2004-10-30/2019-11-19 - From the OHS PC Database, derived from A Guide to North American Organbuilders by David H. Fox (Organ Historical Society, 1991). — Succeeded J. W. Steere & Son of Springfield, Massachusetts ; name adopted, c. 1919; firm acquired by Ernest M. Skinner, 1921. Staff: See J. W. Steere & Son listing. Source: Organ Handbook 1985, (Richmond, Va.: Organ Historical Society, 1985), 23.
2015-11-30/2019-11-19 - From the OHS Database Builders editor Stephen Hall, June 8, 2016. — In 1867 two former employees of the Johnson company opened their own firm in Westfield, Massachusetts. John W. Steer had built at least one organ under his own name before he was joined by George W. Turner. The firm suffered severe losses from both fires and flood, and by 1877 was in severe financial difficulties. The factory was moved to Springfield in 1879. Steer began spelling his name Steere around 1890. Turner left the firm in 1891, and the name was changed from Steere & Turner to J.W. Steere & Sons, then J.W. Steere & Son in 1894. It was also later known as J.W. Steere & Son Organ Company (1901-1919), and then The Steere Organ Co. 1919-1920. In 1920 the factory burned, the following year E.M. Skinner acquired the business and consolidated it with his own. Source: Orpha Ochse. The History of the Organ in the United States (Indiana University Press, 1975), 240-241.
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