The Clayton brand of pianos was produced by The Windsor Piano Company of Chicago from about 1900 – 1949.  The firm was controlled by the large Montgomery Ward retail chain and both Clayton and Windsor pianos were sold by the thousands in larger Montgomery Ward store and through their mail-order sales catalogs.

Since Montgomery Ward sold these instruments through their mail order catalogs, they were often sent to the most rural parts of the country, usually by wagon and train. They would go to both extreme hot and cold climates, dry and moist climates, and the manufacturer had to guarantee them to hold up.  Many people think since a piano was made and sold by Montgomery Ward that it must be an average quality piano. These pianos were, in fact, exceedingly well made with substantial tone quality and excellent workmanship.