Daniel Fisher Beatty, the subject of this sketch, was born on the summit of Schooley’s Mountain (near Beattystown), in Lebanon township, Hunterdon Co., N.J., on the 14th of August, 1848. He is the son of George W. and Elizabeth (Fisher) Beatty, the former being a son of James, who emigrated from the north of Ireland and was eighty-eight years old at the time of his death. John Beatty, one of the sons of James, of Ireland, was the father of Maj. Gen. Samuel Beatty, of Stark Co., Ohio, who served with distinction in the Mexican war, and in the late war of the Rebellion rose through all the grades to the rank of major-general.

James Beatty came to this country in the latter part of the eighteenth century. His son, George W., married when quite a young man, and brought up a family of ten children, four daughters and six sons, of whom the third son, Daniel F., has become noted for his extraordinary genius and enterprise in the development and manufacture of the popular musical instruments which bear his name. In early life he evinced not only a rare business capacity, but a decided taste for music and for the rustic scenes surrounding his native home in the mountains. In the reception-room of the old homestead the visitor is shown the instrument— an old-fashioned melodeon, long since out of date— which first inspired the subject of our sketch, while he little dreamed that in after-years he should be the means of introducing instruments far superior to this one on which he practiced his first youthful lessons. Amidst these early associations we learn for the first time the reason why we do not find him established in the city, like other large and influential manufacturers, carrying out his ideas amidst the hum and bustle of the busy mart, but preferring to remain near the place of his birth and to build up a business which has now become the chief industry of Washington, N.J.

It is said that "young Beatty gave early indications that he was not ‘cut out’ for a farmer." Tucking his music-book under his arm, he would sally forth to the fields, and, while perhaps his father would berate him for not taking his hand at the plow, he would be deeply immersed in the mysteries of the theory of music, or making out impromptu advertisements of his contemplated occupation, or, beside the cool spring of never-failing water, he would con his book, and amidst the rustic scenes and sounds instil into his mind his first rude conceptions which in after-years moulded his tastes and pursuits to that refinement which early musical associations beget.

While at home on the farm, Mr. Beatty led the. choir in the church of his neighborhood. His opportunities for education were such only as the common schools afforded, but his lack of classical culture is compensated for in a great measure by his quick perception, clear and rapid insight into the nature of things, the characters of men, and the readiness with which he appropriates the results of science and philosophy. He sees and generalizes rapidly, and comes directly to his conclusions, which are generally found to be safe and accurate. Above all, that which gives Mr. Beatty his great success is his practical common sense in business matters, which enables him to arrange his plans with reference to the best financial results,— a quality of mind which appeared early in his life, and which induced his father to entrust him with all his finances while he was yet in his minority.

Starting out in life for himself without one dollar in hand, he commenced business as a salesman, and finally advanced to the, manufacture of the instruments which bear his name; and, in the short period of his industrial life and fair dealing, he has so prospered that he now owns one of the largest factories in this country; has large and commodious offices, divided into seven departments, connected by electric bells, telephones, and telegraphs, by which news is received and transmitted to all parts of the world, adapted to all branches of his extensive business. His sales of musical instruments are simply enormous.

It may be truthfully said of Mr. Beatty that he is a natural genius, a sociable, clever man, and has abundantly prospered by being so liberal in giving to his customers the profits of the middle man by selling to them directly. He is a liberal and cheerful giver ol his substance to benevolent purposes; and, as a token of the high appreciation of his fellow-townsmen, he was elected mayor of Washington, N. J., the place of his residence, which office he holds at the present writing. The community which has thus honored him with its confidence is indebted more to him that to any other person for the prosperity it now enjoys on account of the immense organ and piano trade which he has centralized there. His generous donations of orders upon the largest local stores to supply flour to the needy during the severity of winter, and his liberal contributions to the various religious organizations, without regard to denomination, are indicative of but few of the many incidents that are continually transpiring, and which have made Mr. Beatty exceedingly popular among his fellow-citizens

The following account of the growth and extent o Mr. Beatty’s business is taken from the New York Daily Star:
"Daniel F. Beatty is still a young man, but he has succeeded in building up a business that to-day ranks second to none of its kind in the world, and his name is familiarly known in every State of the Union, an in the Canadas, Mexico, South America, and in many European countries, as the head of an establishment whose operations are vast in conception, complete in details, and successful in achievement. His attention was early turned to music, and in this way he became interested in the sale and finally in the manufacture of musical instruments. His first operations were on a small scale, but his active and progressive mind saw wide fields open to energy and enterprise in his chosen vocation, and he has never wavered nor faltered in his Projects. Mr. Beatty conceived the idea of embarking in business for himself, and being a man with whom to conceive was to perform, he at once established himself in a small office and began to manufacture organs in a small building. By his shrewd, skillful, and persistent advertising he attracted wide attention at once. His business grew to such an extent that he was forced to employ assistant after assistant, until to-day he employs forty men and women to keep his books and manage his correspondence, besides adding hundreds of workmen at the factories. The growth of his business was a surprise to him, and resulted from his peculiar methods of advertising. Letters and orders poured in very rapidly with every mail, and the instruments were sold in such numbers that he was unable to supply the demand without largely increasing his facilities.
"His organs are known in every part of the civilized world, and everywhere favorably known for their cheapness, elegance, and durability. Mr. Beatty is the man who first conceived the idea of reducing the prices of organs and pianos to a reasonable basis. He exposed the deceptions practiced by the leading manufacturers, and in face of established prices and customs he boldly bid for the patronage of the musical public. He was ridiculed and misrepresented by the monopolists who saw their profits in danger, and no stone was left unturned to defeat and ruin him. But conscious of the justice of his intentions, assured that the intelligent public would support him, he gallantly met and repulsed his foes at every turn, and they, instead of crushing him, were forced to curtail, and some go out of the market. This was a great thing for one young man to accomplish from an obscure inland village, but Daniel F. Beatty did it. These operations indicate the character of Mr. Beatty’s mind.
"But amid all the rush and hurry of a vast and far-reaching business, Mr. Beatty never forgets the duties of a man and a citizen. He was elevated to the Mayoralty of Washington entirely without his seeking it. His fellow-citizens chose him. He conducted no campaign, and was not even present on election day, business having called him to New York on that day, and the news of his triumph was telegraphed to his headquarters at the Fifth Avenue Hotel. He bears his honors modestly, and is the same genial, open-handed, free-hearted man as ever, not forgetting to relieve the pauper, to donate freely to his church, nor deeming it beneath him to preside at Children’s Day service in his own church."