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.
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