Sligh 128 Years... a great beginning

Charles Sligh was 12 when his dad was killed in the war. Since his older brother was also serving in the military, it fell to Charles to go to work to help support his mother and sisters. The year, 1862. The place, Grand Rapids, Michigan.

You could hear the whistle of the train and smell the sawdust in the air as furniture companies were springing up on every corner in Grand Rapids. Newly arrived immigrants, settlers from the eastern seaboard and young Grand Rapids men were ready to work hard to make their success in the burgeoning new industry.

My great grandfather, Charles Sligh ended up working for Berkey & Gay, the leading furniture manufacturer of its day, first on the shop floor and ultimately as a road salesman traveling to all parts of the United States.

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