While shopping around a couple of antique stores in Lebanon, OH this weekend, I ran across this book placed on the bottom shelf of a bookcase in the back corner of the store. The book was “The Furniture Makers of Cincinnati 1790 to 1849” and it intrigued me since it was something that I was looking for a while. I have always known that back in the earlier 1800’s Cincinnati was the epicenter of the furniture industry, but I knew very little about any of the makers or furniture from that time.
The writer of the book Jane E. Sikes, who I can only imagine was Richard Gere’s mom, was a native Cincinnatian who held degrees from Bennett College and the University of Cincinnati. She researched and documented hundreds of cabinet makers, chair makers and turners during the earlier part of the 19th century and included their name, location, and year or years in which they operated in alphabetical order. She also wrote about the furniture industry in Cincinnati and the artisans who helped carve its future. If you’re from Cincinnati and would like to read the book yourself, you can buy a used copy on Amazon. http://www.amazon.com/Furniture-Makers-Cincinnati-1790-1849/dp/B002H2TIDE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1376267859&sr=8-1&keywords=the+furniture+makers+of+cincinnati
During the earlier 1800’s, Cincinnati was the fifth largest city in the US and the largest in the West. Steamboats carried goods from the East and to New Orleans. Being a major port for travelers on the their way out west, Cincinnati flourished economically and by 1815, Cincinnati was exporting chairs and furniture out west, selling to the steamboat trade. Because of the expanding growth and the lush local forests, artisans from all over the world came to Cincinnati to help build the furniture that was in such heavy demand.
The book has a few pages of color plates showing furniture made in Cincinnati which is what I was really after. Being a furniture maker from Cincinnati, I’d like to pay homage to the furniture makers before me by incorporating some of their shared styles into my own designs. Anytime I watch the Antiques Roadshow on PBS, I hear the Keno brothers talk about the Philadelphia style or New York style of furniture, but never hear them speak of a Cincinnati style of furniture. Unfortunately, there doesn’t appear to be any singular design that stands out as a Cincinnatian form as Sikes wrote, “It is difficult to attribute particular characteristics to Ohio furniture in general and Cincinnati in particular. However, there are certain pieces which have descended lineally in certain families and we know that these shapes are definitely the kind of furniture made here in 1820 and 1830.” However, she doesn’t go into detail what those shapes or pieces were.
As far as the furniture industry in Cincinnati is concerned, unfortunately, the Great Flood of 1832 wiped out a lot of the furniture makers who worked and lived downtown. The river was so high that year that it was reported by William Henry Harrison that steamboats were travelling down city streets. Seven of the major chair makers were decimated as all of their tools and paint were washed away down stream. After the flood in 1834, the sudden outbreak of Asian Cholera only added to their woes when as many as 100 people died a day from the illness. Steamboats weary of traveling to Cincinnati in fears of spreading the disease bypassed the city thwarting once again the chair makers who depended on the steamboat trade. Most of them closed up shop and went onto other trades.
While examining the pictures, I think there are some similarities in the curves of the pieces that I can incorporate in my own designs in the future. Since I have lived in Cincinnati for nearly thirty years, it only makes sense to continue the proud history of furniture makers who came before me.
Page 20 has a picture of the Book of Prices of the United Society of Journeymen Cabinet Makers of Cincinnati for the Manufacture of Cabinet Ware in 1836. Books like these were legal contracts for helping unionize furniture making. Whether or not they were adhered to is anyones guess.
