Jacob Gross
Encyclopedia
Jacob Gross was born in Württemberg
, Germany. Considered an expert piano maker of the old school, he learned his trade in Stuttgart and afterward worked in some of the leading factories of Germany, Switzerland, Spain and Paris. Coming to America in 1848, he familiarized himself with the methods prevailing here, working in Troy, New York then going to Baltimore. He had worked for Charles Stieff in the Steiff Piano Factory from 1856, and on Christmas Day, 1860 he had married Catharina Christiana Stieff (1833–1906), daughter of Charles Maximilian Stieff, owner. His joining the Stieff family business was an excellent combination, the professional musician and businessman, Stieff, supported by the artistic piano maker and factory expert, Gross. The founder of the firm having passed to the unknown beyond, the business was carried on most successfully by his sons, Charles and Frederick P. Stieff, the technical management of the factories being in the hands of Charles J. Gross, who was educated by his father, Jacob Gross.
Württemberg
Württemberg , formerly known as Wirtemberg or Wurtemberg, is an area and a former state in southwestern Germany, including parts of the regions Swabia and Franconia....
, Germany. Considered an expert piano maker of the old school, he learned his trade in Stuttgart and afterward worked in some of the leading factories of Germany, Switzerland, Spain and Paris. Coming to America in 1848, he familiarized himself with the methods prevailing here, working in Troy, New York then going to Baltimore. He had worked for Charles Stieff in the Steiff Piano Factory from 1856, and on Christmas Day, 1860 he had married Catharina Christiana Stieff (1833–1906), daughter of Charles Maximilian Stieff, owner. His joining the Stieff family business was an excellent combination, the professional musician and businessman, Stieff, supported by the artistic piano maker and factory expert, Gross. The founder of the firm having passed to the unknown beyond, the business was carried on most successfully by his sons, Charles and Frederick P. Stieff, the technical management of the factories being in the hands of Charles J. Gross, who was educated by his father, Jacob Gross.