The Orange Furniture Company

(Adapted from “Picturesque Franklin” , Wade, Warner & Co. , Northampton MA 1891
This publication was a “snap shot” of Franklin County businesses and industries as of 1891. This original article will not include the history which occurred afterwards, unless noted by the museum editor.)

Among the prominent industries of Orange is the manufacture of furniture as carried on by the Orange Furniture company.

This firm was organized about ten years ago. The factory is located directly on the Fitchburg railroad; there being a spur track connected with it. For operative power they are supplied with both water and steam. When first started this concern manufactured pine chamber suites exclusively, but for the past few years the different kinds of hard wood have been principally used. Many modern improvements have been recently made, among which is a system of fans and pipes, so that the sawdust, shavings, etc., are carried directly from the different machines to the fire box of the boiler. This disposal of the refuse material is not only economical, but adds greatly to the comfort of the workmen. The present capacity of the works is now two car loads of chamber suites per week, or about seventy thousand suites annually. This is in addition to the manufacture of many wardrobes, chiffoniers, kitchen closets, etc. These goods are sold mostly in car load lots throughout New England and New York.

The company has a reputation second to none as to first class work and quality of material. The officers are: President, J. S. Dewing; treasurer, F. E. Lord; secretary and agent, H. H. Whitney.