The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1913-09-27
STARR FACTORIES
WERE ON n. EIGHTH
George Trayser Founded the
Concern With James
Starr i'm 1872.

George L. Trayser, who with Mr..
James Starr organized the Starr Pi-
ano company here in 1872, was an
Alsatian by birth, having served his
apprenticeship in the piano factories
OF Germany before coming to this
country. His knowledge of the pi-
ano industry was thorough as indi-
Gated by the many successful instru-
ments which he was later able to
manufacture.
The first pianos made by this firm
were made in the building now occu-
pied by the Mccarthy Grocery COM
pany on the corner of North Eighth
and Elm streets, although the faclli-
ties here soon proved inadequate and
the plant was moved to the site OF
the present factories. The growth,
while not rapid for the first several
years, was steady, and under the man
agement of Benjamin Starr, who later
became the active head of the insti-
tuition, it gradually assumed a position
of national importance.
Affect Reorganization.
In 1893 a half interest in the or
ganiZation was purchased by Henry
Gennett and John Lumsden, who re-
organized the company, extending the
sales affilia tons. Mr.. Lumsden was
elected president; Henry Gennett,
vice president; and Mr. Starr, secre-
tary and treasurer, and general man
ager of the manufacturing end. I'm
der Mr. Starr, Harry Gennett, now
vice president of the company, was
apprenticed, and through him the
ideals and efforts of Mr.. Starr were
carried on to the present day. At the
death of Mr.. Lumsden in 1897, Henry
Gennett was elected president; Harry
Gennett, vice president; Mr.. Starr
continuing as secretary and treasur-
er. Later at the death of Mr.. Starr in
1904, the officers were again changed,
the present staff being Henry Gennett,
president Harry Gennett, vice presi'
dent; Fred Gennett, secretary; and
Clarence Gennett, treasurer.
This organization is one of the larg-
est in the country devoted exclusively
to the manufacture of high grade pi
amos and player pianos, and has been
developed from a small factory with
an output of half dozen pianos year
ly to one of the largest in the country
whose annual shipments will aver
age fifteen thousand.
Every device contributing to the
economical manufacture of pianos and
player pianos has been installed and
throughout, the factory is model OF
scientific efficiency. Salesrooms are
operated in practically all the large
cities OF the United States and from
them are conducted agencies in every
section
Foreign Shipments Good.
The foreign shipments from this
company are rapidly becoming very
extended and as rapidly as the manu-
featuring conditions will permit these
goods are being exploited in the for.
eign fields. South American ship
ments have always been a big factor
in the affairs of this firm for the dura
bility Of construction has made them
particularly valuable in the hot and
moist countries.
This Is one of the firms which has
been foremost in placing Richmond OF
the commercial map of the country
There are more than eight hundred
men on the weekly Starr pay roll in
Richmond alone, while in the sales or
ganization there are almost as many
more. The factory has not CLOSED
operation nor have there been labor
troubles in the history of the organi
cation. The working men of this fac
tory are the leading members of the
church and social life of the city, anC
have been instrumental in developing
Richmond into one of the foremos
cities of the Central West.