Shelby County Indiana
Historical Articles
The Furniture Industry
Historical Articles
The Furniture Industry
In the early 1900's, Shelbyville was known as "Little Grand Rapids" because of the number and quality of our furniture factories. Many families, including the Fleming's, were drawn to Shelbyville by the need for workers and craftsmen. Indiana had an abundance of white oak and walnut trees. The railroad, well established by now, brought the lumber in and took finished products to their destination. The book Shelby County, Indiana: History and Families, compiled by the Shelby Co Historical Soc and published in 1992, covers this industry and period in Shelby Co history quite well. I have listed here the names of the companies mentioned in their article:
Blanchard Furniture Company, belowPhyllis Miller Fleming
Blue River Furniture Factory, also called
D. L. Conrey, Z. B. Waller, John C. Deprez Company
(more commonly called Conrey Waller Deprez Company
Conrey and Birely Table Company, later known as
Davis-Birely Table Company
Shelbyville Lounge Co, later known as
Shelbyville Desk Co, whose facilities are now occupied by
Old Hickory Furniture Company
Hodell Furniture Company
Shelbyville Cabinet Co
Shelbyville Chair Co
Stewart and Blakely Table Co
Charles H. Campbell Furniture Co, later known as
J. B. Hamilton Furniture Company below
Shelby Shops, Inc
(separate section) Nukraft Mfg Co>
Shelby Woodcrafters
Blanchard-Hamilton Furniture Company
Conrey-Davis Furniture Company
Indiana Furniture Co
Shelbyville Wardrobe Mfg Co
Conrey and Forster Furniture Company, later known as
D. L. Conrey Furniture Company
Charles Schmoe Co
Spiegel Furniture Co, later known as
Spiegel Cabinet Company
Gregori Furniture Company
Blaine Mfg Company
Root Furniture Co, later known as
Albert Furniture Company
Henry Joseph Furniture Company
Danziger Furniture Company
Frechtling-Morner Company
Meloy Mfg Co, later known as
Bradley-Hall Outlet Furniture, Inc
Jester Outlet
Shelbyville Wardrobe Company
Tindall-Gerling Furniture Company, also called
Excell
Tindall-Dorsey
Tindall-Waggoner Company
Diamond Veneer Company
Walnut and Lumber and Veneer Company
Cobb Line
Reece-Hanley Furniture Company
Innis, Pearce & Company, Rush County, Indiana
The Shelbyville Daily Democrat
September 28, 1928
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Five Years Ago Today
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Home of a furniture factory strikebreaker here was stoned by a crowd of boys and young men.September 28, 1928
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Five Years Ago Today
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Contributed by Linda Allen
The Shelbyville Wardrobe Company
The Shelbyville Democrat
Shelbyville, Ind., November 28, 1914
--------oOo--------
WARDROBE OFFICE IS
DAMAGED $150
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SECOND TIME COMPANY HAS
SUFFERED FROM FIRE THIS YEAR.
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Troubles seem to be piling up for the Shelbyville Wardrobe company these days as the company suffered another fire loss today; the office of the corporation at 227 east Locust street being damaged at eleven o'clock to the extent of $150, or more. Fortunately the loss is covered by insurance. Early last September the company's plant was almost totally destroyed by fire and this is the second time the office itself has been damaged by fire.The Shelbyville Democrat
Shelbyville, Ind., November 28, 1914
--------oOo--------
WARDROBE OFFICE IS
DAMAGED $150
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SECOND TIME COMPANY HAS
SUFFERED FROM FIRE THIS YEAR.
------------
The fire today started from the furnace in the basement of the building and from there made its way to the roof by means of ventilation formed between two rafters and the plastering and the siding. The roof was ablaze before the fire was discovered and the department had a twenty-minutes' fight before the blaze was extinguished.
For a time it appeared the building was doomed and all the furniture and the records of the company were carried into the street. But for this the damage would have been much heavier as the firemen found it necessary to use a great deal of water.
The alarm was turned in from Box 34, South and Noble streets, at eleven o'clock, and the fire department made a good run and a quick one.
