W. W. Strong Furniture Co.

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W. W. Strong Furniture Co., B. F. Greene & Co.
Life Span: 1873-TBD
Location: 266 and 268 Wabash, between Jackson and Van Buren
Architect:

Edwards’ Annual Directory in the City of Chicago, for 1873

Strong W. W. Furniture Co.

Lakeside Annual Directory of the City of Chicago, 1874
Strong W. W. Furniture Co., W. W. Strong, pres. and J. H. Thayer, sec; 195 and 197 Wabash

Chicago Tribune, May 5, 1872

A New Organization,
The W. W. Strong Furniture Company, successors to W.W. Strong. W.W. Strong, President;
L. G. Fairbank, Superintendent; J. H. Thayer, Secretary; Directors, W. W. Strong, F. F. Strong, T. A. French, L. G. Fairbank, J. H. Thayer. This organization was effected April 1, 1872, giving Messrs. Fairbank, Thayer, Strong, and French a direct interest in the business, all of whom are well and favorably known to the public as having had the management of the establishment, in their several departments, for a number of years past. The manufacturing facilities and stock have recently been largely increased to meet the wants of the trade in first-class furniture, office-desks, and counting-room fixtures, with many new designs and patterns that are unsurpassed in any section of the country. Manufactory and warerooms are located at 353 to 359 West Randolph street; branch store on the corner of Wabash avenue and Twenty-second street. Mr. French, acting as the manager of the South Bide branch, will not be forgotten by his numerous friends in that part of the city.

Chicago Tribune, October 9, 1872

W. W. Strong Furniture Co.
The origin of this house dates back to 1855, in which year Messrs. Shearer, Paine & Strong formed & copartnership for the manufacture and sale of e better class of furniture than usually find its way into this market. In 1859 Mr. M. W. Strong succeeded to the business of that firm, and conducted it very successfully at his well known establishment on Randolph street till one year ago. In common with a great many others, Mr. Strong was so bare of stock on the 9th of October that he had nothing to sell. His lass was $143,000, on which he only recovered about $27,000 insurance.

Mr. Strong was absent in Mississippi at the time of the fire. He arrived here one week afterwards, and the same day set his hands to work in constructing a shanty 75×100 feet in ground area, on the lot now occupied by the company, and commenced to sell goods in three weeks from the date of the calamity. He then contracted for the construction of a brick factory on the same site, and soon afterwards leased a room on Twenty-second street, near Wabash avenue, in which to do business. In April last he contracted w.th Mr. W. A. Gies to occupy the main part of the fine building being erected by that gentleman at Nos, 266 and 268 Wabash avenue, will remove thither within o day or two.

A stock company has recently been formed under the title of “The W. W. Strong Furniture Company,” with ample capital, in which Mr. S. retains a leading interest; but the business will be conducted by his associates, Messrs. Thayer, Fairbanks, French and F. F. Strong, on the same liberal scale as that which the public had already learned to appreciate in the house, They will manufacture furniture that is not merely made to sell, but to use, and to please in the using, and will pay especial attention to fine upholstery work, a matter which is really but little understood in the West. Their new ware room (266 and 268 Wabash) having a frontage of fifty-one feet by a depth of 170 feet, will enable them to make a proper display of their goods, as prepared by a large number of efficient workmen, and enable the public to institute intelligent comparisons with regard to price and quality.

The Land Owner, January, 1873

OUR HOME INDUSTRIES.-THE W. W. STRONG FURNITURE CO.
(See Illustration, page 13.)
Our artist this month has taken a departure from the stately fascades of new buildings, the grouping of columns and the details of cornices, and entered one of our business palaces, where he has found material worthy of his pencil, and subject matter which must interest all our readers.

As you pass along Wabash avenue, you are attracted by the novel signs of the W. W. Strong Furniture Co., at Nos. 266 and 268, of that popular thoroughfare. This is one of the oldest and largest furniture establishments in the city, the business having been established here many years ago by Wm. W. Strong, Esq., one of our oldest citizens. In April last the business had grown to such of proportions, that the concern was incorporated into a stock company. Before the fire en- the business was carried on at 203 Randolph street, and immediately after the October conflagration it was re-established at 353 to 359 West Randolph street, the factory there having been constructed in four weeks. The elegant store on Wabash avenue was occupied some months since, as soon as the building was completed.

