the
entire SouIn, and TWO travelling sales
lnen are kept in the iieId by III. al
WlckIe-
Al tne same time that Mr.. Van WlclIle
was achieving success III me piano w0rH
lie was RISING 10 = position OF proml-
hence as z citizen OF " aShlngJ ton as
well. He has been closely idenuued with
all movements thai have been Tor the
betterment OF the city OF his adoption.
He - a member Of the Washington
Board OF Trade and Is on its board OF
directors. During November he was re-
elected TO the position OF treasurer OF
that body, an Office of much response
bility and one Wnicn betOkens no small
amount OF confidence ana honor. His
reelection TO this position was not a
surprise TO those who have followed his
excellent work during the past year.
Mr.. Van Wlckle is also a member OF
the National Geographic Society and
OF the Columbia Historical Society
Through his efforts and research many
points of interest in and around the Cap
ital City have been located and suitably
marked.
Upon tile occasion of this recent inaug
uTation OF President Roosevelt, and alsS
when the Grand Army encamDment Wa:
held here. he was chairman of a com
mittee which issued a booklet for th'
visitors as a guide. indicating ali the
points of interest in the city. This !:
one OF the most complete lists OF its KIND
ever published in Washington, and Mr.
Van WiclKle, az chairman of the commit
tee, has been very highly complimenteC
When the American Bankers Associa
ton met IN Washington this fall Mr.
Van Wickle was chairman of the com,
mittee which prepared a very helpful
program and guide to the city for thA
visiting fnanciers.
He is prominently connected with the
various branches of the Masonic order
being a member of Lafayette Lodge and
Mt Vernon Chapter, also OF Washing
ton CommanderY Of Knights Templar
II is not remarkable that a man whC
has achieved such prominence in civil,
life should have been so eminentiy sue
cessftil IN populariZing a piano that has
as many meritOrious features as tn,
Bradbury. II is as true I'm the piano
line as in most other avenues of trade
that nothing succeeds like success. anC
the hey-day OF the Smith Company.
prosperity I'm Washington IS just dawn
ing. and its popularity will continue {,
grow as long as the management of AT
fairs rests in the hands of its capabli
and progressive vice president.
The popularity of the Bradbury pian'
IS not confined TO Washington. Al
through the South this make is being in
stalled in many of the best homes. am
each instrument is an advertisement 70
Itself and for this city. Purchasers ar
aoa h l{AareI