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THE POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY. 



don, having accejited a position as superintendent of Collard & 

 Collard's. Mr. Cliickering entered into partnership with a Cap- 

 tain Mackay at this juncture, and the new firm rapidly rose to a 

 foremost pUice as makers of pianos, thanks to the inventive and 

 technical genius of Mr. Chickering. In 1841 Captain Mackay died, 

 when the whole business reverted to Chickering, 



Jonas Chickering was born in Ipswich, N, H., April 5, 1798. 

 He learned cabinet-making in his native town, and when a mere 

 youth turned his face toward Boston, to find an outlet for his 

 native abilities. On arriving in Boston he found his way into 

 Osborn's shop, leaving it subsequently to enter on a successful 

 career as a manufacturer and inventor. In 1840 he introduced 

 and patented his full solid-cast metal plate for squares, which he 

 carried into grands in 184'-i. The introduction of these plates 

 marks an era in the history of the American piano. 



Fig. 13— .Ionas Ciiickehing. 



Upon the death of Jonas Chickering, in 1853, the responsibili- 

 ties of the business devolved upon his three sons — Thomas E., 

 C. Frank, and George H. Chickering. The first two are dead, the 

 last is the present head of the firm of Chickering & Sons. C. 

 Frank Chickering, the author of the chief developments in the 

 Chickering piano since his father's death, has left behind him a 



