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AMERICAN OF MARTINSVILLE
Monticello, Arkansas
American of Martinsville was founded in 1906 by two tobacco farmers from Martinsville, Virginia. Originally a producer exclusively of bedroom furniture, the company expanded its offerings in the early 1920s. American of Martinsville is still in business today, operating out of Southern Arkansas. Read more here.
JAMES A. COLE FURNITURE COMPANY
Ingersoll, Ontario
The James A. Cole Furniture Company was founded in 1887 in Ingersoll, Ontario as the Hault Manufacturing Company. The company was renamed the Ellis Furniture Company in 1893, and in 1927 assumed the name of James A. Cole. In addition to furniture, they also manufactured caskets under the name Ingersoll Casket Company. Read more here.
DREXEL FURNITURE COMPANY
Drexel, North Carolina
The Drexel Furniture Company was founded in 1903 in Drexel, North Carolina. By midcentury, the company's reputation for quality craftsmanship propelled it beyond home furniture into production of dormitory and hospital furniture. Read more here.
INNIS, PEARCE & CO.
Rushville, Indiana
Innis, Pearce & Co. was founded in 1894 by William W. Innis and William M. Pierce in Rushville, Indiana in 1884. Starting with a planing mill, the partners added furniture manufacturing to their enterprise and quickly gained a reputation for their high-quality furniture. A fire destroyed the factory in 1892 but was rebuilt the following year. Read more here.
KIEL FURNITURE CO.
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Kiel Furniture Company was founded in 1892 (as Kiel Manufacturing Company) in Kiel, Wisconsin. The company was renamed in 1907, and in 1920 opened a factory in Milwaukee. Kiel stopped producing furniture in the early 1930s. Read more here.
KLING FURNITURE
Mayville, New York
Kling Furniture was founded in 1911 by Swedish immigrant John A. Kling when he purchased a bankrupt furniture company in Mayville, New York. The Kling enterprise grew significantly during the early twentieth century and remained in the family until 1962 when the company was sold to what is now Ethan Allen. The original Mayville factory was in operation until 2003. Read more here.
MERSMAN BROTHERS
Ottoville, Ohio
J.B. Mersman founded the company bearing his name in Ottoville, Ohio in 1876. Mersman tables -- most notably accent, side, and occasional tables -- were enormously popular and ubiquitous in twentieth century American homes. Read more here.
TELL CITY CHAIR COMPANY
Tell City, Indiana
The Tell City Chair company was founded in 1865 in Tell City, Indiana. It was a well-known and well-respected manufacturer of dining chairs and other seating throughout much of the twentieth century. In 1962, Jackie Kennedy ordered Tell City chairs during her redesign of the White House interior! Read more here.
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