In 1886, Frederick A. Dennett and his partner George B. Mattoon originally founded a chair manufacturing company in Sheboygan, WI.

Surviving its first financially difficult years, the Chair company suffered its worst blow in 1899 when it was totally leveled by fire.

The company showed its resiliency by immediately rebuilding, and for many years remained the backbone of Port Washington's economy.

The incredible success story eventually ended as sales and profits became smaller and production slowed down.

The Great Depression ultimately ended all phonograph and record production for the Wisconsin Chair Company.

[5] The company almost failed during the Depression, surviving in part by limiting mass production and instead producing craft pieces for the luxury market.