Image from 1927 Kling literature

Kling Factories was founded in May 1911 when John A. Kling, an immigrant from Sweden purchased the bankrupt Chautauqua Spring Bed & Lounge Company in Mayville, New York and renamed it the  Chautauqua Cabinet Company.  John Kling immigrated at age 17 to Jamestown, New York in 1885 and worked in several furniture factories in the area as a cabinet maker, cabinet room foreman and plant superintendent before getting the opportunity to own his own business. 

By 1928, John Kling had purchased four additional factories in Chautauqua County, New York and the company was reorganized as the Kling Factories.  These additions were The Frewsburg Furniture Company in Frewburg New York, The Herrick Manufacturing Company in Falconer New York, The Brocton Furniture Company and the Crandall Panel Company in Brocton, New York. 

In just seventeen years, John Kling built up the organization to sales of approximately $3 million in 1928.  His idea to have each of the company plants specialize in a particular furniture style would make Kling Factories one of the nation's largest volume producers of bedroom furniture.  The 1929 stock market crash and the ensuing great depression hit furniture manufacturers hard.  In the depth of the depression in 1933, Kling Factories sales were reduced to $1.5 million due to price deflation and lower volume, but the company was marginally profitable. 

In 1934, John A. Kling passed leaving the responsibility of managing the company to his sons Arvid (President) and Denold (Vice President).  Arvid had considerable experience in the furniture business due to the fact he began working in the factory in 1911 at age 19 and rose to become national sales manager.  Denold, the younger brother,had also been with the company since 1922.  

Through sound business management, including the introduction of more affordable lines of furniture, the two brothers brought the company through the depression while many Jamestown area furniture companies went bankrupt. Kling Factories continued to introduce new lines of furniture and business was strong enough to justify an addition to the Mayville plant in 1933.  During WWII, the company produced a utilitarian style of bedroom furnitre for the United States government.

The period from 1947 to 1960 represents the peak of the Kling Factories in volume and quality reputation. Like many post war venturesthecompany took off nationally andwas aided by advertising inmagazines such as House Beautiful and Better Homes & Gardens.  In 1955, Arvid Kling retired and his brother, Denold took over as president.  Denold's four sons entered the family business and were assigned to responsible management positions. The company continued to expand its lines into the early 1960s.

In 1961, Denold Kling passed.  Kling Factories was sold in April 1962 to the Baumritter Corporation which later became Ethan Allen Furniture.  For several years Ethan Allen featured "Kling Colonial" products though eventually phased out the Kling name.

Kling Factories was a 51-year family business success story.   Itis also an example of how  the hardwork, dedication and special skills of European immigrants contributed to the dynamic and prosperous nature of the U.S. economy in the 20th century.

The original factory was operated by Ethan Allen until it closed in 2003.

The Kling Factories Plant Float

July 4th Parade

Mayville, New York

Circa 1940