The Douglas independent. [volume] (Roseburg, Or.) 187?-1885, 1880-10-30
An oREaon EnrnRpnnsE.



Oregon Furntture Manufacturing
Company and its Products.
Prosperity and Success Abundant.
Oregon as yet is q young state in years, young in
her developments, young in the products Of her
sources. Portland, her representative city, leads
the way in all the undertakings of magnitude and
Importance and is looked TO by the entire North Pa
rific for examples worthy of emulation. In reflect
ing over the situation and scanning the field for an
industry TO select as prominent example We fnd
lhe Oregon Furniture Manufacturing Company well
suited to purpose, which is to show readers
what world of wonders lie about u.s. only awaiting
the magic hand of industry, energy and perseyer-
Ance to bring forth such fruit the world cannot
sarpass. This company, its career and present po-
siton will well and If the kind reader will
upon tour of investigation through
this establishment viii endeaver TO interest
them Away back many years ago, association
Of far-seeing energetic gentlemen organized them
selves into company for the purpose of hewing
our native woods from the then almost unbroken
forests and transforming them into
ARTICLES OF FURNITURE
To meet the wants of a rapidly growing hamlet
With careful business economy the enterprise was
and rs the hamlet grew into thriving
village, the village into prosperous town and from
that on through the maze to become the queen city
Of the Pacific northwest in like proportion did the
Oregon Furniture Mandatory build up its walls
one of the MIDST extensive trades of any
similar undertaking within the pale OF that fertile
garden " where rolls the Oregon" The founders
in fact builded better thh they knew. We will pass
On down TO the present time, and find president
of this mammoth institution Samuel Lowenstein,
Esq. This gentleman isa graduate in the avenue Of
industry in which he ID engaged, and is n shrewd,
far-seefng, business man, having commenced at the
base and by untrinS industry surmounted every OBJ
stacle until reaching his present important position
at the head of the leading furniture house of t Pa
cific. In this we DO not err, as this company
turn out as fine work as can be fund in America.
By honest dealing strict attention to business
courteous treatment Of patrons, he has for him
self and the company the confidence Of the people.
In the secretary, Wih. hApus, Esq, We find q man
arfff 1arIv Gnif for J.netff Isa
having charge df the office business. He
Is an energetic, wide-awke business man
and known az public spirited citizen Any move
nent to benefit the city at large finds him in the
front ranks bearing his proportion of the expense
and labor One instance proves this and that the
position he occupies of the directors of the
Portland MechanicsI Fair Association With these
gentlemen conducting the lestinies OF this company
It viii retain Its prominent position at the head of
the manufacturing interests i'll Oregon and on the
Pacific coast. The shops occupy large three story
brick building on the corner of Front and Madison
streets and are made up Of the latest and most ap
chimes are driven by an immense sixty horse power
engine, and during the liyeong day the mingling
songs Of swiftly moving machinery make q grand
oratorio of industry within those walls. More than
sixty men are here employed, besides the large
number in the upholstery shops and store. giving
to that number OF families food and clothing by this
which in itself is pleasure to the officers
to contemplate and proves this labor giving insti
tuition Of which our city should feel proud. Had we
few more such energetic establishments, the Ore
gon Of to-day would soon pass from fact and men,
ory At every fair exhibition of consequence may
be found articles Of furniture open for public in.
spection taken from their general stock They have
no time to make articles
ESPECIALLY FoR EXHIBIT
And therefore the articles may be accepted as fair
samples only of their usual workmanship. The
company takes pleasure in showing the diplomas
and medals received slsch from the Paris Exposi-
tion, the Centennial at Philadelphia and Oregon
State Agricultural Society for articles other fur
niture factory on this coast could show Their
medals gold, silver and bronze, and marks of
distinction they have just to feel proud Of and
exhibit to their friends and the public with great
degree of satisfaction. The wareroOms Of this
pany are located on the of First and Yamhill
streets, and comprise several immense apartments
filled to oyerfowing with various articles of beauty
and value connected with their trade Their carpet
department is composed OF latest patterns in end
less profnsion and the entire stock consists OF staple
goods. Having given this brief desrriptio of the
business OF the company, We will visit the Meehan-
les Pavilion aud take peep at the articles they
have ON exhibition there Passing in at the main
entrance We make our way to the northern gallery.
At the head of the broad staircase attention is
first atttacted by the magnificent display of furni-
ture. We will pass on to the opposite end so that
We may travel from west TO east. The exhibit Is -
vided into three apartments. the walls being draped
with old gold and silver sheen. silk, upholster-
ing goods bound with mani-oolored border: Three
handsome chandeliers illunlne the booths to the
lightness and
BRIGHTNESS SUNSHINE.
The floors covered with rich brussels carpet
Turkish rugs etc. The first booth contains Hn ele-
giant book composed of ebony. black walnut and
birdseye maple polished as highly as a mirror. The
front upper portion has double doors of plate glass
while above, heavy carvings give to that portion
quiste finish of superior design and workmanship.
