Carl Barckhoff and the Barckhoff Church Organ Company
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Volume 39, Number 4, 1995 Founded in 1956 CARL BARCKHOFF AND THE BARCKHOFF CHURCH ORGAN COMPANY Carl Barckhoff - about 1880 by Vernon Brown Reprinted from The Tracker, 22:4 (Summer, 1978) Carl Barckhoff, one of the foremost Midwest late 19th 1880, "the church filled with a fashionable and cultured and early 20th century organ builders, was born in audience," 2 Carl himself played. Cora Hawley, the Wiedenbruck, Westphalia, Germany, in 1849. His father, daughter of an influencial man in Salem, was the soprano organ builder Felix Barckhoff, brought the family to the soloist, and this marked the beginning of a romance United States in 1865, and in that same year the first between Barckhoff and Miss Hawley. Barckhoff organ was built in this country. The firm In 1881 Carl married Miss Hawley, and in 1882, having established at 1240 Hope Street, Philadelphia, was for a time obtained financial backing locally, he relocated the during the 1870's known as Felix Barckhoff & Sons, the sons Barckhoff Church Organ Company in Salem. The new being Carl and Lorenz. factory at 31 Vine Street "had an organ hall 35 feet high, Felix Barckhoff died in 1878, 1 and at about this same time which made it possible to construct the largest organs built Carl relocated the firm in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, at that time. According to records, most of the men in an area which is today North Side Pittsburgh. An organ employed by Mr. Barckhoff had learned their trade in for the Presbyterian Church of Salem, Ohio was built in this Germany. ·The company had 'an enduring reputation plant, and at the dedication of this organ on September 23, throughout the country for the beauty and perfection of its instruments.' "3 The Barckhoffs took an active part in the musical life of Salem. The Salem Republican on April 27, 1882 reported the first regular meeting of the Salem Choral Union "at Barckhoff's Organ Hall, where a fine pipe organ has been set up. The voices were tested, and classified by the director, and regular musical drill commenced. Prof. Barckhoff's experience as a musical director both in this country and in Europe,4 have given him a high standard of excellence, and the Choral Union should be congratulated on securing his services." In 1883 the Choral Union presented Haydn's Creation; the program lists "Musical Director PROF. CARL BARCKHOFF" and "Mrs. Cora Barckhoff" heads the list of sopranos. In spite of periodic financial crises, the business grew. The 1889 Salem City Directory lists the Barckhoff Church Organ Company as having fifty-four employees in seventeen classifications: carpenter, wood worker, cabinet maker, works, pipe maker, pipe decorator, painter, tuner, voicer, continued, page 7 1. As nearly as can be determined. Felix is last listed with a home address in Philadelphia city directories in 1676, and Pittsburgh city directories list "Barckhoff, Elizabeth, widow of Felix" beginning with the 1676-79directory. 2. The Salem News, June 5, 1956. Source of quotation unidentified. The 1880 Barckhoff in the Presbyterian Church, Salem, Ohio 3. The Salem News, June 5, 1956. Source of quotation unidentified. Removed in 1937 4. Carl was 16 years old when he came to the United States. OHS American Organ Archives at Talbott Library, Westminster Choir College, Princeton, New Jersey Members may join any number of chapters. 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