One of the neatest furniture makers Sikes researched was an African-American man named Henry Boyd who was born into slavery in Kentucky on May 14, 1802 and then bought his freedom at the age of eighteen. He set up shop in Cincinnati and sold his furniture to people all over the South and Southwest. He began working in 1830 and by 1850 he employed 20 cabinet makers making beds for hotels. Some of his furniture can still be seen today at the Golden Lamb Inn, the oldest hotel and restaurant in Ohio in the city of Lebanon, just two doors down from where I bought the book. I have never eaten at the Golden Lamb but I’ve heard good things about the place. Looks like I’ll have to take my wife there soon and check out some of his furniture if possible. The Cincinnati Enquirer wrote an article about Henry Boyd a few years back. http://www.enquirer.com/editions/1997/02/21/loc_blackhistory.html
Somebody who owned the book before me was doing some research as there were still a couple of hand written notes tucked inside. This is definitely a great book that I will own for a long time. Maybe I’ll add my own notes to the book someday doing research on some Cincinnati furniture makers.
MVFlaim Furnituremaker 
Bought a walnut dresser, stamped Mesder and Co. Furniture manufactures , ? Front Street, Cinncinnati, Ohio. Not sure about the word Mesder?? Can you tell me the time period of the piece or is this company listed in the book? Thanks Wanda
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I found David Medsker –1829 with no address listed. I also found Louis Menser 1839-1840 Cabinetmaker from Germany who was located on Vine and Race. No Mesder and Co was in the book. Thanks
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Meader furniture Cincinnati 1840-1905. Appear to have used mainly walnut. We just found a nice little 3 drawer chest the drawer is joined with a scallop and peg design – so pretty!
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I bought an interesting gentlemen’s dresser. I can’t seem to find any information on the maker. The hallmark is a gold oval with the initials SBC perhaps and is marked from Cincinnati. Any information you can pass on?
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I looked through the book to see if any cabinetmaker had the name that would fit the initials of SBC. Unfortunately I couldn’t find any mentioned. Thanks
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I have worn the internet out. I have my great great grandmothers bedroom suit stamped Smith and hawley furniture makers. 136 and 138 west second street. Cincinatti Ohio. All I have found was an add in a newspaper, and it took forever to find that! Do you have any info on them?
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The book list them as cabinetmakers 1845-1850. Now you know how old bedroom set is.
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I just bought a Chifferobe that says 5th & elm st cincinnati, ohio. Any info about any furniture makers that used to be on 5th & elm?
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There were a lot of cabinetmakers who were on 5th and a lot who were on Elm. The closest thing I found in the book is a furniture store called Elihu Greene that was located on 5th between Race & Elm. Maybe it is from the furniture store that stamped the furniture they sold? Hope I helped.
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I am in the process of restoring a small, freestanding shaving stand made of quarter sawn oak. On the underside of one of the drawers is the left half of a red, oval label. What I can read is “HENS***” in the center. There are two rows beneath that; the first one says “1017 to 103***” and the bottom says “Cincin****”. Stamped into the back of the top is “L029”. Having grown up in Cincinnati, I’d love to know more about the company it came from, but I haven’t had much luck tracking down information. Does that ring any bells? Thanks!
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More likely George Henshaw furniture factory 1844-1881. George Henshaw came from England in 1844 making elegant furniture that was popular in England. The Henshaw family continued to make furniture through the Civil War but fell on hard times since mist of the furniture they made was for the South. After the Civil War they decided to manufacture only chairs. The company continued all the way into the 1940’s.
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Wow, what a find you have! I have a most interesting table that belonged to my grandmother. It has a small plate on it that reads, “the Cin Cabinet Co, Cincinnati O, patented May 5, 1885” on it. Any idea where I might be able to find out about this critter? I wouldn’t know where to begin to describe it, but I have pictures. Thanks for any info you might be able to provide!
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Do you happen to know anything about the “Rose” family of cabinet makers from the greater Cinti area in the 1800s?
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The book only mentions an Abraham Rose 1836-1837 cabinetmaker on Race street between 2nd and 3rd.
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I recently bought an antique kitchen chair with the initials SBC and there was a brass plate on the back with the number 10 stamped on it. does anyone know what either of those markings mean?
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I own a 4 drawer dresser stamped 1840.OH on back. purchased used 20 yrs. ago along with a Duncan Phyfe table and chairs. They belonged to the girls grandmother at one time. Would like to learn more about it.
