The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-08-24
CATAWBA FUR
NITURE CO.


1t is quite probable that there is no
other industrial institution III the Wnole
Southland that is serving more TO place
it's State upon the commercral map ol
nations than is the Catawba FURNITURE
Co. of Marion y. G. For the extent OF IT'S
business. the admitted excellence OF its
products and the completeness OF us
pauipment there lis no similar lnstltu-
tion or firm which stands III a more
nrominent position than the Catawba
Furniture Company. This large fac
torv from its inception in 1896, became
y potent factor to the manufacturing IN
tnrests of the South, and its able man
agement has contributed in no small de-
gree to the wave of manufacturing de-
yelopment which has swept over TINS
section of the country, while ITS Widen
ing scope of operation is daily giving Il
new impetus to industrial endeaVofS
throughout the entire Southland.
On behalf of Mr.. i. IF. Wren the
manager Of this mammoth enterprise, IL
is hardly necessary to say that he Is
widely known not only throughout
North Carolina, but throughout the en-
fire country. as one of the most enter
prisimg and progressive furniture manu-
facturcrs I'm the country. There Is
scarcely large jobbing firm in this line
doing business from Mississippi to the
New England States but what have
had some dealings with this company.
and we venture to say there is no conf
pany doing business in the State whose
policy commands more respect or a bet
ter feeling ON the part Of its customers
than does the Catawba Manufacturing
Company. This Company espe-
cially prides itself on always
making the lowest possible pnces,
handling the best goods in thelf
line. and always making shipments WIN
that degree of promptness that causes
the trade to stay after orders have once
been placed with them. The plant u
one of the largest i'll the country, ana
is confined exclusively to the manufac-
ture Of medium and cheap furniture.
the aim being TO manufacture only nfSt
class goods Of the kind, and the outpnt
annually is very large, the capacity OF
the plant being $4,000 worth of pro
duets annually.
This factory was established IN 1870
but prior to this date Mr.. Wren was
engaged in the same business at High
Point, hut seeing the advantages held
out by this section of the state 50 TAR
as timber. etc, is concerned. ne was
quick to take advantage thereof. hence
the removal This company also ems
lows advantages in freight rates, etc,
that other factories do not. being ON the
line of two railroads, and can Toad fur
niture at the door. hence offer low rates
and prices in accordance.
The plant is located in the eastern
S,Cf
buildings. The machine room is a COM
modious two-Story structure SOXloO
feet. 1t is equipped with the latest I'M
proved machinery, the most complete
set of any furniture factory in the State.
The second floor is used for putting the
furniture together The building used
for furnishing and packing is three
stories high and 60Xl00 feet in size.
The storage building is a three-story
structure 40xS0 feet.
In the conduct Of the business en-
poyment is given to seyenty-tiye peo-
pie, with n pay roll of from Sl.0OO TO
81 200 per month. 1t is essentially a
home enterprise. and operated with
home capital 1t may readily he seen
how such am institution adds materially
to the growth and prosperity of the sec
IloI III W IltCH u - loCatSds IutLih- Aito
circulation as ii does some $4,000 per
annum.
The company sells to the wholesale
trade and are represented on the road
by corps of travelling men. The chief
output is chamber suites. hedSteads, bu-
reaus, waSh-stands, chiffoniers, dressing
cases and wardrobes, etc, all of which
find ready sale all over the country,
from Mississippi to the New England
States. and the goods have given univer-
sal satisfaction; in fact no similar line
of goods ON the market have been bet
ter received.
The plant is located in the heart of
the best timbered in the State
and all told the Catawba Fur
niture Company is an enterprise that
any city might feel proud to have in its
midst.
Mr.. Wren, the enterprising manager,
was born in Randolph county in 1861,
and when II years of age went to High
Point and secured employment as q
clerk. In 1888 he and his brother en-
gagged in the mercantile business on q
small scale and the business grew grad
ually until it became the largest in the
town. In 1889 Mr.. Wren sold his in
terest in the store and went into the
furniture business He was one of the
three pioneer furniture manufacturers
of High Point. Was secretary andI
treasurer of the High Point Furniture
Company and h5}d this position until
establishing his present business at Ma
riOn.