Sell In 48 States To 8,000 Stores
In the early days of the company the market was confined almost entirely to the Mississippi River Basin, because until 1889 when the railroad first came to Tell City, the river was the only means of transportation. At this time sales were principally to jobbers, who in turn distributed the chairs to furniture dealers.
Kreisle Mfg. Co.
Started in the year 1865
The Kreisle Mfg. Co., Inc. known locally as the Tell City Planing Mill is one of the oldest business firms in Tell City doing business on its original site. Founded in the year 0f 1865 it occupied a wooden frame building of two stories located at the corner of 9th and Humboldt streets.
Old Brewery
The building was originally built for a brewery in the early part of the year of 1860, but after several years of operation the brewery firm failed. The original subterranean beer and cooling cellars are still intact and are located under the basement floor of the present building. At one time during this early period the upper story of the building was used as an Odd Fellows hall.
The alley which now fronts this building was known as the Old Plank Road and was one of the main thoroughfares of the town.
Made Toys
In 1865 two men by the names of Schoellin and Zuenkler formed a partnership, bought the building and began the manufacture of building materials, toys, coffins, baby carriages, etc. This firm was called the Tell City Planing Mill & Toy Making Co. Two years later these men sold their interests to a group of six men and in 1867 Magnus Kreisle, sr., founder of the Kreisle Mfg. Co., became a member of the firm and in 1870 became its sole owner.
Magnus Kreisle, sr. was born in Germany in Sept. 1824. He was a cabinet maker by trade and followed this trade in his native country until 1844 when he came to this country and located in Cincinnati, Ohio. In 1856 he moved to Indianapolis and four years later came to Tell City, Indiana.
In 1882 his son the late John M. Kreisle joined his father in partnership and they operated the business as M. Kreisle & Son.
After the death of the father in 1885, John M. Kreisle and his brother Fred Kreisle bought the interests of Magnus Kreisle estate and joined in partnership as the Tell City Planing Mill Co.