1873...July 16th., Henderson N. White was born in Romeo Michigan, the son of George M. and Elizabeth White.
1885...At 12 years of age, Henderson learned instrument repair in Detroit Michigan, and worked with O.F.Berdan as a repairman and music engraver.
1889...At 16 years of age, Henderson moved to Cleveland, Ohio and repaired instruments for H. E. McMillans music store at 127 Superior St for 4 to 5 years.
1893...Henderson began publishing band and orchestra music, making instrument repairs, and music engraving at 13 1/2 Woodland avenue in the Carlton block.
1894...Partnership with Charles Berg (Bergstresser) publishing music. Sept. 20th. Henderson married Charles sister Elizabeth Bergstresser.
From this marriage Henderson's only biological child, Richard McIntyre White was born.
1898...At 25 years of age, Henderson manufactured his first King trombone and short model cornet. (Info source White Way News)
1901...Richard M. White born April 29, Cleveland, Ohio.
1903...Brother Hugh E. White became head of the credit department and vice president until 1940.
1906...Workshop relocated to 1870 E. 9th street, Cleveland, Ohio. Henderson imported instruments for sale and back engineered several imported models.
1909...April 1st., moved into newly constructed two story 50' x 125' factory at 5225 Superior avenue. Began large production of trombones, cornets,
Eb cornet, trumpets, valved trombones, euphoniums, baritones, Eb bass, and a monster double Eb bass, along with many other instruments.
1916...Began saxophone production. Austin Kramer obtains citizenship and becomes Head Engraver.
1917...Additional building erected to factory.
1918...Patent for quick change to A on master model trumpet. August 27, Master cornet, underslung model patented.
1920...Saxello manufactured. French horn introduced to production line. Edna Richert in marriage to Harvey Richert with daughters Grace, 7, and Ruth, 3 years old.
1922... Richard McIntyre White graduated from Case Institute of Technology, Cleveland, Ohio.
1923...Liberty trumpet introduced. The H. N. White co. manufactured the "Cleveland" trumpet for the Cleveland Musical Instrument co. to fill back orders.
CMI was founded in 1919 and only employed 15 workers.
1925...Henderson bought the Cleveland Musical Instrument company. CMI was known for their Gladiator and Cleveland line of instruments.
1926...Liberty trumpet available in three bore sizes, .438 (Model 1049), .448 (Model 1050), and .468 (Model 1051).
1927...First miniature Liberty trumpet made. Valve stroke shortened on trumpets and cornets to a drop of 17/32 of an inch. Model's 1049 and 1051 Liberty trumpets introduced.
1928...Pioneered the use of sterling silver on instrument bells. Commander model cornet introduced.
1929...Silvertone trumpets and cornets began production.
1931..Non-pressure mouthpieces introduced. (WWN # 3)
1932...March 17th., Henderson married Edna Richert. Henderson later adopts Edna's daughter Cathryn Colbert. Factory now has seven buildings with 64,000 square feet of floor space. All land
and buildings owned by Henderson N. White. 5225 - 5233 Superior Avenue.
1934...The H. N. White company pioneered group Life Insurance to the entire company staff. Direct Importing of Oboes, Bassoons, Alto & Bass Clarinets, English horns, Flutes, Piccolos, Violins,
Cellos and String Basses made by Moenning Brothers, Ernst Heinrich Roth and Koblert.
1935...The Commander model cornet no longer manufactured.
1936....Foster Reynolds resigns from the H. N. White company and starts manufacturing his own line of instruments.
1937...2B Liberty model trumpet introduced. (WWN # 15 pg. 6) Cleveland trumpet No.600B, Cleveland Toreador trumpet No.603T, Clevelander cornet No.601B, and Gladiator line manufactured,
starting with the Gladiator trombone. (WWN # 11 pg.1) Henderson's son Richard White opens the H. N. WHITE Company of Texas, 810 Hickory, Abilene, Texas, selling the complete line
of H. N. White King band instruments and repair..
1938...3B Liberty trumpet introduced in bore size .468.
1939...Richard White's H. N. WHITE Company of Texas location moved to 765 Hickory. Slide Cornet production suspended. No longer manufactured. September 2, World War II began. Germany
invaded Poland.
