Comments and Tags
The Wolverine Chair and Furniture Company, located on Water (Front) street, near the west end of Pearl street bridge, was organized March 10, 1880. At the present time (1881) this company are engaged wholly in the manufacture of fine cane seat chairs and frames for upholstering. The company has just entered upon the second year of its existence, having been organized in March, 1880, as a stock company. Their facilities for manufacturing are excellent, being located in a large and commodious building, 50 x 150 feet on the ground, and three stories and basement high, propelled by water power, equipped with a complete outfit of new machinery of the most approved kind, and employing none but skilled workmen. They are manufacturing a supply of goods in their line, which find ready sale in all parts of the country. The officers of the company are: William Henry Powers, President; Gen. Byron Root Pierce, Vice President; Dr. C. W. Prindle, Secretary, and Joseph H. Walker, Treasurer. Board of Directors: William H. Powers, B. R. Pierce, Dr. C. W. Prindle, Joseph H. Walker, Amasa B. Watson, William Thompson Powers and Daniel Heath Powers. The company will soon increase its capital stock as their rapidly growing business now demands it. This is destined to be one of the largest manufacturing concerns in the city of Grand Rapids. It commenced business on the proper basis, by commencing small and building up legitimately as its increasing men, who have the entire confidence of the community, they must surely succeed in making the business all they desire. © 1881, History of Kent County, Chapman’s, Furniture, page 915Jim Winslow, 12/10/2016
Furniture ➔ Swivel Chair
Identifier:
2000.44.1Description:
This swivel chair was manufactured by the Wolverine Chair and Furniture Company around 1890. The frame is made of walnut and the crest rail, supported between reeded stiles, features foliate scroll carvings. The cane splat is suspended between the crest rail and the scalloped lower back rail and the incised armrests display foliate scroll carvings on the outsides. The cane seat has an incised apron and sits atop a swivel pedestal supported by four incised legs on casters.This swivel chair was used by the donor Otto Nerad in his office in Chicago, Illinois.
Marks and Labels
-"Manf'd by the | Wolverine C & F Co. | GR Rapids Mich": Stamped into the right inside seat rail
Date:
circa 1890Materials:
Walnut, Rattan, IronDimensions:
40.25" h 22" w 20" dCurrent Location Status:
In StorageCollection Tier:
Tier 2Source:
In Memory Of Victoria Hanslovsky NeradExhibit/Program:
Streets of Old Grand Rapids: Dentist Office (2024)Dentistry developed more slowly than medicine and enjoyed little professional status until late in the 19th century. Early dentists competed with physicians, barbers, druggists, and even blacksmiths. Usually the practice involved extracting decayed teeth rather than making any attempt to fill the cavity. Ignorance of dental hygiene and a relatively low standard of living resulted in many individuals losing all of their teeth by middle age.
This dentist office belongs to Dr. Ezra S. Holmes of Grand Rapids who was a long-time dentist and was involved in the professionalization of the field in Michigan. He was a civic leader in Grand Rapids whose involvement with the early development of the museum also makes him a notable historical figure. He served as the President of the Kent Scientific Institute (KSI), was a charter member of KSI and later employed as the assistant to the KSI director from 1903 until his death in 1914.
Related Entities:
Wolverine Chair and Furniture Company (creator)Alternate names: Wolverine Chair Company Otto Nerad (donor)