The lower portion has double panel doors, heavily
carved and mounted with silver trappngs. Next
an ingenious secretary with circular sliding
cover revealing pigeon holes drawers etc. which
are most conveniently arranged As the
cover is raised the writing desk he drawn ont
Is TO give ample room. Directly below are folding
doors which are thrown open, giving for COM
Portable seating and the feet 1t is very neatly I'm
Eh.AI fNirf g.f
ture covered with horsehidf adds 20 the variety and
bears evidence of being made for service. In the
center magniacently carved black walnut table
containing the various samples of marble used in
finishing furniture. The rear wall is occupied by n
geld trimmed CRATE surmounted by beautifu.
French plate mirror. Upon the central table is n
displays 10 good advantage the maple hurl and in
laid white ash and black walnut of which it is
posed, 1t also bears gold and bronze medal, re-
eeiyed by the company from Paris and Philadelphia.
The next section next invite attention. On the
wall may be seen diplomas and eertieates OF award
from various expositions, which speak more plainly
than words of the excellence of this companys work
crimson plush lounge Of Egyptian pattern and
a crimson plush reclining chair really uxurions
and affords pleasure to examine test They would
not be out of place in kings palace An easy chair
upholstered in crimson danask and trimmed in
crimson fringe is very attractive In the center of
this booth is an fnlsid table, the work of Daniel
Wenneberg an empfuye Of the company, and which
is masterpiece of art. The ground work is of
black ebony, inlaid with marquetrei. which is i'm
ported from Paris, the designs being strikingy
beautiful This is, without doubt, the finest piece
OF inlaid work on the coast. The main body of the
table is black walnut and maple burl, beautihel
with flashing lines OF fire gilt The employment OF
sucH SKILLED woRKMEs
In this state is departure INDUCED in by this
company alone. Next is oliyegreen raw silk easy
chair the fabric being exquistely lowered and up.
hostered upon York frame It is trimmed for
service with oliye-green plush which forms strik
ing contrast. An old gold fiowered silk patent
rocker is admired by ALL there being but one more
like 1t on this coast. 1t made to order the up
holstering goods being ordered especially for the
lady patron from the east. II is trimmed with
crimson plush which is complimentary in color to
the elaborately gilded black walnut frame The last
in this booth. Of special mention, is cardinal
brown silk upholstered easy chair. 1t II
howered in Japanese maze squares, trimmed
with wine eolored satin upon an Egyptian
frame and is the favorite piece of furniture
with the ladies, who the best judges OF
these magnificent articles. In the next booth we
find a superb bedroom set of modern and unique
pattern, ornamented with ebony panels and massive
carvings of black walnut. The bureau consists of
main body Of three drawers, with silver plated han
dies, set in a frame work of burl highly polished
This Is surmounted by fine slab of Tennessee
marble. On either side rise four beautiful pillars
to height of several feet and which support
opy of heavily carved walnut and ebony with fret
work laeings between. About one third way up the
columns either side elegant polished walnut and
ebony drawers placed for toilet articles. The
back portion of the upper section consists of three
crystal sheet French plate mirrors with beYeed edges
wide and two narrow, either side the same
width the space between the pillars All portions
are highly polished and we do not hesitate IN
saying it is of the most elegant single pieces
ever exhibited in Oregon. The bedstead is in
perfect keeping with the richness of carving and de-
sign displayed on the bureau. Its panels genu.
inc polished ebony, the carved walnut being perfec
ton the whole forming perfect study, and to be
appreciatedmust be eseenexanined 1t is specimen of
workmanship that any establishment on earth need
not feel ashamed of. The washstand and commode
combined is also perfect beauty, composed of ebo-
ny, walnut and burl, surfnounted by handsome
marble slab. In the center Of the booth is very
u.eDaoAtr vpoSy T.Rrp
inlaid with marquetrei of artistic design and nm.
ished in fire gilt. The bed is made up and to the
tired visitor at the fair has particularly inviting
appearance. The spread and pillow shsms are zeal
hand made lace of oriental pattern the work of Mrs
Mondt and which add little to the general beauty
of the bedroom set patent rocker, upholstered in
maroon and old gold trimmed with wine colored
satin occupies conspicuous place in corner OF
the BOOTH and receives its share of admiration Aside
from this the company exhibit several articles be.
longing to and the work of private parties Of which
will mention q beautiful patent rocker and foot
rest upholstered in black satin upon which peacock
feathers had been worked with the needle by Miss
Stephens; embroidered ottoman, representing
rusty wheat upon black satin background the
work of Miss A. Stork; an ottoman upholstered in
pink satin and old gold by Miss Gertie Gsllek The
upholstering work done by Marxy Gallck, who
learned his trade in the shop of the company. An
ottoman representing "Contented Pussy in raised
embroidery by Mrs. Harry g. Bredin Other articles
of lesser importance go toward giving finish to the
brief description of the origin of the Oregon Furni-
ture Manufacturing Company and the progress II
has made during these years IN order TO show what
enterprise and energy combined will do. 1t started
In small scale and gradually expanded and add
ed TO until to-day 1t stands a monument of pride
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