John Ainsworth Dunn
Encyclopedia
John Ainsworth Dunn was an American furniture maker.
He was the ninth child of John and Abigail (Jackson) Dunn. In 1837, his family moved to Petersham, Massachusetts
. He began what was to become his lifelong career in chair
manufacturing in 1852. He worked in a factory in East Gardner, Massachusetts. He learned the craft of chair making in three months.
"The business of chair-making was commenced on the location where the large and busy factory of John A. Dunn stood. In 1838 Elijah Putman brought the water privilege of Wm. S. Lynde, and constructed a dam, moved his shop there, supplying it with machinery, putting himself and men to work. Seven years later Mr. Putman sold out to Thorley Collester, Ruel G. Cowee and Benjamin H. Rugg, who continued the business under the firm-name of Cowee, Collester and Company for a short time. When Maro Collester and Edward Stevens retired and Franklin and George Eaton took their places, the firm was changed to Collester, Rugg and Eaton. When Mr. Collester died in 1862, Mr. Rugg and George Eaton left, and Nathaniel Holmes joined with Franklin Eaton forming Eaton and Holmes Co. In 1864 John A. Dunn was admitted to the firm, which then was called Eaton, Holmes and Company. Mr. Dunn was the "Company" part in the name. In 1875 Mr. Holmes sold his interest to Isaac J. Dunn, brother of John A. Dunn, and the firm became J.A & I.J. Dunn, under which business was carried on until 1886, when John A. Dunn brought his brother's share and conducted the enterprise on his own behalf." Heywood, William S. Gardner and Westminster Historical Sketches, pages 837-838.
A. Dunn was the sole owner of the business until 1902. On March 26, 1902 the Dunn chair factory was destroyed by fire. Mr. Dunn had a larger and fireproof brick factory
built, with all modern factory features. This was all done within a year; people who had worked at the factory before the fire were given their jobs back. The business was incorporated to the John A. Dunn Company, John A. Dunn, president, his son George A. Dunn, vice-president and another son Frank C. Dunn was secretary-treasurer. The manufacturing of the chairs was done at the plant in Gardner, Massachusetts
, but offices and warehouses were established in Chicago
, Boston
, and St. Paul; in addition to business going through those channels, the John A. Dunn Company supplied other chair manufacturers in large quantities both at home and abroad. Dunn lived to see his plant doing a business of $1,000,000 annually. His chairs were noted for their sturdy construction and durability. While most of his furniture was utilitarian in design he was especially proud of his Arts and Crafts
style furniture.
Dunn was very involved in the civic life of Gardner, Mass. In his will Dunn gave a valuable piece of property to the city of Gardner. This land was turned into a public park and the pond was named Dunn's Pond, which later became Dunn State Park
. Dunn was seen by the people of Gardner as a man of strong and marked personality who made the community conspicuous in the industrial and commercial world. He was a far sighted man with a clear head for business.
He was the ninth child of John and Abigail (Jackson) Dunn. In 1837, his family moved to Petersham, Massachusetts
Petersham, Massachusetts
Petersham is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 1,234 at the 2010 census. Petersham is home to a considerable amount of conservation land, including the Quabbin Reservation, Harvard Forest, the Swift River Reservation, and Federated Women's Club State...
. He began what was to become his lifelong career in chair
Chair
A chair is a stable, raised surface used to sit on, commonly for use by one person. Chairs are most often supported by four legs and have a back; however, a chair can have three legs or could have a different shape depending on the criteria of the chair specifications. A chair without a back or...
manufacturing in 1852. He worked in a factory in East Gardner, Massachusetts. He learned the craft of chair making in three months.
"The business of chair-making was commenced on the location where the large and busy factory of John A. Dunn stood. In 1838 Elijah Putman brought the water privilege of Wm. S. Lynde, and constructed a dam, moved his shop there, supplying it with machinery, putting himself and men to work. Seven years later Mr. Putman sold out to Thorley Collester, Ruel G. Cowee and Benjamin H. Rugg, who continued the business under the firm-name of Cowee, Collester and Company for a short time. When Maro Collester and Edward Stevens retired and Franklin and George Eaton took their places, the firm was changed to Collester, Rugg and Eaton. When Mr. Collester died in 1862, Mr. Rugg and George Eaton left, and Nathaniel Holmes joined with Franklin Eaton forming Eaton and Holmes Co. In 1864 John A. Dunn was admitted to the firm, which then was called Eaton, Holmes and Company. Mr. Dunn was the "Company" part in the name. In 1875 Mr. Holmes sold his interest to Isaac J. Dunn, brother of John A. Dunn, and the firm became J.A & I.J. Dunn, under which business was carried on until 1886, when John A. Dunn brought his brother's share and conducted the enterprise on his own behalf." Heywood, William S. Gardner and Westminster Historical Sketches, pages 837-838.
A. Dunn was the sole owner of the business until 1902. On March 26, 1902 the Dunn chair factory was destroyed by fire. Mr. Dunn had a larger and fireproof brick factory
Factory
A factory or manufacturing plant is an industrial building where laborers manufacture goods or supervise machines processing one product into another. Most modern factories have large warehouses or warehouse-like facilities that contain heavy equipment used for assembly line production...
built, with all modern factory features. This was all done within a year; people who had worked at the factory before the fire were given their jobs back. The business was incorporated to the John A. Dunn Company, John A. Dunn, president, his son George A. Dunn, vice-president and another son Frank C. Dunn was secretary-treasurer. The manufacturing of the chairs was done at the plant in Gardner, Massachusetts
Gardner, Massachusetts
Gardner, Massachusetts is a city in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 20,228 as of the 2010 census. Gardner is home to Dunn State Park, Gardner Heritage State Park, Lake Wampanoag Wildlife Sanctuary, and Mount Wachusett Community College.-History:Named in honor of...
, but offices and warehouses were established in Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
, Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
, and St. Paul; in addition to business going through those channels, the John A. Dunn Company supplied other chair manufacturers in large quantities both at home and abroad. Dunn lived to see his plant doing a business of $1,000,000 annually. His chairs were noted for their sturdy construction and durability. While most of his furniture was utilitarian in design he was especially proud of his Arts and Crafts
American Craftsman
The American Craftsman Style, or the American Arts and Crafts Movement, is an American domestic architectural, interior design, landscape design, applied arts, and decorative arts style and lifestyle philosophy that began in the last years of the 19th century. As a comprehensive design and art...
style furniture.
Dunn was very involved in the civic life of Gardner, Mass. In his will Dunn gave a valuable piece of property to the city of Gardner. This land was turned into a public park and the pond was named Dunn's Pond, which later became Dunn State Park
Dunn State Park
Dunn State Park is a Massachusetts state park located in Gardner. The park is managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation .-History:...
. Dunn was seen by the people of Gardner as a man of strong and marked personality who made the community conspicuous in the industrial and commercial world. He was a far sighted man with a clear head for business.