History of Detroit, a chronicle of its progress, its industries, its institutions, and the people of the fair City of the straits, / by Paul Leake ... [Vol. 3]

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HISTORY OF DETROIT

ing during the major portion of his active career and died in New York
in 1865, his wife having passed away in the same year, only a month
later. Of the children born to Mr. and Mrs. Ira Grinnell two sons and
two daughters are living at the present time.
Ira L. Grinnell received his educational training in the public
schools and the Albion Academy, at Albion, New York. He came to
Michigan in the year 1866, locating at Manchester. In 1867 he engaged
in the sewing machine business at Ann Arbor and he continued to be
identified with that line of enterprise until 1880. He entered into a
partnership with his brother Clayton A., in the fall of 1882, engaging
in the music business in Detroit. In 1901 a venture was made along
the line of manufacturing pianos, and during recent years such success
has been achieved in that connection that now, in 1911, two factories,
one at Detroit and one at Windsor, Ontario, are in constant operation.
Twenty-two branch stores are maintained in Michigan and Canada,
in addition to the splendid headquarters of the concern at Detroit, the
latter being located at 243-7 Woodward avenue, with a large branch
store on Monroe avenue. To quote from the piano catalogue of the
Grinnell Brothers the following good points are brought out in connection with the instrument manufactured.
"The Grinnell Brothers Piano is the product of our large factories
in Detroit, Michigan, and Windsor, Ontario. These manufacturing
plants are second to none in equipment and class of workmen employed.
Every facility and mechanical appliance that would tend to promote
further excellence in the production of this piano is provided. Our
workmen are experts, each skilled in the highest degree in the work
receiving his attention. A rigid inspection is maintained at all stages
of construction, and the thorough test to which each piano is subjected
before it is permitted to leave the factory, makes certain that the high
standard of quality adopted shall be fully maintained in every instrument we produce. Thoroughness is the predominating feature-no
part is too minute, no detail too insignificant to be considered good
enough until it cannot be further improved.
"This instrument represents the concentrated experience of more
than thirty years in the handling and manufacture of high grade
musical instruments. Correct application of the knowledge thus acquired, combined with the natural creative ability of the men at the
head of this manufacturing establishment, could not result in other
than a magnificent production. The Grinnell Brothers Piano is a perfect instrument in all that the term implies; embodying all that is artistic in tone and design and representing the extreme of value in durability."
The following is a testimonial from the great prima donna, Lillian
Nordica, in regard to the excellent qualities of the Grinnell Brothers
Piano. The same is here incorporated verbatim.
" Gentlemen:-It gives me great pleasure to acknowledge your
courtesy in sending me such a nice instrument (the Grinnell Brothers)
to the hotel for my private use. For nice singing quality of tone and
smoothness of action it certainly ranks among the best uprights I have
ever used. Very truly yours,
LILLIAN NORDICA."
Mr. Grinnell is a member of the Detroit Board of Commerce, is connected with the Municipal, League and in politics is a member of the
Republican party. In a social way he and his wife are affiliated with
Wayne Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star.
Mr. Grinnell was married in 1871 to Ellen Park, of Ann Arbor, Michigan, who died in 1884, leaving two sons: E. W., who is now manager