Charles Chauncey Mellor. 



493 



He began to study music, at first apparently with little profit to 

 himself, but afterwards he became more and more interested, and 

 the great talent which he possessed became evident. In 1849, he 

 was sent to Mr. Travelli's Academy in Sewickley. Mr. Travelli, 

 who is still remembered by many of the older men of Pittsburgh, 

 was a singularly successful teacher, and his school enjoyed a well- 

 deserved reputation at that time. He remained here for about two 

 years, and during all of his later life was wont to refer in terms of 

 affection to the faithful care and kindness of the principal of 

 the Sewickley Academy. 



In 1852 he began seriously to study the piano under Professor 

 Henry Rohbach, who undoubtedly was the ablest teacher of music 

 then living in Pittsburgh, and in a few years acquired skill in the use 

 of the instrument. He continued to pursue his studies in other 

 branches under different private instructors, who at that time main- 

 tained schools in Pittsburgh, and also to assist his father in his 

 store, which had come to be the principal depot of musical instru- 

 ments in the city, and in which there continued to be kept a large 

 supply of books and stationery. In the books, to which he thus 

 had access, he found friends, and developed a taste for reading 

 which remained with him through all after life. He occasionally 

 accompanied his father on his visits to Philadelphia, New York, 

 and Boston, and on these occasions was thrown into the company 

 of manufacturers and dealers in musical instruments, and what de- 

 lighted him most, into the society of distinguished musicians, from 

 association with whom he derived inspiration. His skill as a 

 musical performer became known, and he was occasionally called 

 upon to play in public at concerts. 



In 1854 Mr. Jardine came to Pittsburgh in order to erect a new 

 organ in Tririty Church. Young Mellor, though but eighteen 

 years of age, was engaged by Mr. Jardine as one of his assistants to 

 take down the old organ and to erect the new one. His father was 

 especially anxious that he should undertake this work, believing 

 that it would be to his advantage to gain an intimate knowledge of 

 the construction of the instrument. Subsequently this knowledge 

 was turned to useful account, and Mr. Mellor directed the erection 

 of a number of organs in other churches in later years. He came 

 to be recognized as an authority and his advice as to the planning 



