Erie J. Sauder
Erie J. Sauder (August 6, 1904 – June 29, 1997) was an American inventor and furniture-maker. He invented a knock-down table in 1951[2][3] and founded a company that produced ready-to-assemble furniture—one of the largest in the United States at the time of his death.[4]
Erie J. Sauder | |
---|---|
Born | [1] | August 6, 1904
Died | June 29, 1997 92)[1] Archbold, Ohio | (aged
Education | eighth grade |
Occupation(s) | Inventor, cabinetmaker, furniture manufacturer |
Spouses | Leona Short (m. 1927)Orlyss Short (m. 1976) |
Children | Three[1] |
Parent(s) | Daniel and Anne (Schrock) Sauder[1] |
Early life
Sauder was born in Archbold, Ohio,[2] to Daniel and Anne (Schrock) Sauder.[1] In 1927, he married Leona Short. He had only an eighth grade education[4] and was a Mennonite cabinet maker. Sauder worked at the Archbold Ladder Company in his home town before he started his own business in 1934.[2]
Manufacturing companies
The Sauder Woodworking Company initially manufactured church pews, tables and other items.[2] In 1954, he formed the Sauder Manufacturing Company[2] and later diversification included the Archbold Container company.[4] The Sauder Woodworking Company manufactured ready-to-assemble furniture, while Sauder Manufacturing handled church furniture, and the Archbold Container company dealt in materials for packaging.[2] With over 3,200 employees, at the time of his death, the Sauder companies constituted one of the largest companies producing ready-to-assemble furniture in the United States.[4]
In 1975 Sauder retired, but the businesses continued to be run by family.[2]
Sauder Village
After retiring, Sauder started Sauder Village which depicts life in nineteenth-century Ohio.[2][5]
References
- "Erie J. Sauder". Sauder Woodworking Co. Archived from the original on 2010-03-02. Retrieved 2010-05-25.
- "Erie J. Sauder". Ohio History Central. 2007. Archived from the original on October 5, 2007. Retrieved April 4, 2023.
- "About Sauder". Sauder Woodworking Co. Archived from the original on 2010-05-04. Retrieved 2010-05-25.
- "Notable death". The Manhattan Mercury. Manhattan, Kansas: Associated Press. July 2, 1997. p. 15. Retrieved April 4, 2023.
- "Sauder Woodworking Company - 2012 Company Fact Sheet". Sauder Woodworking Co. Archived from the original on 2012-09-09. Retrieved 2010-05-25.
External links
- Media related to Sauder ready-to-assemble furniture at Wikimedia Commons