In 1887 Justus Seeburg started his career in the piano industry. He spent these years in the Chicago-land area. The first company Seeburg worked for was C.A. Smith this later became Smith, Barnes, and Strohber.  Seeburg then went and worked for Bush and Gertz. After Bush and Gertz he became the manager of the Conover Piano manufacturing facility of the Chicago Cottage Organ Company.