Where History Comes Home
Music has always been important to the people of Catawba County
Music has always been important to the people of Catawba County, whether at concerts, church gatherings, or just walking down the street whistling a tune. Many families in the late 1800s and early 1900s either had, or had access to, a parlor organ or an upright piano.
The Weaver Organ Company in York, PA, produced hundreds of thousands of organs and pianos in its 89 years of business. It is one of the few American companies to survive both the Great Depression and World War II without being consolidated with a larger company. The company even published their own newspaper, the Weaver Piano News, “For benefit of Weaver Piano Owners, Dealers and Salesmen”. Pianos were shipped as far away as China. More than a few instruments came to Catawba County, and a pump organ recently made its way into the Historical Association’s collection. Thanks to the grandmother of the donor, we know the organ’s history.
According to the serial number, #3882, and manufacture’s address, 304 W.
Market St., this organ is one of the early ones made by the company before they built their main factory in 1882. It belonged to Captain Peter Franklin Smith, a Civil War veteran who became the first mayor of Conover. When he died, he left the organ to his daughter Claudia Smith Simmons. Ruby Mortiz, the donor’s grandmother, bought the organ from the Simmons family.
One of the selling points of these organs was that they were light enough to be carried outside for picnics, parties, and church revivals. That’s why they were made with handles on the sides. It is unknown whether this particular organ spent much time outdoors, but the original decals are in remarkably good condition and the bottom edges do not show much wear and tear. It is obvious from the excellent state of this 150+ year old instrument that it has been a much-loved and cared for piece by all the families who have owned it.
Another Weaver organ in the Historical Association’s collection belonged to Bessie Murray Dellinger of the Murray’s Mill family. Bessie’s organ was made around 1903 and most likely belonged to her mother Harriet Murray. It is unknown whether Bessie ever played the organ, but according to the family her husband Garvey loved to sing. Loudly.
Music still brings Catawbans together, though folks rarely gather around an organ outside of church. Even so, organ music connects us together through the ages, showing that Catawba County is a place Where History Comes Home.