Ann Arbor's Furniture Firms

While Ann Arbor is not such a center for furniture-making as is Grand Rapids, yet the business is an important one to the city, employing over 80 people and givins; evidence of a healthy growth which will materially add to the city's population. The MICHIGAN FÜRBITÜRK COMPANY On corner of West Williatn and Fourth streetí, is the largest furniture concern in Ann Arbor. Established in September, 1869, with nearly its present capacity, it has met with uniform success. Ita capital stock is limited to $40,000, and it is a'.l taken, mostly by Ann Arbor business men. The following is a list of the shareïolders: Rinsey & Seabolt, estáte of J. J. Ellis, Chas. E. Hiscock, Paul Sip.uble, Jno. G. H fftetter, estáte Lewis Fii:z, W. D. I.irriman, L. Gruner, T. M. Cooley, A. L. ioble, Theo. Grube, Wm. Wagner, Aug. DeFiies, A. W. Hamil'on. Mack & Schmid, M. J. Fri'z, May E. Haaiilton, K. W. Half, G. J. Pearl, Cnritian Jenter, Lois J. Wright, estBte A. A. Wood, M. W. Seatolt, K. ch & Haller, F. H. Brl-er, E. S Beal, M. LsuhengHVer. Chas. E Green, 3uzrl & Cr., Henry F. Bnrnard, Chas. S. Sregory, W. L. Alexander, H. Sesf-ion?, estáte A. B. Pultner, Mrs. F. W. McA.ndrews, Chas. Dietas, Daniel A. Allen, W. W. Hannon, H. P. Ellis, Jno. A. Elüs, Ja.. D. Duncnn, Alfred R. Beal, Henry C. Gregory, Fred Shmid Sr., Mrs. J. C. Watson, Henry J. Munn, Jno. Maier, Jno. Geo. Koch. Paul Snauble has been the active manager of the company's business gince its organiz ition. The company make nothing but chamber suits in walnut, ash, cherry, mp!e, nnd principally oak. They use about 350,000 feet oï lumber annually, and most of this comes from timber between Ann Arbor and Toledo. The value of their manufacturad goods during the past six vears has been as follows : 1883 _ „..$.-0,000 ]88l _„.„ 35,000 1 8S5 _ 43,1100 186 63000 1887 _ M.OOO 1858 56,000 The great falling off in 1884 was due to defects in machinery which caused tbeir shutting down tbree monthg. In recent y ears the company bas put $4,000 into their main building, and have purchased three lots lor a luniber yard. They are now contemplating the erection of a fine lour-story factory, which seems to be imperatively demanded. This company paya in wagea from $19,000 to $22,000 per year, and henee it is an important element of Am Arbor's pronperity. lt ships its goods to all parts of Michigan, to Missouri. Illinoip, Iowa, Nebraska, Indiana, Obio, Keotucky, I'enupylvania, New York, Wisconsin and Florida. Mr. Soauble, the manager, takeg a run out of the city occasionally to introduce the company's goods, and they have two men selling oi. commission. The company has plans preparèd for a new factory, to stand on the site of the factory they now use. It is to be 45x 100 fieet, four stories high, the ñrst story of lime-stone, and the rest of brick. ït will coft about $12,000 to $15,000, and will doublé the capacity of the company. KUEBLER & CO , Corner South Fourth and Madison ets., have been operating in Ann Arbor live yeare. They make a specialty of parlor tables, although they manufacture sime chamber suits of their own designs. The value of their annual output is about $13,000, aud they keep 10 employés constantly busy, being behind their orders all the time. Kuebler & Co. (.hip their goods to Massachusette, Nebraska, New York, Pennpylvannia, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin aud Iowa. One of their ber euits was sent by au American to China. The company ought to have more room. Their finishing is now done over A. L. Noble'a store. They need a finishingroom and store-room near their factory. T. RAUSCHKNBEBGEK k CO , On Vine st, near W. Liberty, keep eight persons busy doing job work, for Ann Arbor citizens, and in making furniture which thoy sell in Michigan, Ohio, Pennsvlvania, Indiana, Illinois and New York. Their goods consist of book-cases, sideboarde, and chamber-suite, of which they make about $7,000 worth each year. They commenced on a very stnall scale eleven years ago, employing only one man besidea the members of the company, but they steadily added to 'the little thriving business, and three years ago they erecied the ware-house and finishing house which they now use.