Foster A. Reynolds | 1884-1935

Foster Adolph Reynolds was born in Ohio on December 29, 1884. According to his death records, his mother's maiden name was Woods. A younger brother, Harper A. Reynolds, was born on August 25, 1892 (d. June 18, 1975). Little else is known about Reynolds' family or early life.

In 1903, at age 18, Reynolds began an apprenticeship at the J.W. York and Sons Company in Grand Rapids, Michigan. York and Sons (later York Band Instrument Co.) had been established by a former army musician, James W. York, in 1882 following training in brass repair and manufacturing at the Boston Musical Instrument Manufactory. Boston Musical traces its roots back to 1869 when the staffs of Graves & Co. and E.G. Wright & Co., including renowned brassmen E.G. Wright, William Graves, Henry Esbach and Louis Hartman, joined forces after the Civil War.

Foster Reynolds quickly made a name for himself at York by building superior trumpet and cornet valves and shortly thereafter he was approached by the H.N. White Company in Cleveland to work on a high brass line that would complement the outstanding King trombones that White was known for.

Reynolds left York in 1904 to join H.N. White at 5225 Superior Avenue in Cleveland. He quickly became a company man and worked as superintendent on the factory floor.

"Mr. 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. He has taken an interest in the business, and worked for it, making its success his own. In particular, he has advanced the art of valve making to greater perfection than ever before known. Mr. 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." [ 1911 H.N. White catalog; source: www.hnwhite.com]

Reynolds' name appears on a 1912 patent for the King Perfecto No.1 Cornet. Reynolds’ passion for instrument manufacturing innovation and quality was evident throughout his tenure at H.N. White and he frequently consulted with physicists about improving the intonation and playing characteristics of brass instruments.

"F.A. Reynolds [has] surrounded himself with the most competent force of mechanical experts possible to obtain. This company is particularly fortunate in having Mr. Reynolds as its superintendent. For he is the 'balance' so vital to success. His practical experience and his mechanical knowledge make him sound and thorough. 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. And his practical training is your assurance that faulty, slighting work can never come from the shops of The H.N. White Company." [ 1924 H.N. White catalog; source: www.hnwhite.com]

By 1927, Foster Reynolds had become the Works Manager (plant manager) of The H.N. White Co., advancing into the senior management ranks along with Henderson N. White (President), Hugh E. White (Vice President) and Richard M. White (Secretary). Reynolds later became Vice President and General Manager of the company.

Foster Reynolds left H.N. White at the end of 1935. In all, Foster Reynolds worked for over 30 years at H.N. White Co. and was instrumental in building that company into a leading brass manufacturer. Reynolds personally became one of the principal figures in the brass instrument manufacturing industry in the first half of the 1900s; one source refers to Foster Reynolds as "Mr. Band Instruments" during this timeframe.

>> Foster Reynolds | 1936-1960

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Photo credits: 1-3, 5. www.hnwhite.com; 4. eBay (unknown);