Joseph Merklin
Joseph Merklin ( born February 17, 1819 in Oberhausen, now the town of Oberhausen - Rheinhaus district of Karlsruhe, † June 10, 1905 in Nancy ) was a German organ builder, but also acted in Belgium and France.
Life and work
First experience was gained in the organ building city his father Franz Joseph Merklin before in Basel continued his apprenticeship with Friedrich Haas. One important stop was the training at Eberhard Friedrich Walcker before in which, for its romantic organs he known in Linnich near Aachen, organ builder William Korfmacher worked. During this period ( 1840s ), he was active in Belgium, by being involved in the construction of two organs in Stavelot and Namur.
From 1843 Merklin operating his own workshop in Brussels, from 1847 together with his brother Friedrich Schütze. In 1853 the company converted under the name J. Merklin-Schütze et Cie. , In a limited partnership. From 1870, he lived first in Paris and then went to Lyons, where he met the organ builder Théophile Kuhn ( from the Swiss organ building family Kuhn ) teamed up. At the end of the century the company was called then Michel, Merklin & Kuhn. Over time, he developed into a strong competitor of Aristide Cavaillé -Coll.
Descendants ( sons? ) Were later Gustav Merklin ( active from 1865 ), August Merklin and Fridolin Merklin.