2004-10-30/2020-04-09 - From the OHS PC Database, derived from A Guide to North America Organ Builders by David H. Fox (Organ Historical Society, 1991). Updated Feb 11, 2016 by the builders listing editor. -- The third generation Pilcher named Henry, and the first American-born builder by that name was born 24 April 1855 in St. Louis, MO; Henry [III] was the son of Henry Pilcher [II], and grandson of the first Henry Pilcher. His brothers were John V., Paul B., Robert E., and William E. Pilcher; the last would be his partner in Henry Pilcher's Sons. Henry III was born while the family was in St. Louis, MO. In 1863, his father (Henry II) and uncle William moved the firm to Chicago to escape the dangers of a border state during the Civil War, operating there as Pilcher and Chant, then as Pilcher Brothers. Barely a decade later, the Great Chicago Fire brought disaster to the firm as their factory was destroyed, but the brothers persevered, each opened his own business but in different cities. Henry II relocated to Louisville, KY, and opened Henry Pilcher & Sons. After Henry II's death, the firm became Henry Pilcher's Sons, and remained in business until 1944 when it was purchased by the M.P. Moller firm of Hagerstown, MD. Henry III retired and moved to Florida in the 1920s, he died 6 February, 1930 in St. Petersburg, FL. NOTE: The suffixes Jr, II and III were not in common use in America in the 1800s, and the Pilcher family did not use them. They have been added here in brackets simply as an editorial means of distinguishing between the three men. In other documents, both Henry [II] and Henry [III] have been referred to as Jr. , while Henry [I] and Henry [II] are sometimes referred to as Sr. There are also four different Williams in the family tree, but they are not direct lines. See the Family Tree in the entry Pilcher Family to help in distinguishing the person you are seeking.
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