Hinners Organ Company

Hinners Organ Company was an American manufacturer of reed and pipe organs located in Pekin, Illinois. Established in 1879 by German-American John Hinners, the firm grew through several partners, becoming Hinners & Fink in 1881, Hinners & Albertsen in 1886, and Hinners Organ Company in 1902. In the 1920s Hinners established a subsidiary, the Illinois Organ Supply Company, which mass-produced parts for Hinners and other firms. Business declined in the 1930s due to the Great Depression, changing technology, and increasing competition. Hinners became a service company in 1936 and closed in 1942.

During its history, the company built over 10,000 reed organs and its pipe organ opus numbers reached #3097, including rebuilds and enlargements. The majority of its pipe organs were stock models of two manuals and mechanical action, with electro-pneumatic instruments introduced in the 1910s. Hinners also built at least 49 theatre organs and some larger custom projects, including several three- and four-manual installations.

Hinners was one of the first American mail order catalogue companies. Its focus on standard models, mass production, and direct marketing meant that even small churches in Midwestern towns could afford a respectable pipe organ. Hinners was also notable for high-quality construction that could be serviced by local craftsmen in an era before reliable roads and electricity. By being among the first to make his products widely affordable to ordinary people across rural America, John Hinners has been compared to both Henry Ford and Aaron Montgomery Ward.