In his sketches our artist has confined himself to the main salesroom, which, as will be seen by the illustration, is the largest and best adapted to the business of any in the city. This superb salon is entered from a smaller salesroom on the ground floor, by a broad and easy flight of stairs, or by the elevator. The large windows in the front and rear, and skylights in the centre, render all parts of it attractive during the day, while at the grand openings the chandeliers produce a dazzling effect. The room contains probably the most elaborate and costly stock of fashionable furniture ever displayed in Chicago. The various styles can be seen in the engraving, especial care having been taken in their accurate delineation. Here is chamber furniture in black walnut, mahogany, rosewood, chestnut ash, birdseye maple, with gilt, ebony, moulding, marquetry, bronze and porcelain trimmings, lounges, box ottomans, easy chairs, dressing chairs, toilet chairs, in modern styles, covered with cretonnes, satins, cashmeres and tapestries. Divans, couches, Turkish chairs, ladies’ chairs, conversational chairs, reception chairs, gilt chairs, be’ be’ chairs, straw seat chairs, Persian chairs, window chairs, taborettes, and ottomans, are strewed about in profusion. A specialty is made of upholstered work, in which this house excels, every articie being guaranteed. Here also are magnificent library sets, in leather, plush, tapestry, terry, wool, satines, etc., with rich library cases, and secretaries of many varieties, reading tables, card tables, etc. In this latter class of work, designs are furnished and estimates given. In dining room, hall and office furniure the stock is equally large and attractive. Mirrors and cornices are also here in endless variety, the stock being too extensive to note its different pieces and its unique designs.

Besides their own manufacturing, this company import largely from the Swiss, French, Viennese, Chinese and Japanese makers, and the room we illustrate is almost a museum of the mechanical skill of the different nations. The delicate inlaid work of the Swiss and Japanese will attract close attention.

Another feature of this establishment is their bedding, which deserves a passing note, as it forms so important a feature of the well-furnished home. Their goods in this line are prepared with extra care, but one quality of hair entering into its manufacture, and that the best quality of extra hard South American horse hair, always in the best tick. If Mr. Ruskin, whose teachings had the happiest of results upon the fashion of household furniture were here, he woyld find that even his studies of home comfort had been anticipated.

Above the room shown in the engraving are two floors crowded to repletion with the duplicate stocks. In the rear are the finishing and packing rooms, which are provided with everything necessary to the transaction of a large business. Steam elevators extend through the entire building, which is thoroughly heated by steam.

It is the intention of this company to erect another large factory next season, which increasing trade will demand. The reputation built up by Mr. Strong is being carefully watched and extended by the company bearing his name.

Of the W. W. Strong Furniture Company, W. W. Strong is President, L. G. Fairbank, Superintendent, J. H. Thayer, secretary, with whom are associated T. A. French and F. F. Strong.

Our Home Industries.

Chicago Tribune, April 16, 1879

W. W. STRONG.
Suspension of the Furniture Company.
Last Monday the W. W. Strong Furniture Company notified every person holding their paper or having an account against the Company that they desired to call a meeting of creditors on Tuesday, the 22d inst., at 84 and 86 LaSalle street, for the purpose of deciding whether they should obtain an extension and go on in business, or whether they should suspend. The parties interested were very secret in their operations, not wishing to give undue publicity to the fact, but yesterday it leaked out, and it at once became the duty of a reporter to inquire into the circumstances for the benefit of all creation.

The liabilities of the company are said to be $23,000 secured, and $14,000 more unsecured. The assets are composed of the stock and accounts, ranging from $28,000 to $30,000, or about $20,000 in stock and about $8,000 in accounts.

The cause given for this financial embarrassment is a depreciation in stocks and want of business. The firm have been getting weaker and weaker since the panic. They were an old
establishment; they had been in the habit of keeping the very best quality of furniture; the hard times came on; everybody felt poor, and bought cheap furniture; the Company found it impossible to put their quality of goods against the cheap quality and compete with any success, and consequently this result.

The above were the reasons assigned by persons who were supposed to know something about the matter. But there appeared to be an underlying something which bad precipitated the misfortune, and the reporter sought in vain to get at the bottom of the matter.

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