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Henry John Distin (1819-1903) influence on the history of brass instruments is considerable. He lived in London, New York and Philadelphia, and Williamsport, PA. He was a performer, a manufacturer, and a consultant. He was a slide trumpet player, and keyed bugle soloist.

The Following timeline has conflicting information, but serves as a general indicator of Distins activities:

1833, The family, headed by Henry’s father John, formed a brass quintet, which consisted of a slide trumpet, three hand horns and a trombone.

1844, they met with Sax and changed to Saxhorns. ¹

1846, Distin & Sons, was established as a store for selling Saxhorns, at 31 Cranbourn St, London, previously their store was at 29 Cranbourn St, presumably selling horns made by Sax.

1849, they began manufacturing brass instruments under their own name.

1850 Henry became proprietor of Distin & Sons. The logo was a letter D with DISTIN the stem of the D and LONDON vertically in the bow in the 1850s.

1853 Distin had a dispute with Sax, who removed his franchise.

1857 Located at 31 Cranbourn St and 9 Great Newport St

1860s- to mid 60s, the logo was an ellipse DISTIN * LONDON * with MAKER inside

1863 John Distin died

1865 The logo had a trumpet and banner incorporating DISTIN

1868, Distin sold out to Boosey, and agreed to not make instruments within 100 miles of London. His plan was to retire, but a number of ill advised business ventures, cost him his savings, and he had to declare bankruptcy.

1876 Distin helped build and superintend Martins factory at 31 Courtlandt, New York

1877 Distin emigrated to the US.

1878 Distin began making instruments at the same location as Busch at 251 Bowery, New York City.

1879 In association with Slater until 1881, 36 Courtlandt St

1879 Located at 255 and 385 Bowery New York

1880 Located at 115 E 13th St. NY and Distin began importing instruments for JW Pepper.

1881 Worked with Slater, Slater was making Distin instruments under Distins supervision

1882 he helped set up a company for J. W. Pepper. Pepper wanted to produce economically priced instruments.

1884 Distin was located at 114 S. 2nd Phila.

1886 he set up his own stock company in partnership with Senator luther Keefer and other businessmen. This company was dedicated to produce only high grade brass instruments.

1887 917-919 Filbert St

1888 his manufacturing plant was located at Cressona, PA. This plant made the instruments but they were sent to Philadelphia for platting and shipment. Business address was 913 Arch St. Phila.

1888 Henry Distin made several trips to Williamsport to deliver instruments for the Repasz band and was familiar with the city. On Dec. 14 W. J. McCormick, president of the Distin Co., came to Williamsport to deliver an instrument for the Repasz Band and to investigate the possibility of moving to Williamsport.

188 Distin performed a solo with Gilmores Band on a Distin bass horn borrowed from Repasz.

1889 On Sept.17, Distin accept an offer to move the company to Williamsport. A group of investors led by ex-state Senator Luther R. Keefer (named as president) and Brua C. Keefer as Sec.-Treas. purchased the grandstand of Old Oaks Park and converted it into a factory. W. J. McCormick,president and manager of Distin, supervised the move to Williamsport. The first instrument to come off the line was a B flat cornet on Jan.16, 1890. McCormick soon resigned due to ill health and Brua C. Keefer gave up a law practice in Pottsville, Pa. to manage the company.

1890 Distin retired in July, and received a pension. A number of special hunters horns were manufactured as commemorative pieces. 1890 The Williamsport City directory listed Henry Distin as owning and residing in a home in Williamsport. But, it appears that he may have retired to Philadelphia.

1891 Langwill lists the location at 819 Tasker Williamsport until 1903. But so far this address has not been located in Williamsport, nor referenced in any other documentation. (819 Tasker in Philadelphia appears to be a residential part of the city.)

1898 The company prospered, partially do to contracts to furnish for the US military. A 1898 article states that the factory operated night and day to turn instruments for the military. The military instruments are marked USQMD.

1903 Distin Died.

1908 in the Metronome of June, the Distin Company claimed to be the largest producer of high grade band instruments in the US.

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