The Karn name was associated with one of the largest and most prestigious piano & organ manufacturers in Canadian history. The company was originally established by Dennis W. Karn and John M. Miller in 1867 as The Woodstock Organ Factory in Woodstock, Ontario.  The name was soon changed to Miller & Karn  D. W. Karn bought out J. M. Miller in 1870.  The firm remained known as Miller & Karn until 1873 when it was reorganized as “D. W. Karn & Co., Ltd”.

D. W. Karn purchased the S. R. Warren Piano Company of Toronto in 1896.  In 1909 the firm merged with The Morris Piano Company of Listowel, Ontario and the name was then changed to “The Karn-Morris Piano & Organ Company”.   The Karn-Morris Piano & Organ Company had several retail showrooms in both North America and the U.K.  The firm produced exceptionally well-made, good sounding pianos that could endure harsh climates unscathed.

In 1924 Sherlock Manning purchased The Karn-Morris Piano & Organ Company.  Sherlock Manning continued to produce pianos under the “Karn” name until 1961.