A few years ago, the office suffered from fire in the same manner as today, the furnace being the cause, and the damage at that time was about the same as today.
Copied by Phyllis Miller Fleming
Blue River Furniture Factory
Conrey, Waller, Deprez Company
Conrey - Birley Table Company
Davis - Birely Table Company
Postcard image contributed by George Young
Davis Birely Table Company, 250 Elizabeth Street, 1901-1938
In 1942, National Farm Machinery Co Co-Op bought the building.
In 1952, Pittsburgh Plate Glass Co bought the building complex.
In 1978, Knauf Fiber Glass began operations here.
Conrey, Waller, Deprez Company
Conrey - Birley Table Company
Davis - Birely Table Company
Postcard image contributed by George Young
Davis Birely Table Company, 250 Elizabeth Street, 1901-1938
In 1942, National Farm Machinery Co Co-Op bought the building.
In 1952, Pittsburgh Plate Glass Co bought the building complex.
In 1978, Knauf Fiber Glass began operations here.
The Shelby Democrat
January 15, 1925
Page 5, Column 2
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DAVIS - BIRELY TAKES
UP GROUP INSURANCE
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The Davis-Birely Table Co., oldest furniture manufacturing concern in Shelbyville, known as the Furniture City of the "Middle West," has featured the fortieth year of its business activities by establishing a group insurance program for its employees. Issued on a cooperative basis, where by the employer and employes jointly pay the premiums, the insurance went into effect shortly before Xmas. More than 95 per cent of the workers are covered for a total of $187,000 life protection, and health and accident insurance carrying individual benefits of $8 a week for a maximum period of 26 weeks. Each insured employee has $1,000 life insurance protection.January 15, 1925
Page 5, Column 2
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DAVIS - BIRELY TAKES
UP GROUP INSURANCE
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Of the employes insured, 100 have been with the Davis-Birley Co. 16 years or more, while 15 of the number have been in the company's employe 30 years. The owners, officers and foremen have all risen to their present positions from the ranks.
Supplementing the actual provisions of the policy are certain service features arranged by the insurance company for its group policy holders. These include a free visiting nurse service and the distribution of health booklets.
In announcing the group program, Charles Birely, president f the company, explained that while it has been the policy fo the Davis-Birely company to avoid attempting to control employes' earnings, or to divert to benefit plans or welfare work sums which otherwise might find their way into the pay envelope, it seems, however, to our plain duty to provide not only the most efficient equipment and methods, but to offer freely to our employes the advantages which our position as employer gives to us.
"In line with this thought, the offer we are making you today is an offer of protection, which no individual could possibly buy for himself at anything like the cost and which a great many individuals can not buy for themselves at any price because of the condition of their health."
"We feel that it represents a wonderful opportunity for every employe and we are glad to pay our share of the cost."
The Davis-Birley Table Co., was organized in July 1884. Its first weekly payroll has grown from $16.60 to $6,000. At the beginning of operations the plant occupied 1,000 square feet of floor space. To carry on the company's business now requires three large buildings, four stories high, while the buildings and yard cover five acres.
Contributed by Phyllis Miller Fleming
The Shelby Republican
Tuesday, August 29, 1899
Page 3
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The Conrey-Birely Table Company of this city, have filed their papers today increasing their capital stock to $500,000. Two hundred thousand dollars of this stock will be preferred, and the remaining three hundred thousand dollars will be common stock. Preferred stock only will be sold. Preferred stock is guaranteed 7 per cent, payable semi-annually. A large per cent of this stock is now taken by parties from a distance and as soon as all of the preferred stock is sold, and rightfully secured for switches for the westside factories, the company will start the cabinet plant and employ about three hundred additional men.Tuesday, August 29, 1899
Page 3
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This will give Shelbyville another great boom and place her right at the front as one of the leading furniture factory towns in Indiana. We will have more to say upon this subject on Monday.
