Gettysburg furniture companies
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Furniture manufacturing |
| Founded | July 1902 |
| Founder | John M. Warner, John Kimple, Louis Mitzell, Levi Starner, Charles S. Duncan, Charles Emory, David M. Wolf |
| Headquarters | Gettysburg , United States |
| Products | Buffets, sideboards, hall racks, washstands (oak furniture) |
Number of employees | 261 (Gettysburg plant in 1927) |
Furniture production experienced considerable growth in Gettysburg, becoming an integral component of Pennsylvania's economic landscape from the early through mid-20th century.
History
The Gettysburg Manufacturing Company was established in July 1902 by John M. Warner, John Kimple, Louis Mitzell, Levi Starner, Charles S. Duncan, Charles Emory, and David M. Wolf. This firm specialized in crafting various furniture types, including buffets, sideboards, hall racks, and washstands, predominantly utilizing oak wood. Following the passing of Levi Starner in 1902, the remaining partners acquired full ownership of the company by December 1904.
By 1912, the enterprise adopted the name Gettysburg Furniture Company. Its successor entity was the Engle Furniture Company, led by Michel Engle, which initiated production of dressers in 1905 and subsequently broadened its product range to include chiffoniers, buffets, sideboards, and library tables crafted from oak and mahogany. In May 1907, under Clayton S. Reaser’s leadership, Engle Furniture transitioned into the Reaser Furniture Company, offering an extensive catalog exceeding forty designs featuring hand-carved elements.
The Stouck-Reaser Company was incorporated in May 1917 to manage wholesale lumber distribution. After Clayton Reaser’s death in 1918, M. C. Jones oversaw operations at both Reaser and Gettysburg manufacturing facilities, with Henry Cordes contributing as a local furniture designer.
Throughout the 1920s, furniture production remained a cornerstone industry. The Gettysburg Panel Company was founded in 1920 to produce veneer panels for area manufacturers, followed by the establishment of the Gettysburg Chair Company in 1923 to supply chairs for bedroom and dining ensembles. That same year, nearly 71,000 furniture items were produced within the borough. By 1927, three manufacturing plants collectively employed 522 individuals: 261 at Gettysburg, 153 at Reaser, and 108 at Panel.
Mid-20th century trends saw a decline in this sector; in November 1951 Stouck-Reaser secured permission to construct a new office building while other firms were acquired by Sidney G. Rose from Cincinnati. The Gettysburg Furniture Company’s factory ceased operations in 1960 and was converted into a warehouse and distribution hub supporting Rose’s furniture businesses outside Pennsylvania.
By 1966, Dolly Madison Industries operated a Furniture Division facility located in Gettysburg.