Bio: Karner, Fred – Wis. Furniture Mfg. Company in Neillsville

Transcriber: Steve Roberts steve@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Karmer

Source: Clark & Jackson Co. Trade Paper Sept 1905

The Wisconsin Furniture MFG. CO.
Manufacturers of Cheap, Medium, and High Grade Furniture
Neillsville, Wis.

This is the only furniture factory in Clark County, located in the north-western part of the city, near railway depot and Black River, where the premises cover an area of fifteen acres; also have their own railway siding connecting with C. St. P., M. & O. Ry.

The factory plant comprises one large building, 132x132, four stories, with dry kiln, engine, and boiler room and storage sheds adjoining, the dry kiln having a capacity of several thousand feet of lumber. The material used is all thoroughly kiln dried comprising oak, maple, birch, chestnut, etc. All floors of factory building are thoroughly operated by steam power, using a 250-horse power engine and two boilers of 80-horse power each; also lighted by electric lights and provided with good fire protection, while a force of from 90 to 100 hands are employed.

The productions comprise a full line of cheap and medium furniture, especially bedroom suites, sideboards, buffets, etc., having a capacity of forty bedroom suites and sideboards per day, which are made in all the late designs; also originated at factory in any new design required.

Shipments are made in car lots to all parts of the country, especially in the states of Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, North and South Dakota, Montana, Colorado, Oregon, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, Missouri and California, while eastern shipments are made to Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Virginia, Maryland and other states. Mail and long distance phone orders are received daily from all parts of the country, and are given prompt attention while the business is represented to the trade by a force of twelve traveling and experienced salesman, some of whom have been engaged with the company for many years.

The business was first established many years ago by other parties. The Wisconsin Furniture company succeeded to the control twelve years ago, and was previously incorporated in the state of Maryland, their headquarters being located at Baltimore, and having one of the largest factories in that city.

The business in Neillsville is under the management of Mr. Fred Karner who has had a lifelong experience in manufacturing furniture, having a wide acquaintance with the furniture trade throughout the country, and the output as a whole this season will be much larger than last year.