Free to experiment with instrument design and manufacturing on his own terms, Reynolds quickly moved to establish his company’s place in the industry with instruments “that were rapidly recognized for superior workmanship and accoustical properties.” The following February, just after his 52nd birthday, he founded the F.A. Band Instruments”.įoster Reynolds left H.N. Reynolds was one of the principal figures in the brass instrument manufacturing industry in the first half of the 1900s and one source referred to him as “Mr. White Co. and was instrumental in building that company into a leading brass manufacturer. In all, Foster Reynolds worked for over 30 years at H.N. Reynolds later became Vice President and General Manager of the company. White Co., advancing into the senior management ranks along with Henderson N.
White catalog source: By 1927, Foster Reynolds had become the Works Manager (plant manager) of H.N.
And his practical training is your assurance that faulty, slighting work can never come from the shops of The H.N. His mechanical knowledge has enabled him to build up the standard of efficiency in our shops until it is approached by that of no other manufacturer of musical instruments. His practical experience and his mechanical knowledge make him sound and thorough. For he is the ‘balance’ so vital to success. This company is particularly fortunate in having Mr. Reynolds surrounded himself with the most competent force of mechanical experts possible to obtain. White and he frequently consulted with physicists about improving the intonation and playing characteristics of brass instruments.į.A. Reynolds’ passion for instrument manufacturing innovation and quality was evident throughout his tenure at H.N. Reynolds’ name appears on a 1912 patent for the King Perfecto No.1 Cornet. Reynolds says the factory is in good shape now, and that we can promise the shipment of any King instrument within four days after receiving your order. In particular, he has advanced the art of valve making to greater perfection than ever before known. He has taken an interest in the business, and worked for it, making its success his own. Reynolds, shop superintendent, shares a great deal of credit for the growth of the factory and the many improvements in methods that have made the construction of King band instruments famous. White and quickly became a company man, working as superintendent on the factory floor: White Company to work on a valved brass line that would complement the outstanding King trombones that Henderson White was building with Thomas King of the Sousa band. Wright, William Graves, Henry Esbach and Louis Hartman, joined forces after the Civil War.įoster Reynolds evidently made a name for himself at York by building superior valved instruments and shortly thereafter he was approached by the H.N. Wright & Co., including renowned brassmen E.G. Boston Musical traces its roots back to 1869 when the staffs of Graves & Co. York, in 1882 following training in brass repair and manufacturing at the Boston Musical Instrument Manufactory. York and Sons (later York Band Instrument Co.) had been established by a former army musician, James W. York and Sons Company in Grand Rapids, Michigan. In 1903, at age 19, Reynolds began an apprenticeship with Pop Johnson at the J.W. Olds plant in Fullerton, California (details below) - he was 76 years old. Foster and Myrtle Reynolds had two daughters: Mary and Sandra.įoster Reynolds died on Jat the F.E. Reynolds evidently keeping possession of the family residence in Cleveland Heights.įoster Reynolds married Myrtle Rozelle, daughter of Fred and Mary Rozelle, on May 8, 1935.
1939).Īfter over 31 years of marriage, Foster and Frances Reynolds’ divorce was finalized in the spring of 1935, with Mrs. 28, 1903, and had three daughters, Florence Bernice (Reynolds) Hange (1904-87, married May 1927), Dorothy Dean (Reynolds) Rankin (1907-96, married Sep 1929) and Frances Viola (Reynolds) Mathewson (1915-2000, married Sep. Reynolds (dates unknown).įoster Reynolds was married twice. Lorena (Woods) Reynolds (1857-1939) of Lodi, Ohio. Foster Allen Reynolds was born on Decemto Mr.