Theodore Marschall immigrated to New York City from Bavaria in 1851 and became a very successful piano builder in New York City.  In 1856, Marschall went into partnership with Jean Laukota to form the firm of “Laukota & Marschall”, located at 5 Mercer Street. This was a short lived partnership which was dissolved a year later. Theodore Marschall then went on to become superintendent of the firm “Lighte & Bradbury“.  Marschall left Lighte & Bradbury in 1866 to go into partnership with George Mittauer to establish the firm of “Marschall & Mittauer”.

Marchall & Mittauer enjoyed a great deal of success, and built exceptional pianos. By 1870 the firm was the 19th largest piano manufacturing firm in the United States. In about 1872, Hugo Sohmer bought the firm of Marschall & Mittauer and reorganized it as “Sohmer & Company“.  Sohmer & Company went on to become one of the finest and most successful piano builders in American history.