Musical instrument manufacturer. Born in Oppelsbohm, Wurttemberg, he emigrated to the U.S. in 1896 and worked a number of jobs. His first experience in the musical instrument industry was working for Buescher, where it is said, he helped Buescher design his first piston valves. He worked for the Mennonite Publishing House in Elkhart from 1899 to 1900. He then went to Chicago, and in 1903 his name appears a payroll sheet as an employee for Frank Holton. It is also said that he had worked for several tool and dye firms. In 1907 Blessing had returned to Elkhart and began manufacturing instruments in the back of his house. For many years his operation was quite small. By 1926 it was officially known as the Emil K. Blessing Company. By 1936 it was known as the E.K. Blessing Band Instrument Company. In 1940 it was incorporated, and then in 1946 the name was changed to the less cumbersome E.K. Blessing Company, Inc. For many years Blessing's company produced student line brass instruments, but many years after his death, his company began upgrading their products and introducing professional models, as well as better lines of flutes, clarinets and saxophones. He died from a heart attack in his shop, and was succeeded in the business by his son E.K. Blessing, Jr.
Musical instrument manufacturer. Born in Oppelsbohm, Wurttemberg, he emigrated to the U.S. in 1896 and worked a number of jobs. His first experience in the musical instrument industry was working for Buescher, where it is said, he helped Buescher design his first piston valves. He worked for the Mennonite Publishing House in Elkhart from 1899 to 1900. He then went to Chicago, and in 1903 his name appears a payroll sheet as an employee for Frank Holton. It is also said that he had worked for several tool and dye firms. In 1907 Blessing had returned to Elkhart and began manufacturing instruments in the back of his house. For many years his operation was quite small. By 1926 it was officially known as the Emil K. Blessing Company. By 1936 it was known as the E.K. Blessing Band Instrument Company. In 1940 it was incorporated, and then in 1946 the name was changed to the less cumbersome E.K. Blessing Company, Inc. For many years Blessing's company produced student line brass instruments, but many years after his death, his company began upgrading their products and introducing professional models, as well as better lines of flutes, clarinets and saxophones. He died from a heart attack in his shop, and was succeeded in the business by his son E.K. Blessing, Jr.
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