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George Fisk and Fisk Violins
Stradivarius of the West
The Fisk Timeline
1838 - 1926
Birth - 1838
George W. Fisk was born on May 30th, 1838 in Bennington, VT.
Move to Hoosick Falls, NY
Fisk moved to Hoosick Falls as a child. He soon worked for Walter A Wood at Wood and Parsons as a pattern maker. Fisk makes his first two violins while working here.
The Hoosick Falls Cornet Band - 1859
Fisk helps to found the Hoosick Falls Cornet Bands in which he plays baritone cornet. The instruments for the town band arrived on July 4th, 1859 and cost $25 each. (Fisk is 21)
Touring with Bennington Band - 1860
Fisk excels at the Baritone and is asked to play with the traveling Bennington Band in Troy on July 4th, 1860. (Fisk is 22)
Playing in the Civil War
June 1861 - December 1861
The Bennington Cornet band enlists to be the band for the 2nd Vermont Infantry Regiment under Captain Frank Crossett. Fisk plays in the war from June 15th, 1861 - December 19th, 1861, and is present at the battle of Bull Run on July 16th - 21st, 1861. (Fisk is 23 - 27)
Headed West - 1870
Fisk joins the Union Colony and travels west with the Meeker caravan in 1870. Fisk immediately returns to Hoosick Falls after a near-fatal accident with his then-wife. (Fisk is 32)
The Beginning of Violins - 1871
Fisk begins making violins for sale in 1871. (Fisk is 33)
Back to the Union Colony - 1876
Fisk returns to The Union Colony for good and settles at 710 12th St. in the spring of 1876 (changed to Greeley in 1886.) (Fisk is 38)
The Princess is Born - 1882
Fisk makes the violin "The Princess" for Edouard Remenyi. (Fisk is 44)
Letter Praises Fisk from Remenyi - 1883
Edouard Remenyi writes a complimentary letter about Fisk to the Denver Daily Tribune on August 29th, 1883. (Fisk is 45)
Letter from Ferdinand Stark - 1896
Herr Ferdinand Stark writes a letter to Fisk praising the violin he bought from Fisk on June 6th, 1896. (Fisk is 58)
Stark Has Concert Honoring Fisk - 1897
Herr Ferdinand Stark dedicates a concert to Fisk and plays his Fisk during the Stark's Vienna Orchestra Concert on March 29th, 1897. (Fisk is 58)
106th Violin - 1901
Fisk completes his 106th Violin in 1901. (Fisk is 63)
123rd Violin - 1906
Fisk completes his 123rd Violin on his 68th Birthday on May 30th, 1906.
128th Violin - 1908
Fisk completes his 128th Violin in October 1908. (Fisk is 70)
144th Violin - 1911
Fisk completes his 144th violin on July 22nd, 1911. (Fisk is 73)
156th Violin - 1913
Fisk completes his 156th Violin in 1913. (Fisk is 75)
Death - 1926
Fisk passes away at 2:30 AM on, I believe, September 15th, 1926 at the Greeley Hospital. (Fisk is 88)
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