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No sorry. There were tons of furniture makers in Cincinnati in the 1800’s as Cincy was the gateway to the West. A lot of furniture was made here and shipped down the Ohio river to New Orleans on barges. These pieces were often no frills work mules, so a lot of them were not signed.
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My 4 drawer dresser is stamped 1840.CH i bought used in Cinti. 20 years ago. any idea who made it?
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No sorry. There were tons of furniture makers in Cincinnati in the 1800’s as Cincy was the gateway to the West. A lot of furniture was made here and shipped down the Ohio river to New Orleans on barges. These pieces were often no frills work mules, so a lot of them were not signed.
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He was a Master furniture maker
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Looking for info on piece of furniture, was in price family made in Cincinnati ohio johnston and unreadable 41-43 south second st, comany ended in 1820s, any info would be greatly appreciated, thanks
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I just purchased a 4 drawer dresser with the stamp that reads “Walter, Manufacturer Cincinnati…. any info would be fantastic! Thank you!!
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Joseph Walter 1831-1850
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Did any of the craftsmen sign their pieces with a symbol that looks like a Capital letter H bisected by what looks like a batton.
This is carved into a shield on a hand carved mantle that came out of an 1800’s log cabin in Hillsboro, OH.
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my book doesn’t show branding. It just names the makers. Sorry.
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I have a rocking chair, with the rocker panels mounted on a straight piece of wood, held together with a heavy spring. Plate on the bottom reads pat. Jan 19, 1875, reissued Jan 13, 1880 to Striet & Sonnit, Cin. Ohio. Any insight on the chair?
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No mention of them in the book. Sorry.
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I have a H. Boyd Walnut Tister bed that is in excellent condition. It has all 4 post legs with H.Boyd Cin,Ohio on all. It is a rope bed with all roping post intac. I am in transition to moving from Borden.Indiana to St.Petersburg, Florida several pices of high quality antique furniture. I am very much interested in selling the bed to some one that will give it a good home.If you would kmow of any one interested in pirchasing this bed, I would greatly like to hear from them. I would also ,if possible what the valuemight also be.
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No idea how much a Boyd piece would be worth. There are some of his pieces at the Golden Lamb in Lebanon, OH. They may have an idea how valuable his furniture is.
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Wondering if you know this article mentions the paper found in the book. Looks like it says Walter & someone? Bureau manufactured Cincinnati. Who was his partner? I have a piece and can’t read the second name and it matches the note found in the book. I would love to know more. Thank you
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I am the curator of the Gov. Joseph Duncan Mansion in Jacksonville, IL. We were just donated a sideboard from the 1840’s. It appears with the “Mitchell & Ha___thi Sherg Mak___s, 99 W4 M & Cog of 2nd John, Cincinnati, Ohio” on the inside of the middle door ( as best I can read with my bifocals). There is a scrap of paper covering some of the letters. It has burled insets on the front of its three drawers, and ornate carvings on the doors. Can you provide any information from this for a maker? The wood appears to be walnut. Thank you in advance for your efforts.
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possibly Robert Mitchell an Irish born cabinetmaker 1811-1899. He was a prominent cabinetmaker who partnered Robert Moore. No mention of the other characters you mention. Thanks
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they were also chair makers which is what Sherg Mak_s probably reads
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I have a bedroom set, with marble topped oval table, wash stand, mirrored dresser, and bed with ~9 foot headboard, circa mid-1800’s Cincinnati. Stenciled on back of the headboard is:
Queen City Furniture Company.
Retail Wareroom; No. 138 W Second St;
Factory; 170 & 172 W. Pearl St. Cincinnati, O
Any further info about this company?
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I just checked. No Queen City in the book. sorry
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I hope you are still managing this post. I have an antique marble top dresser with a high single mirror made by ” A C Richards, No 12 E. Fourth Street, Cincinnati.O”. Does your book have any info on them?
