Charles J. Orth

Charles Joseph Orth (April 11, 1867 – February 1, 1921) was an American pianist, composer, and businessman known primarily for American march music and the novelty descriptive piece “In a Clock Store”, which featured in popular music repertoire of the early 20th century. Biography Orth was born on April 11, 1867, and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he showed interest in music as a child, but his father planned for him to take over the family business instead. Due to his father’s disapproval, he studied music in secret with the help of his mother. He became a student of Christopher Bach, Otto von Gumpert, William Dohrbeck, Hugo Kaun and Franz Neumann. His father eventually found out, and was impressed by his son’s musicianship, allowing him to continue his music studies as long as he balanced it out with his business education. He began to play piano in public throughout the city and the state. Orth eventually completed his study of business and joined his family’s business according to the wishes of his father, but the business failed. Wanting to now pursue a career as a musician, his father still refused to allow it. They came to a compromise, with Orth working for a music d