The text below comes from an auction site offering a Johnson swivel chair. I don’t remember a Benjamin…that must be Ole?. There also seem to be confusion between the Johnson Chair Company and the Ford and Johnson Chair company as I am unaware that the Johnson Chair Company ever had a plant in Tennessee. Although family lore says it was the Johnson Chair Company that supplied chairs to the US Senate, it seems that those chairs were actually supplied by Ford and Johnson. ej
history: The Johnson Chair Company (Of Chicago IL)- Andrew P. Johnson was born in Vos Bergenstift, Norway November 22, 1835- Born to John L. and Emily P. (Vinge) Jearager1850: The family changed their name when they moved to America and settled in Boone Co, Illinois- Andrew P. Johnson grew up on a farm and went to school till the age of 20.1871: Married Martha Satry- Had five children: Joseph F., Anna E., Arthur L., Benjamin O., and Ruth Isabel1855: Moved to Beloit, Wisconsin and learned carpentry trade1857-1861: Listed as a contractor in Beloit, Wisconsin1861: Moved to Chicago, Illinois1862: Enlisted in the Army, in the construction corps, and served until the end of the war.- Worked in the army at Nashville, Chattanooga, and Bridgeport among others.1865: Back in Chicago working as a contractor and carpenter1868: began manufacturing chairs on a small scale1877: took on business partner Nels. Johnson1883: Incorporated as A.P. Johnson & Co. but did business as Johnson Chair Co.1893: Listed as an official supplier for the rail road (according to Poor’s Dictionary) for office stools.1889-91: Was a representative of the 14th ward for the City Council of Chicago- Offices at 255 N. Green Street, Chicago, IL- Lived at 695 N. Robey Street, Chicago, IL1899: Made chairs for the US House and Senate1904: Furniture line was shown at The Furniture Exhibition Company at 1411 Michigan Avenue,Chicago, IL1905: Uses black laborers at his various factories1909: Opened new furniture plant in Morristown, Tennessee with the ability to produce about 300 chairs/day1918: Showed at the National Furniture Exchange of Chicago in July of that year.1939: Copyrights phrase “Selling helps for those who sell Johnson chairs.