Allen, Z.E. Co.

1870 - 1900

Manufacturer of carpet sweepers from 1870 – 1882; manufacturer of tables, chairs, bedroom suites, and office desks from 1883 – 1900. Products sold and shipped mostly to the South and West. Zenas E. Allen appears to be the sole owner as no officers are mentioned in company information.

Allen started a carpet sweeper business, the Jewell sweeper, which he sold to M.R. Bissell in 1882. That same year Allen purchased a frame factory building on Mill St. between Canal Street and the river. Before the year was over the building and stock of furniture were all destroyed. In 1891 he built a brick building, which also was completely destroyed by fire in 1900.

Information from the Grand Rapids Public Museum Archives, and Z.E. Allen's obituary in the Grand Rapids Press, November 3, 1902, page 6.