Conn's remarkable success as a leader in the Elkhart business community did not go unnoticed by the town's 6,939 citizens. In 1880, at the age of 36, Gerard was elected the city's first Democratic mayor. He resigned during his second two-year term, however, to attend to the rebuilding of his factory (valued at $50,000), which was completely destroyed by fire on January 29, 1883--his 39th birthday. During the year preceding the fire, Conn seriously considered moving his horn factory to Tiffin, Ohio, but was enticed both by popular demand, as well as an interest-free, cash loan of $10,000, to remain and expand his Elkhart facility. Thus, the city retained both the factory, which produced no less than ten percent of all the goods manufactured in town, as well the ninety citizens employed there.
The firm grew rapidly in the next few years, as demand for Conn's new Wonder line of instruments increased. The popularity of Conn's products was in large part due to endorsements by many well-known performers and conductors, such as Hi Henry, Jules Levy, Alessandro Liberati, Frederick Innes, and Patrick Gilmore. By the late 1880s, the company boasted that it employed 300 laborers (many brought to Elkhart from France and England) and that its factory was "the largest of its kind in the world."
Some of the famous artists of the late 19th century who endorsed Conn's musical instruments. From the Postcard Collection of Margaret Downie Banks. © 1997-2009 by Margaret Downie Banks.
Go to Table of Contents
Go to Next Page