Montgomery Table Works was established in 1888, according to the Montgomery Centennial Book. It wasn’t the town’s first factory, but it would eventually become one of the biggest and most successful in Montgomery’s history.

In 1913, the American economy was thriving. At that time Montgomery Table Works was owned solely by William Decker, but over the years there were different partners who had partial ownership as well. In 1913 the factory was doing so much business that they struggled to find enough employees to keep up with the demand. And it wasn’t the only factory in town with that problem.

The labor shortage was so severe locally that an employment ad ran in a Gettysburg newspaper trying to recruit new employees. In the Sept. 11, 1913, issue of the Gettysburg Times the following ad ran, “Montgomery, Pa., Sept. 6, 1913. THE undersigned factories need Seventy-five men in various departments at once. Steady employment. Excellent inducements for permanent location. Address or apply to Montgomery Table Works, The Penn Furn Mfg. Co., or the Stokes Mfg. Co.”

The Williamsport Sun published a story on Sept. 27, 1913, entitled, “MONTGOMERY INDUSTRIES WORKING EXTRA HOURS – EVERY FACTORY IN THE TOWN IS CROWDED WITH ORDERS. SCARCITY OF LABOR.”

The article began, “All of the factories here are enjoying an unprecedented industrial boom . . . The scarcity of laborers has greatly interfered with the work as several more men could be used in all of the plants.”

The Sun highlighted the Montgomery Table Works plant, saying, “The Montgomery Table Works expects to have a banner month with the ending of the present month. Nearly $50,000 worth of stock will have been shipped out before the first of October, making one of the largest shipments fo[r] that period of time in the history of the plant. The plant is now running three extra hours three days a week.”

In 1913, $50,000 would be the equivalent of $1,588,585.86 today.

The article went on to say that The Penn Furniture company was also running extra hours to keep up with the demand.

When Montgomery Table Works released their 1914 catalog, a statement at the beginning said, “This new line shows a marked improvement in design executed with provident care as demands have been foreseen . . . Your loyalty to our line has enabled us to greatly increase our business and with a model factory, modernly equipped and manned by careful and painstaking workmen, we can guarantee the acme in quality of stock and service.”

According to the Montgomery Table Works Price List dated Jan. 1, 1914, the company only sold their products to dealers. They advertised that they sold library and extension tables, as well as flat top and roll top desks. The catalog also featured a filing cabinet and a typewriter table.

The Price List also noted to their retail customers, “We would prefer to have goods ordered in pairs so that two tops can be packed with air space face together; this being the most satisfactory way to ship.”

The least expensive item in the catalog was a Typewriter Table for $3, which would be $94.36 today. The most expensive items in the catalog were a few different models of Quartered Oak Pillar Extension Tables that cost $28, which would be $880.71 today.

The Montgomery Table Works continued to thrive and grow for many years, eventually adding wooden radio cabinets to their product lines. The factory was reported to have reached its peak in 1934 and had 650 workers. It was also the same year that it ceased operations, according to The Morning Press, a Bloomsburg newspaper, on April 4, 1941.

The same article reported that part of the former Montgomery Table Works plant had been sold and became Montgomery Mills. But most of the old Montgomery Table Works building that had been empty was destroyed in a massive fire in 1941.