Contributed by Phyllis Miller Fleming
The Shelbyville Republican
Tuesday, October 4, 1898
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The Conrey, Birely Table Company received a cablegram on Thursday from a firm in London, England, ordering 1,500 tables. This firm is shipping goods to many European cities.Tuesday, October 4, 1898
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Contributed by Phyllis Miller Fleming
An Indianapolis Newspaper
January 19, 1885
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Contact the Indiana State Library for a full copy.January 19, 1885
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FIRE / Shelbyville / Conrey, Waller and Deprez furniture factory destroyed. Loss $40,000.00. N. 1-19-1885 p3 c4
Hodell Furniture Company
Postcard image contributed by George Young
Postcard image contributed by George Young
Now KCL, the Hodell Furniture Company was started in 1888. The company manufactured bedroom furniture. Montgomery Ward and Sears were the primary customers. Julius and Jonas Joseph ran the company in the early 1900's. About 1932 (Depression), the factory discontinued business. The building (640 Hodell Ave) was later purchased by Kennedy Car Liner and Bag Company.
The Charles H. Campbell Furniture Company
J. B. Hamilton Furniture Company
Blanchard - Hamilton Furniture Company
J. B. Hamilton Furniture Company
Blanchard - Hamilton Furniture Company
The Shelby Republican
May 9, 1899
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This morning the Blanchard Furniture Company broke ground for a new addition to their plant, the structure to be seventy-two by 110 feet and three stories high. This extension has been made necessary by the increase in business.May 9, 1899
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Contributed by Phyllis Miller Fleming
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Photographs contributed by Angela Sorenson
Shelby County, Indiana: History and Families, states the J.B. Hamilton Furniture Company evolved out of the Charles H. Campbell Furniture Company around 1918. The factory was located at 620 Alpine Ave in 1924 and failed about 1933. Another paragraph talks about the Blanchard-Hamilton Furniture started by Joe Hamilton in 1890 and operating until about 1933. This company made bedroom furniture and china closets. The address of Blanchard-Hamilton was 425 E South St.
Innis, Pearce & Company
Furniture Factory --- This was organized in 1883 by W.W. Innis, W. M. Pearce, David Graham, George H. Puntenney and Robert A. Innis. At the termination of the first year G. H. Puntenney sold his interest to Paul Kerr. They manufactured a general line of bedsteads and chamber suits. At first they gave employment to fifteen hands, but with the yearly increase in the volume of their business they have increased the number employed until now they give constant employment to sixty workers. Their manufactures are now shipped by the car load to nearly every western and southern State. Everything would seem to indicate that it will still increase its output and go on in the high road of success. The management is careful and prudent.
History of Rush County, Indiana, Brant & Fuller, 1888, pages 652 & 655
Contributed by Barb Huff
The furniture manufacturing firm of Innis, Pearce & Company, founded in 1884, was the first manufacturing plant of any consequence to start in Rushville. The company began as a planning mill and later added furniture manufacture as an adjunct to the planning mill business. As its reputation for quality work became established, the Innis, Pearce Company devoted more and more time to furniture until finally it abandoned entirely the planning mill business. The company specialized in bedroom suites, which were produced in numerous styles out of walnut, elm, quartered oak, mahogany, bird’s-eye maple, shell maple, Hungarian ash, and various other woods. The firm employed about 120 persons in a handsome four-story brick building where they produced about fifty complete bedroom suites per day.
“At one time the Innis and Pearce Company was one of the biggest furniture companies in the state. Very few people know that for a number of years it owned 50 percent interest in the company that made the Louisville Slugger baseball bat. It also owned a large plant in Paoli, Indiana, that made handles for garden tools. At one time it owned the Indianapolis Veneer Company. It was also the Pure Oil Company distributor for ten or twelve counties, including Rush, Henry, Shelby, and Hancock. The big oil tanks, which sit behind what is now the Farm Bureau building, were put there by Innis and Pearce in the late 1920’s.”
“Innis and Pearce made furniture considered expensive in that time. When the Depression hit, it had debts, just like other companies, but it was never able to recover. Finally it ended up in receivership, and the receiver tried to operate the plant, but that didn’t work out. It had to be liquidated.
A Rush County Retrospect, Rush County Historical Society, 1984, Volume 1, pages 148-151
Contributed by Barb Huff
