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

Established by William T. Quilty, August [P.] Prante*, Arthur Sperbeck and Arthur H. Tod in Louisville, Kentucky, 1924; relocated to Terre Haute, Indiana, 1928; in receivership, 1930; firm last listed 1930.

Sources:

• The Diapason, July 1924, 16.


• The Diapason, August 1928, 6.


• The Diapason, February 1930, 2.


• David L. Junchen, Encyclopedia of the American Theatre Organ, vol. 1 (Pasadena: Showcase Publications, 1985), 284.


• Piano and Organ Purchaser-s Guide, Purchaser-s Guide to the Music Industries, (New York: Music Trades).


• Michael D. Friesen, "The Prante Organbuilding Family", The Tracker, 37:2 (Richmond, Va.: Organ Historical Society, 1993), 16.

*August P(eter) Pratt was the son of August F. Pratt, grandson of Joseph Charles Pratt. For further information on Pratt family, see:

Joseph C. Pratt

From Organ Database Builders editor Stephen Hall, October 6, 2019. —

Michael Friesen's article in the The Tracker gives a far more complete picture of this short-lived firm. The pertinent portions are quoted in full:

   
In 1923 August [Jr.] entered into a partnership with Arthur H.
Tod as "Prante & Tod," organbuilders. Tod did not previously appear
in Louisville directories, so his background is as yet unknown. It
appears that neither Nicholas nor Anthony had anything to do with
August's ventures. The Prante & Tod partnership was listed through
the 1924 edition.
   
In 1924, August set out with Tod and Arthur Sperbeck to form
a new company, the Louisville Pipe Organ Company, Inc. at 2421
Lexington Road, which first appeared as such in the 1925 directory.
Tod was President, Sperbeck was Vice-President, and Prante was
Secretary-Treasurer. In 1928 the firm was induced to move to Terre
Haute, Indiana, although it maintained a Louisville directory listing.
At that point Prante severed his affiliation. He became an
independent "organ tuner and repairer," an occupation listed for
him through the 1942 edition. He was shown without an occupation
thereafter, and about 1948 moved to Dallas, Texas, where he died
ten years later.
   
Sperbeck had come to Louisville in 1924 with William T. Quilty
from Rock Island, Illinois, where they were both Bennett Organ
Company employees. Although it is not known for certain, Tod was
probably also a Bennett man. Sperbeck and Quilty had been not
only shop workers but also installers, responsible for erecting
various organs in the region. They believed that Louisville could use
another organ firm, especially with the rapid rise of silent movies,
since many theatres felt the need to have small organs for accompanimental purposes and the demand was high. This was the primary objective for starting the Louisville Pipe Organ Company.
   
Quilty, born May 27, 1883, in Moline, Illinois, was 41 when he
arrived in Louisville on November 4, 1924. Although it is stated that
he was one of the original incorporators of the Louisville Pipe Organ
Company, he did not appear in Louisville directories until 1926,
where he was listed as just an employee of the firm (no specific job
title was given). In the 1928 directory he was shown as a Vice-President, with Tod remaining as President and Sperbeck becoming
Secretary. Then in the 1929 and 1930 editions, Quilty was shown
as both President of the concern and as an independent organbuilder.
The venture built about 40 organs, but it folded in 1930,
possibly a victim of the Depression, a location too far from good
markets, inadequate capital, poor management, the advent of
"talking" motion pictures, or a combination of these factors.

Source:

• Michael D. Friesen, "The Prante Organbuilding Family", The Tracker, 37:2 (Richmond, Va.: Organ Historical Society, 1993), 16.