Root & Cady dominated Chicago 's music publishing industry until the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 , which destroyed $ 125,000 of the firm 's inventory , leading to its bankruptcy within a year . In 1875 , the former members of Root & Cady formed a new firm : The Root & Sons Music Company . The members were ( i ) George F. Root ( 1820 – 1895 ) , ( ii ) Frederick Woodman Root ( 1846 – 1918 ) , George 's son , ( iii ) Ebenezer Towner Root ( 1822 – 1896 ) — George 's brother — ( iv ) William Lewis ( 1837 – ) , ( v ) William A. Root — George 's brother — and ( vi ) Charles C. Curtiss ( 1847 – 1928 ) , who served as manager
Great Chicago Fire
Great Chicago Fire
Root & Cady