Quick Facts
Biography
John James Hattstaedt (pronounced HATT-stedt; b. 29 Dec. 1851 Monroe, Michigan; d. 30 Nov 1931 Chicago) founded the American Conservatory of Music in 1886. He served as its president from its founding until six months before his death, when he became ill. At the time of his death, the Conservatory had an enrollment of over 3,000.
Early days
Before founding the American Conservatory, Hattstaedt taught piano in Detroit and St. Louis. He moved to Chicago in 1875, where in 1886, he organized the American Conservatory of Music.
Family
J. J. Hattstaedt's father, Georg Wilhelm Christoph Hattstadt (1811–1884), was a Lutheran pastor in Monroe, Michigan.
J. J. Hattstaedt's wife, Kate (aka Kitty; née Kate May Castle; b. Beloit, Wisconsin; married 27 Dec. 1882 Chicago; d. 7 Aug. 1961 Hollywood, California) lived to be 106 years old. Her obituary from The New York Times reported that, of her 72 years living in Chicago, she had attended the opening of 62 seasons of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.