Johann Nepomuk Holzhey (also spelled Holzhay), born on February 26, 1741, in Rappen (now part of Unteregg), and died on September 18, 1809, in Ottobeuren, was a renowned German organ builder of the southern German Baroque period. Alongside Karl Joseph Riepp and Joseph Gabler, Holzhey is considered one of the most significant organ builders of his time in southern Germany.

Holzhey initially learned his craft from his uncle Alexander Holzhey, who completed the organ in Brixen Cathedral in 1758. He later worked for Karl Joseph Riepp, contributing to the organ of Salem Minster from 1767 to 1768. In 1766, Holzhey took over the workshop of his father-in-law Joseph Zettler in Ottobeuren, where he settled and became a member of the Ottobeuren Rosary Brotherhood two years later.

Following the decline of Swabian and Bavarian monasteries due to secularization in 1803, the demand for organ building significantly decreased. Holzhey, who had built around 40 organs by then, spent his final years working as a repair carpenter. His work is notable for integrating French classical organ elements introduced by Riepp into the traditional Upper Swabian organ style. Holzhey's contributions marked the decline of the Rückpositiv in Upper Swabian organ building.

https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johann_Nepomuk_Holzhey