1940...March 26th., Henderson passed away of cardiac arrest while asleep at his home, 28600 Cresthaven Drive, Easlake, Ohio.. Henderson was 65 years old. Brother Hugh E. White becomes
president of the company. Gladiator line introduced. In November, the 2B Liberty trumpet now assigned Model No. 1051, that was previously assigned to the large bore Liberty and Silvertone
trumpets. The Cleveland Superior Bb/A trumpet introduced.
1941...Edna D. White becomes president of the company. Richard M. White Jr. born, Feb. 15. December 7, Japan attacked Pearl Harbor.
1942...May 30, Instrument production halted due to World War 2. The factory was retooled to manufacture radar equipment.
1944..Richard White's store renamed, the H. N. WHITE MUSIC Company, Abilene, Texas.
1945...Cathryn White-Ludwig becomes vice president, advertising director and editor of the White Way News catalog. With the death of Henderson, Edna and Cathryn became the
"Second women" in history to own and operate a musical instrument manufacturing company. In 1874 Madame Besson and her daughter Marthe took over ownership and the operation of Gustave
Auguste Besson's musical instrument manufacturing company after Gustave Besson died. After 1910, Mathilde Sabatier, Besson's granddaughter, became owner. August 6, Atomic bomb dropped
on Hiroshima. August 9, second Atomic bomb dropped on Nagasaki. August 14, Japan signed surrender on board the U.S.S. Missouri battleship in Tokyo bay ending World War II.
1947..Richard White renamed his store to the Richard M. White Music company, Abilene, Texas. Store specializing in selling Pianos, organs and radio phonographs, located at 357 Cypress.
1948...Gladiator instrument production suspended and never resumed.
1950...Silvertone line discontinued and Silversonic line began production.
1952...The H. N. WHITE Co., Cleveland, Ohio, produced radar parts for military during Korean war. Cathryn divorced Ludwig and changed her name back to Cathryn White. Richard White sold
his music store in Abilene, Texas to the Denham Music company, 357 Cypress. Richard managed the store for the new owners until the new staff could handle operations.
1954...Harry James endorses the new Symphony model trumpet in dual bore with sterling silver bell and leadpipe. White Way News catalog No. 18. Richard White moved his wife Elanore and son
Rchard M. White II to Carmel, California.
1955...Richard M. White passed away May, 7th. of cardiac arrest at his residence in Carmel , California.
1956 ...Hugh White passed away on June 26 on Catawba Island, Port Clinton, Ohio.
1962...Tempo brand replaces American Standard brand. First year lacquer applied to sterling bell instruments. Tempo trumpets, cornets, and trombones introduced.
1964...12.5 acres of land purchased in Eastlake, Ohio to build a new factory. Cathryn changed king logo to a new sleek design. Silver Flair trumpet introduced.
1965...New factory built at 33999 Curtis Ave., Eastlake, Ohio. Ednas health failing. Company sold to Nate Dolin of the Seeburg corporation and the companies name changed to King Musical
Instruments. Edna became a consultant to the King Musical Instrument company.
1969...Edna passed away July 23rd. Edna (300-12-3446) was born July 12, 1895 in Akron , Ohio. Edna was 74 years old. Edna died of stomach cancer.
1985....King purchased by Skane-Gripen, a Swedish company and United Musical Instruments was formed.
1990...Hugh White's two adult children, Robert E. White, and Virginia White-Reinke passed away .
2003....United Musical Instruments sold to Steinway Musical Instruments and combined with the Selmer company to form Conn-Selmer Inc.
2005...Cathryn Colbert - White Sylvester, born in Akron, Ohio, Nov. 16, 1920, passed away of natural causes on June 26 in Pataskala, Ohio. Cathryn was 84 years old.
2006... The Henderson White family is survived by Henderson's Grandsons (Richard's sons), ...Richard M. White Jr., Anthony White, and Philip White.
The H. N. WHITE Family does not Operate nor Maintain any H. N. WHITE COMPANY related internet website.
Anthony White
for Hugh White's Family
information.*
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
