Van Doorn Family Genealogy

Van Doorn Family GenealogyVan Doorn Family GenealogyVan Doorn Family Genealogy
Van Doorn Family History
Life in The Netherlands
The Decision to Emigrate
The Journey
Life in the United States
Adriaan Van Doorn Family
William Van Doorn Family
Adriaan's Parents
  • Marinus Van Doorn Family
Adriaan's Sister/Brother
  • Jannetje Van Doorn Family
  • Johannis Van Doorn Family
Will's Sisters/Brothers
  • Adriana Van Doorn Family
  • Dingena Van Doorn Family
  • Marinus Van Doorn Family
  • Arnold Van Doorn
  • John Van Doorn Family
  • Liz Van Doorn Family
The Westveers
The Holtmans
The Furniture Factories
The Final Resting Place
Adriaan's Ancestors
Adriaan's Descendants

Van Doorn Family Genealogy

Van Doorn Family GenealogyVan Doorn Family GenealogyVan Doorn Family Genealogy
Van Doorn Family History
Life in The Netherlands
The Decision to Emigrate
The Journey
Life in the United States
Adriaan Van Doorn Family
William Van Doorn Family
Adriaan's Parents
  • Marinus Van Doorn Family
Adriaan's Sister/Brother
  • Jannetje Van Doorn Family
  • Johannis Van Doorn Family
Will's Sisters/Brothers
  • Adriana Van Doorn Family
  • Dingena Van Doorn Family
  • Marinus Van Doorn Family
  • Arnold Van Doorn
  • John Van Doorn Family
  • Liz Van Doorn Family
The Westveers
The Holtmans
The Furniture Factories
The Final Resting Place
Adriaan's Ancestors
Adriaan's Descendants
More
  • Van Doorn Family History
  • Life in The Netherlands
  • The Decision to Emigrate
  • The Journey
  • Life in the United States
  • Adriaan Van Doorn Family
  • William Van Doorn Family
  • Adriaan's Parents
    • Marinus Van Doorn Family
  • Adriaan's Sister/Brother
    • Jannetje Van Doorn Family
    • Johannis Van Doorn Family
  • Will's Sisters/Brothers
    • Adriana Van Doorn Family
    • Dingena Van Doorn Family
    • Marinus Van Doorn Family
    • Arnold Van Doorn
    • John Van Doorn Family
    • Liz Van Doorn Family
  • The Westveers
  • The Holtmans
  • The Furniture Factories
  • The Final Resting Place
  • Adriaan's Ancestors
  • Adriaan's Descendants
  • Van Doorn Family History
  • Life in The Netherlands
  • The Decision to Emigrate
  • The Journey
  • Life in the United States
  • Adriaan Van Doorn Family
  • William Van Doorn Family
  • Adriaan's Parents
    • Marinus Van Doorn Family
  • Adriaan's Sister/Brother
    • Jannetje Van Doorn Family
    • Johannis Van Doorn Family
  • Will's Sisters/Brothers
    • Adriana Van Doorn Family
    • Dingena Van Doorn Family
    • Marinus Van Doorn Family
    • Arnold Van Doorn
    • John Van Doorn Family
    • Liz Van Doorn Family
  • The Westveers
  • The Holtmans
  • The Furniture Factories
  • The Final Resting Place
  • Adriaan's Ancestors
  • Adriaan's Descendants

More about the Furniture Factories

  

In the latter half of the 19th century, Grand Rapids earned a reputation as “The Furniture City.” Huge quantities of factory produced furniture were shipped world-wide.


Machine production of furniture reduced costs by cutting down on the amount of hand labor necessary to build a piece of furniture. Specialized machines were developed to carve multiple copies of a single part. For example, the King Spindle carving machine could create four identical panel pieces at one time. Planers, saws, joiners, and dovetailing machines made up just a portion of the equipment in a furniture factory.


However, machines could not do all the work. Carving, painting, and inlay work remained the task of skilled workmen. Although it was expensive, hand-made furniture continued to be favored by many buyers. 


An unskilled laborer in the furniture factories of Grand Rapids in the 1880s and 1890s might have earned as little as $1.50 a day. An extremely skilled workman could have earned as much as $7.00 per day. All worked about 60-70 hours per week.


Adriaan and William Van Doorn worked at Nelson, Matter & Company for many years. Adriaan was a polisher. William was a carver, a highly skilled position in the factory.


The Nelson, Matter & Company specialized in the manufacture of bedroom furniture. It was one of the oldest furniture companies in Grand Rapids, founded in 1854. However, it was not always financially successful. It went into receivership in 1893, was reorganized in 1894, and finally was liquidated in 1917. The Nelson, Matter & Company was located at 1 and 15 Lyon Street and 33, 35, and 37 Canal Streets. It employed 450-500 people.


Adriaan and William Van Doorn also worked at the Widdicomb Furniture Company. Adriaan was a machine head. William was a carver. In the late 19th century, the Widdicomb Furniture Company was known throughout the country for the quality of its fine furniture. They specialized in bedroom furniture: chamber suites, chiffoniers, bedsteads, and other bedroom furniture made from quarter sawn oak, birch, maple, and ash.  The company is still in operation today (under the name “John Widdicomb Company”) in downtown Grand Rapids, near the site of the original Widdicomb Furniture factories built in the 1800s.    


 Adriaan and William Van Doorn likely worked in a factory building similar to the one pictured above.

    Copyright © 2024 Van Doorn Genealogy - All Rights Reserved.

    Powered by

    This website uses cookies.

    We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data.

    Accept