Charles W. Kosegarten

President of the Grubb & Kosegarten Brothers Piano Action Manufacturing Company, and one of the three brothers who have always been closely associated in business and family life, Mr. Kosegarten is known as the manufacturer of a product that has a worldwide market and is used in many of the finest pianos made. He was born in Schodack Landing, New York, December 13, 1870, son of Frederick and Caroline (Solchom) Kosegarten, both of whom were representatives of German families who emigrated to the United States in 1869. Mr. Kosgarten’s father was a watchmaker and jeweler. Both of Mr. Kosegarten’s parents were extremely fond of flowers, which grew in great profusion around their house and in the gardens adjacent thereto. Mr. Kosegarten’s brothers are: Otto, who is secretary of the company, and Albrecht, who is vice-president and treasurer.

Charles W. Kosegarten and his brothers were educated in the public schools; and in l887, at the age of seventeen years, he began his business career by securing a position at the Frickingers’ Piano Factory. He found his work for this firm agreeable and has never had the slightest regret for his choice of a life work. He spent three years with Frickingers, and then, when the business was taken over by Gorgen and Grubb, accepted a position with them, spending three years more at the factory. Mr. Gorgen then withdrew from the business and started what is now the A.C. Cheney Piano Action Company, at Castleton, New York. Mr. Kosegarten found it to his advantage to go to St. Johnsville with Mr. Englehart, and spent six years there in his employment. By this time he acquired an expert and authoritative knowledge of the processes employed in the manufacture piano actions, and accordingly, he decided to establish himself in an independent business with his brothers, who had shared his career, and learned their work in the same places. He left Mr. Englehart, therefore, to their great regret, and in equal partnership with his brothers, Otto and Albrecht, purchased Mr. Gorgen’s interest in the factory on what was known as Bunker Hill. They took an active part in the management of this factory during the next five years, and seemed well along on the road to a broader success than the business had ever known, when on July 14, 1904, the factory was completely destroyed by fire. After this catastrophe the brothers acquired full control of the business and set to work to rebuild it, undaunted by the heavy losses incurred as a result of the fire. They erected a new plant at Nassau, New York, where they have ever since lived, and from the very beginning of their career here have been remarkably successful. Their factory is fully equipped with the best machinery for the manufacture of their products, and their force of one hundred and twenty-five workers is as loyal and devoted a corps of men as any employer could wish for. The Kosegarten piano actions have acquired an international reputation, and the yearly volume of sales is rapidly increasing. The success of the Kosegarten’s has been due to their thorough knowledge of the industry, and of the market for raw materials, such as the metal wires employed in their work; and to the high ideals of craftsmanship and skill which they have always maintained, no less than to the reputation for prompt and careful service which they have established. Recognized leaders of the business world of Rensselaer County, they occupy a position of influence in the community and take an active part in all movements for civic betterment and the increase of public prosperity.

In politics Mr. Kosegarten is a Republican. He has never sought public office, being content to support the policies of his party by his vote and by his personal influence in matters of policy, in which his advice is frequently sought. His brother, Albrecht, however, has served for the long period of twelve years as president of the village of Nassau, and takes an active interest in local political affairs. Mr. Kosegarten is a member of St. Johnsonville Lodge, Knights of Pythias. In religious faith he and his brothers, as well as their families, are all members of the Reformed Church, and take an active part in the work of the congregation of that faith at Nassau.

Mr. Kosegarten married on March 30, 1894, at St. Johnsville, New York, Isabella Kellar, daughter of Frederick and Isabella Kellar. Mr. And Mrs. Kosegarten has one son, Frederick, who was born at St. Johnsonville and who is named for his grandfathers. Mr. Kosegarten’s brother, Otto, married Augusta Halstead, and has two children: Caroline and Catherine. Albrecht Kosegarten, the oldest of the brothers married Ada Bedell, and has two children: Herman and Mary.

REVISED: JUNE 30, 1999

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