Edward F. Droop

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Edward Frederick Droop (b. January 4, 1837 in Osnabrück, Germany; d. February 28, 1908 in Washington, D.C.) was a prominent businessman in Washington, D.C. who for many years was the agent there for Steinway & Sons. William occasionally visited him in Washington, and he occasionally came to New York and saw William. By the time of his death, Droop had entered into several business activities in addition to his music business and was active in the arts culture of Washington, D.C.

Edward F. Droop spent his early years in Germany where he received a musical education. He emigrated to the U. S. in June of 1857, working briefly in various positions before joining the Washington, D.C. music store W. G. Metzerott as a clerk, on November 17, 1857.(6) At that time, the Metzerott store was located at the corner of 11th Street and Pennsylvania Ave., now the site of the Old Post Office Building. Subsequently, W. G. Metzerott moved to 925 Pennsylvania Ave NW (now site of FBI Headquarters).(10)

Droop became a partner in W. G. Metzerott in 1860 (6), the same year that the firm became a Steinway dealer.(13) Following the death of Metzerott in 1884, Droop sold stock and other firm assets to Metzerott's wife, who planned to open her own business, but, with her agreement, reserved the right to continue business at the old location. Metzerott's wife subsequently sued Droop, saying that he did not have the right to the firm's name or "good will." The judge ruled against her, saying that the right to carry on business at the old location carried with it the right to the name and "good will."(1) (3)

Droop and his wife, Anna, had three daughters and two sons, Edward H. Droop and Carl A. Droop, who both entered the business with him. Carl apprenticed for five years with Steinway & Sons to learn the piano manufacturing business. (5) In January, 1894, Droop took them both on as partners.(4) In November 1895, they moved the business to 13th and G Streets in Washington. Droop retired from active business in 1898, though he retained his association with the firm. In 1904 the business was incorporated as Edward F. Droop and Sons.(10)

Droop held a celebration every year on November 17, to recognize the anniversary of his entering the music trade. He was well known in Washington, and these celebrations became newsworthy, occasioning a recap in the Washington Post of his life and rise in the business. On the 50th anniversary (November 17, 1907), he received congratulations from hundreds of persons, including Thomas Edison, Krakauer Brothers piano manufacturers, Steinway and Sons, and Henry McFarland, President of the Washington, DC, Board of Commissioners. The poet John Joyce wrote a poem to commemorate the event.(9)

As a prominent businessman in Washington, Droop served as a director of several insurance companies and banks. He was also involved in the steamship business, serving as General Agent for many foreign companies.(6) He was a member of the National Association of Piano Dealers and Manufacturers.(11) He was heavily involved in civic matters in Washington. (10) He befriended many musical artists, and allowed his business to serve as headquarters for leading opera companies and visiting artists. He also hosted Presidents at his business. Mrs. Cleveland was a regular customer, as were members of foreign legations and other prominent people in Washington. In his early days, Droop was a member of the Arion Quartette Club, the Sängerbund and the Choral Society.(6) He was a Mason, and a member of the Concordia German Lutheran Church.(8)

William Steinway mentioned Droop multiple times in the diary. He visited him on occasion in Washington, at least once with his wife, and Droop in turn visited him in New York.(Diary, 1884-08-10, 1887-06-14) William kept Droop on as a Steinway dealer after Metzerott's death (Diary, 1884-10-15), so he clearly had confidence in him.

In 1877, Droop played a role in William's quest to prove that Steinway and Sons had won the highest number of points for piano manufacturers in the 1876 Centennial Exhibition in Philadelphia. Apparently, after the exhibition was over, other manufacturers claimed that they had won the most points. As a consequence William undertook to obtain a certificate signed by all of the jurors that stated that Steinway had won the "Highest degree of excellence in all their styles." (12) One of these was Professor Julius Erasmus Hilgard of Washington DC, who originally refused to sign the certificate (Diary 1877-08-01) and subsequently changed his stance. (Diary 1877-08-24) Droop kept in touch with Hilgard and provided William with information on the status of his signature.

Droop died on February 28, 1908, somewhat unexpectedly, at the family home at 1455 Harvard St.(8) He had been ill, with rheumatism and heart ailments, but these were not seen as serious. He was lauded in The Washington Post for his business and charitable activities.(8) The National Metropolitan Fire Insurance Company, of which Droop was a director, put out a resolution that said, in part, "To all connected with the company he was a kind and faithful friend. The directors valued him for his wisdom in council and for his many lovable traits of character. They especially esteemed him for his force of character, his business acumen, his great integrity, his domestic virtues, his unostentatious charity, his interest in his home city, and his devoted loyalty to his adopted country." (7)
At his funeral, William Steinway (son of the diary's author) was an honorary pallbearer.(2)

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Sources:

1. "A Decision in Mr. Droop's Favor," The Washington Post, March 28, 1887, p. 4.
2. "Droop Funeral Tomorrow," The Washington Post, March 1, 1908, p. 2.
3. "Droop Wins," Musical Courier, March 16, 1887, p. 182.
4. "E. F. Droop's Announcement," The Washington Post, December 27, 1893, p. 4.
5. "E.F. Droop and Sons Co. Celebrate 55th Anniversary," The Washington Post, November 17, 1912, p. DS1.
6. "Edward F. Droop," Supplement to Freund's Music and Drama, November 8, 1890, p. 12.
7. "Edward F. Droop Buried," The Washington Post, March 3, 1908, p. 7.
8. "Edward F. Droop Dead," The Washington Post, February 29, 1908, p. 11.
9. "Fifty Years in Trade," The Washington Post, November 17, 1907. P. 7.
10. "Identified with Capital's Growth," The Washington Post, March 29, 1905 p. 4.
11. "Piano Men to Meet Here," The Washington Post, May 3, 1906, p. 11.
12. "Steinway & Sons," Steiger's Educational Directory for 1878, p. 249.
13. Steinway Inventory Books, January 2, 1861.