Pipe Organ Database

For further information, see: A. B. Felgemaker Co. and Derrick, Felgemaker & Co.

From the OHS Database Builders Listing editor, October 3, 2016. -

Felgemaker was born 16 July, 1836 in Buffalo, New York; he was the brother of Julius Felgemaker. He married Julia Dickman of Buffalo, New York; he died 16 October 1905 in Erie, Pennsylvania.

Felgemaker began his career with a piano maker in Buffalo, New York; His first experience in organ building was with the Garret House firm of Buffalo, 1858, he later became a partner with House, 1864-1868. His next partnership was with Silas L. Derrick in Derrick, Felgemaker & Co. of Buffalo, New York, 1865; the firm relocated to Erie, Pennsylvania by 1872; the firm was reorganized as A. B. Felgemaker in 1875. Julius Felgemaker operated a pipe making shop which supplied the pipes for his brother's firm. The firm A.B. Felgemaker continued after Felgemaker's death until acquired by Tellers-Kent Organ Co. of Erie, Pennsylvania, 1918.

The Tellers firm had been started by three former employees of Felgemaker, Sommerhoff, Tellers, and Tellers. Sommerhoff left the firm, and the Tellers persuaded Kent to join them.

Sources:

1. <

From the OHS PC Database, derived from A Guide to North American Organbuilders by David H. Fox (Organ Historical Society, 1991). -

Born 16 July, 1836 in Buffalo, New York; brother of Julius Felgemaker; with piano maker in Buffalo, New York; with Garret House firm of Buffalo, New York, 1858, partner with House, 1864-1868; partner with Silas L. Derrick in Derrick & Felgemaker of Buffalo, New York, 1865; firm relocated to Erie, Pennsylvanina by 1872; firm reorganized as A. B. Felgemaker firm, 1875; died 16 October, 1905.

Patents held:

• Jointly with Silas L. Derrick: Patent #77,703; 5 May 1868; portable pipe organ
• Patent #172,307; 18 Jan. 1876; pipe
• Patent #626,414; 6 Jun. 1899; register stop
• Patent #626,415; 6 Jun. 1899; pipe

Sources:

1. Ochse, Orpha; The History of the Organ in the United States (Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1975), p.281.
2. Organ Handbook; published yearly by the Organ Historical Society of Richmond, Virginia, in connection with its annual convention, 1985:14.