Expert: Eileen Cronk - 4/2/2008

Question
QUESTION: IHAVE A DINING SET THAT IS A DINING TABLE,A BUFFET,ALSO A CHINA CABINET MADE BY R-WAY NORTHERN FURNITURE COMPANY. I DO KNOW GEORGE MATTOON FOUNDED THE COMPANY IN THE 1800'S THE ONLY THING IS MY FURNITURE BELONGED TO MY GRANDPARENTS THERE IS NO DATE ON THE FURNITURE JUST THE NAME OF THE COMPANY.I JUST NEED TO KNOW HOW LONG WAS THIS COMPANY IN BUSINESS SO I COULD GET SOME IDEA HOW OLD THIS IS .

ANSWER: Hi Pam
Nice to hear from you.

It appears Pam that the "r-ray" in the name did not come about until 1949 so we can safely say your set was made after that.
I also remember reading somewhere that the company closed in 1960...that pretty well dates your set I think.
Found this info for you.

Northern Furniture Company

Furniture with the Northern Furniture Company brand name was manufactured in Sheboygan between the years 1904 and 1949. The company was originally founded by George B. Mattoon in 1881. The plant grew from a modest start until by 1900 it covered twelve acres and employed some 800 workers. This enterprise was known as the Mattoon Manufacturing Company until the founder's death in 1904. The name was then changed to the Northern Furniture Company. In 1916 the firm was bought by the Reiss interests (of the C. Reiss Coal Company, a prominent name in Wisconsin). The company continued to manufacture tables, desks, bookcases and buffets apparently through 1949. At that time the name was changed to R-Way Furniture.

Hope this helps
Regards
Eileen



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF YOU WOULD KNOW ANY APPRAISERS IN MY AREA THAT WOULD DO A HOME APPRAISAL I KNOW THAT I HAVE TO PAY FOR THAT,THIS IS O-KAY I CANT SEEM TO FIND ONE IF YOU COULD HELP ME I WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE THIS THANKYOU.

Answer
Hi Again Pam
You did not mention where you live but here is the only list I have with appraisal services.
http://antiquerestorers.com/NEW/APPRAISALS_antique__art.htm#APPRAISALS,%20ANTIQU
Perhaps a query to Fred Taylor who is our American furniture expert may be in order.
Fred is on the same page you found me.
Good Luck with this
Kindest Regards
Eileen