William Herpolsheimer

William G. Herpolsheimer, one of the two founders of the business, was born at Karlsruhe, Prussia, in 1842, and was a son of Christian and Anna Herpolsheimer, he having been a boy at the time when the family came to the United States and his early education having been received principally in the public schools of Indiana. In 1855 he initiated his association with mercantile business by taking a clerical position in a dry goods store at New Carlisle, Indiana. He was not yet twenty years of age at the inception of the Civil War, but his youthful loyalty found prompt expression in enlisting in the One Hundred and Thirty-Eighth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, which became a part of the Army of the Tennessee and with which he served until the close of the war. In later years he manifested his continued interest in his old comrades by maintaining affiliation with the Grand Army of the Republic. After the close of the war Mr. Herpolsheimer engaged independently in the dry goods business at Michigan City, Indiana, and this review has already recorded his initial enterprise in the retail drygoods business in Grand Rapids in 1870. Honored alike for his large and worthy achievement and for his sterling attributes of character, Mr. Herpolsheimer was one of the veteran business men and influential citizens of Grand Rapids at the time of his death, February 24, 1920, a year that marked the fiftieth anniversary of becoming associated with the dry goods business. He had, however, retired from active business in 1902, and his son, Henry B. became his able successor in the executive control of the great business enterprise. The splendid Herpolsheimer store stands as a monument to this veteran merchant, who likewise found time during his busy and useful life to participate in many other commercial, industrial and financial enterprises. He was a director of the Grand Rapids National Bank from the time of its organization in 1880 until his death. He was stalwart Republican and was a zealous communicant and liberal supporter of Immanuel Lutheran church in his home city. In his will Mr. Herpolsheimer made bequests to each of those who had been in his employ three years or more. Concerning him the following appreciative estimate has been made: "He was among the men who exerted a strong influence in the life of Grand Rapids during the era of its greatest development, and his interest in any cause to which he attached himself was potent in making for the success of that cause." November 13, 1867, Mr. Herpolsheimer was united in marriage to Miss Amelia L. Bremer, daughter of the late Henry Bremer, of Grand Rapids. Mrs. Herpolsheimer died on April 27, 1925, at the age of 78 years. To this union were born four children: Henry B., William B., Anna and Ralph C.

William Widdicomb

President of Widdicomb Furniture Company

History[edit]

The company was founded in 1858 when George Widdicomb started a cabinet shop in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The company grew and, with twelve employees, moved to a new, larger location. His four sons went into business with him and the company was named George Widdicomb & Sons. All four sons would serve in the American Civil War. The company dissolved in 1863, while all four sons were enlisted.^[1]

The oldest sons opened a small furniture shop in 1864, with the other two brothers joining them around when the war ended. Brother George Widdicomb died in March, 1866. In 1868 the store had grown considerably and was moved to a new location in Grand Rapids. They had 25 employees. T.F. Richards came into business with the sons on January 1, 1869. They renamed the business Widdicomb Bros. & Richards. They built a larger building and had a capital of $12,000. They formed the Widdicomb Furniture Company on December 1, 1873. Eventually capital would reach $380,000. They had a new building and approximately 150 employees in 1871. At that time, Widdicomb Furniture Company as known for their spindle bed frames. William Widdicomb, who served as President, retired from the company in 1883.^[1]