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book says he was a cabinetmaker 1846- 1850
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I just received my grandfathers antique tandem teachers school desk. It has a metal inkwell that I think is inscribed J. C. Brooks Cinti. O.. Do you know anything about it.
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No Brooks listed in the book. Sorry
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I just purchased a kitchen table with five leaves in it made of oak with a tag on the bottom stating A Nielsen and Co. Cincinnati, Ohio. Would like to know the age of the table but can not seem to find information on the company. Any ideas?
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no A Nielsen found in the book. Pieve must be newer than 1850.
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A. Nielen Co. was located on Fourth Street. The company sold retail furniture. They did not manufacture furniture.
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Hi. I just purchased a blonde chair that folds up with a sticker on the back that looks like Strah or Stral, Cincinatti, Ohio. Any info? Thx!
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No mention of Strah or Stral in the book. Your piece must be newer than 1849. Thanks
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So glad you have kept up with this post my wife and I recently purchased a hat/umbrella stand and the only markings on it are in the umbrella pans that read S.F.CO.CIN.O and that is all. From what we have been able to gather is that it came from a train station. Anything would be great thanks again!
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The only cabinetmaker listed in the book with S F initials is Samuel Forbes, a cabinetmaker from New York who boarded at Lafayette House from 1839-40. Thanks
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My great great grandfather was Joseph Ringemann. He was was a furniture manufacturer in Cincinnati. He was a Partner? with Henry Voelker. The 1890-1891 Cincinnati city directory listed his location as the corner of Court and McLean Ave. The company name was the Continental Cabinet Co. Joseph was the President and Treasurer, Secretary of Manufacturers of Artistic Furniture. We have 2 pieces of furniture. Does your book have any information on Joseph or the Company? Thanks
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Sorry I miss read the title of the book, I thought it was until 1894 did not realize it was 1849 until I after I asked my question. But if you have any information from other sources I would appreciate the information. Thanks
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Nope not in the book. I saw a book from Sikes in an antique mall that was about “Furniture Makers in Ohio from 1849- 1950”. Your family’s shop is probably in that one.
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If you are still monitoring this site I’m hoping you might help me out with a piece made by George Crenshaw & Sons. It is I believe, a solid cherry drop leaf DR table. On one side it appears to be branded into the wood “Henshaw & Sons Manufacturers” with a Walnut Street address. Some research I did traced the various names of the company before and after his death but am having trouble actually dating this beauty. I’m certainly happy to send some pix to help out if you like, and I’d GREATLY appreciate ANY info you might be able to provide: approx date of production, type of wood, if you are familiar with any other similar pieces as I’m also trying to come up with an insurance valuation as I don’t know if it’s a $200 table or $2000!
Many thanks,
J
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Henshaw is in the book. George Henshaw Sr immigrated from England in 1844 to work for Andrew McAlpin. In 1847 the Henshaws produced a very elegant lounge which had been popular in England. In 1854 they were selling wholesale and their trade extended as far away as Texas. George died in 1881and his son continued working until 1911. At the end of the Civil War the Henshaws decided to only make chairs. By 1888 they were selling as many as 12000 chairs to BJ Montgomery of New Orleans. By 1902 the company was worth $200,000. The company operated until 1940 and was always a prominent company in Cincinnati.
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where was Jeremy Longford’s furniture company located in Cincinnati, Ohio? Around 1870’s to 1890.
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Don’t know. Book stops at 1849.
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Where was Longford’s furniture company located in Cincinnati Ohio in the 1870’s. How long was this company in business and what types of furniture were they noted for?
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Don’t know. Book only goes to 1849.
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Thank you for your help!!!!!!
Will
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I have a bureau with name stamped Walter & Meader – Cincinnati
you mentioned above a Joseph Walter 1831-1850
I can find a lot on Meader furniture (113 W 4th St Cincinnati) 1844-1905 but nothing yet on the 2 being together.
could they have been partners from 1844-1850?
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Yes they were. For a few years they worked together and then Walter eased out of business with Meader in 1848 according to the book.
