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Catalog Number
2021.18.61
Description
Letter sent to the West Michigan Furniture Company expressing condolences on the death of Charles Kirchen on 4-27-1951.
History
Charles Kirchen was born in Houghton, MI on 5-3-1876 to John P. Kirchen and Augusta Haefer. Charles married Marguerite E. Hummer (1888-1971) in Grand Rapids, MI on 6-20-1912.

From 1921 to 1940 they lived in Holland, MI at 162 West 12th Street. By 1942 they had moved into their new home at 1081 Ottawa Beach Road in Park Township. Charles passed away on 4-27-1951 in Holland, MI.

Charles was the 2nd president of the West Michigan Furniture Company.


The West Michigan Furniture Company (WMFC) began operating on west 8th Street (the former site of the Plugger Mills) in Holland, MI in 1889. The articles of incorporation were executed that November with the board of directors as follows: President, D. Kruidenier; Vice President, Frederick Metz; Secretary and Treasurer, George P. Hummer; and other directors, F.W. Hadden, Jacob Schepers, and E.W. Richmond.

Shipments easily moved to and from the factory by close proximity to both rail and water transportation. The furniture company originally employed around 100 workers who produced bedroom suites in maple, ash, and oak. After World War I they also produced phonograph cabinets. With the advent of World War II, the company switched to producing bunk beds and other products for the United States Army.
After the war, WMFC continued to create more contemporary styles using kiln dried solids, exotic wood veneers, rich lacquer finishes, and cane and metal accents.

From about 1955-1976, Wayne R. "Fitz" Fitzgerald was president and general manager of West Michigan Furniture. The Louis Padnos Iron and Metal Co. purchased the West Michigan Furniture Company in 1976 from the Kirchen family. At this time, Mitchell W. Padnos became executive vice president of West Michigan Furniture Company. Doug Padnos was national sales manager and tried to revitalize the company, even though most furniture manufacturers were heading south to North Carolina at the time.

West Michigan Furniture Company was sold to Mueller Furniture Corporation of Grand Rapids on June 1, 1984. Mueller manufactures contract products; all residential furniture manufacture ceased on this date.


Gift of
Robert Fitzgerald, Jr. & Melinda Fitzgerald Bauman in loving memory of their mother Peggy Kirchen Fitzgerald