Otto’s Column

LOCAL HISTORY

The Henry Clay Walnut Tree and Schiller Piano

Editor’s note: Otto Dick, Oregon has researched the people, places and events important in the Oregon area’s history for the Ogle County Historical Society. The following is one of a series of the articles he has written.

BY OTTO DICK

Come in and see the rarest Grand Piano in the world.

That was headline from a brochure published by the Schiller Piano Company of Oregon, Illinois. What follows is more information from the brochure.

“Don’t miss this wonderful opportunity. It costs nothing to look at this exquisite Schiller Grand manufactured by the Schiller Piano Company. It is veneered with the lovely, roll-figured veneer from the only log ever purchased from the Henry Clay estate. Step in and see this extraordinary grand piano now.

“Henry Clay, the great American statesman who said, ‘I would rather be right than be president’, was born on April, 1777 in Hanover County, Virginia. He rose from that humble place as a mill boy, (political opponents in later years dubbed him, The Mill Boy of the Slashes)” to a seat among the mightiest political figures in the history of the United States.

“He often said that the only place of quiet and peace was his home at his beautiful Kentucky estate. That estate has now become a national shrine. For a c e n t u r y h i s K e n t u c ky e s t a t e remained practically intact.

“Valued at, $15,000,000 among its assets was a group of the finest and oldest walnut tree in the world. Up until this year, nobody had ever been able to purchase any of these trees. A short time ago, to make room for a new home which was to be constructed on adjacent property recently purchased from the Clay estate one of these wonderful old walnut trees, which had stood like a rock against the elements for centuries, had to be removed.”

“This tree was bought by the lumber house of McClain and Foster of Rockford, Illinois and the log was purchased from them by the Schiller Piano Company of Oregon, Illinois, the greatest manufacturers in America of fine grand pianos.

“ T h e S c h i l l e r P i a n o C o m p a ny veneered a limited number of the grand pianos with the exquisite , roll figured, century old walnut stripped from this rare log off the Henry Clay Estate. One of the few grands on the face of the earth veneered with this walnut is inside, awaiting your inspection.

“Come in and see it now, try it, listen to it. There is no other piano in e x i s t e n c e l i k e t h i s e x t r a o r d i na r y Schiller. You owe it to yourself to inspect it, you owe it to your children to let them inspect it if only for its historical value. Whether you have a piano or haven’t, don ‘t miss this opportunity for a life-time to see and hear the most beautifully toned grand piano ever made, veneered with the liveliest walnut ever seen, taken from a centuries-old tree which once graced the Henry Clay estate in Kentucky.”

“Henry Clay born (1777-1852) was an American attorney and statesman who represented Kentucky in both the U.S. Senate and House of Representat i v e s . H e w a s t h e s e v e n t h H o u s e Speaker as well as the ninth Secretary of State. He helped found the National Republican Party and the Whig Party.”

Adams, Clay and Webster streets are located in South Oregon. Now when I drive on Clay Street I remember the connection between the Henry Clay Walnut Tree and the Oregon Schiller Piano Company.

Images provided by Otto Dick ABOVE: Henry Clay n 1832 AT RIGHT: This is an advertisement in an old newspaper.

• PORCHFEST 2021

Continued from page 8

“Crowd favorites from past years along with a few new musicians didn’t miss a beat as everyone enjoyed the day. Food was great too with a shout o u t t o H a z e l s C a f é , B e r r y V i e w Orchard, Jen’s Artisan Bread, Nelson Family Farms and Let Freedom Ring, f o r h e l p i n g k e e p p e o p l e f e d a n d refreshed.”

Encore PorchFest Mt. Morris is scheduled the 2nd Saturday in June each year, which is June 11 in 2022.

Visit EncoreMtMorris.com for additional information and to learn more about Encore! Mt. Morris. Also on Facebook as Encore Mt Morris.

WATCH FOR MUMS

COMING IN SEPTEMBER.

We still have beautiful vegetables and flowers available. First Come, First Serve.

Saturday, June 19 will be our last day for the season.

We We want to thankwant to thank everevery customery customer for making itfor making it a g a greatreat season. season.

28102810 W. W. IL IL Route 64, OregonRoute 64, Oregon 920-229-9787 920-229-9787 SM-ST1893609