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Have a beautiful solid (no veneers!) mahogany chest of drawers/dresser with a pencil hand-signed name on the bottom of one of the drawers that seems to read either “Leo” or perhaps “Geo” (short for George?) “G. Fentig, 12877”
Any ideas on that?
Thanks
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No. Nothing in the book like that.
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Do you happen to know anything about the Puttmann & Roberts cabinet makers from the greater Cinti area in the 1800s?
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Not in the book
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I have a set of chairs that have been in the family a long time. Trying to find out who made them.
They have a plate that has 3 lines that are only partially legible
PATDECXXXX 1872
H. CLOXXXXXX
Cincinnati
Thanks
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Henry Clausterman 1849-1915 chairmaker who employed 70 craftsmen. One of the longest career of any Cincinnati chairmaker. Possiblty closed due to WWI.
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Hello! I have 4 windsor low back chairs that are marked “The Hales Company Furniture of Distinction Cincinnati”. You’d think with all of this information I easily be able to find anything but have come up dry. Is there anything in the book that talks about this group? I really appreciate any advice you can have!
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Hello! I have 4 low-back windsor chairs marked “The Hales Company Furniture of Distinction Cincinnati”. You’d think with all of that information, I’d be able to find some information, but I’m not finding anything! Any help on what these might go for and information on the company? Thank you so much!
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I have a pair of maple chairs marked “Backus Brothers Co. Cincinnati.” Any idea?
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Nope. Not in the book
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LOOKING FOR FURNATURE MADE BY THE MEADER FURNATURE COMPANY, A SLIGHTLY DISTAN RELATIVE. WOULD LIKE TO OBTAIN A PIECE.DARRELL L. MEADER deprato1@fuse.net I am aware of our name…Meader being on a building in Cincinnati ohio.
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Daniel F Meader cabinetmaker from Maryland. 1844 Meader Furniture Co was started in 1870 by the Meader family.
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Greetings! I am located in Columbia, South Carolina. I’m working on an appraisal of early American furniture, and one of the items is a Sheraton bowfront figured cherry chest-of-drawers. On the back of the piece is a signature that reads “Thos Cooper”… is he mentioned in the book that you have? The owners of the piece say that Cooper was an Ohio cabinetmaker. Thank you so much for your assistance. Columbia, SC
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Book says Thomas Cooper was a cabinetmaker between 1839- 1840.
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Thank you so much for your response, Betsy
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I have a beautiful 3 dresser bureau with Walter and Meader manufacturing warranted goods stamped on it. Also with O.W.J below it. What can you tell me about this piece?
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No info in book
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Our room set is stamped on the bottom and I can make out almost all of the writing. It is from Louis Hallman Co., 1819-1821 Central Ave., Cincinnati Ohio. The second letter in the name Hallman may be something else–Hillman or Hullman? Do you have any information on this furniture company?
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I came up with nothing with any of those names. Sorry
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My Great Great Great Grandmother was Susan Mitchell. Her brothers were cabinet makers around early 1800’s. They built a Cherry Secretary for her which i still have. Do you have information on them ?
Patrick Allen
Aiken SC
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John and Robert Mitchell are both listed in the book John Mitchell 1813 – 1895 born in Enniskillen, Ireland. Robert Mitchell 1811 – 1899. Also born in Enniskillen Ireland.
There is a three page write about Robert in the book which shows some his furniture as well as advertisements.
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Hello
I am looking for information on the B Klinker chair Co. of Cincinnati. Any reference to this company in the book.
Tom
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no Klinker in the book. sorry
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I have a mirrored hall tree with a flip up seat made of oak. There is a furniture maker’s tag tacked to the back that says “Modern Furniture Company. Manufacturers of Hall Racks, Hall Settees, and Hall Mirrors, 2232-38 Bogen Street, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA”
Can you provide me with any information? Thank you.
Bob
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I looked in the book and there’s no mention of Modern Furniture Makers so it must have been made after 1849. thanks
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