This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: MichaelCronk28 Surnames: HENDRICKS Classification: obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.michigan.counties.kent/8661/mb.ashx Message Board Post: G.A. HENDRICKS DIES SUDDENLY FURNITURE MANUFACTURER AND SPORTSMAN; IN BUSINESS FOR 25 YEARS HERE GUSTAVE A. HENDRICKS, 58, whose prominence in the Grand Rapids furniture industry dated back a quarter of a century, making him a well known figure in the business life of the city, died Thursday at 12:25 p.m., at his home, 300 Paris ave., S.E. Although Mr. Hendricks had not been in his usual good health since February (he had been ailing with a cold) his condition was in no wise considered serious. His death was unexpected and a shock to his many friends and associates. Mr. Hendricks was best known as head of the Fine Arts Furniture corporation, which operated the Pantlind Exhibition building and the Fine Arts building, two of the leading down-town buildings where furniture manufacturers exhibited their samples. PLANNED FURNITURE SKYSCRAPER Having built these two structures in 1924 and 1925 respectively as private developments, Mr. Hendricks then visioned them as units of a mighty furniture capitol building which he planned to erect 34 stories high on the present site of the civic auditorium. The fruition of that dream, however, was shattered by the onslaught of the depression which began to appear in the furniture industry a year or more earlier than in general business conditions. Active in state Republican circles, he was a warm personal friend of former Gov. Fred W. Green, who, during his administration, named Mr. Hendricks chairman of the Mackinac Island state park commission, a post which he held for three years. LOVER OF OUTDOORS Mr. Hendricks was an ardent sportsman and a lover of animals and the out-of-doors. He was never happier than when entertaining his many friends at his elaborate summer home, Octagon Castle, at Biteley. A native of Huntington, Ind., Mr. Hendricks had his early schooling there and came to Grand Rapids in 1903 as a sales representative of the Burroughs Adding Machine company. He liked Grand Rapids and made his home here. The following year, he formed the ADJUSTABLE TABLE COMPANY and later established the WHITE STEEL SANITARY FURNITURE COMPANY, the management of which he maintained until his death. He ventured into commercial real estate with the purchase in 1923 of the Berkey and Gay administration building, 442 Monroe ave., N.W., home of the offices of the old Berkey & Gay company. This led to the building of the Pantlind and Fine Arts exhibition buildings. PROMINENT SOCIALLY Both he and Mrs. Hendricks were prominent in the social life of the city. Mr. Hendricks was a member of the Peninsular, Elks, Cascade Hills and Highland Country clubs and was a member of the Grand Rapids Real Estate board. He was president of the Fine Arts corporation, which took over the management of the Pantlind Exhibition building and the Fine Arts building in 1932. Besides his widow, Mrs. GERTRUDE M. HENDRICKS, also formerly of Huntington, Ind., he is survived by a son, Gustave A. Jr., and a daughter, Carolyn. Funeral services will be held on Saturday from the residence, 300 Paris ave., S.E. Interment will be in Graceland mausoleum. Pallbearers for the Hendricks funeral will be Fred Rowe, Fred Kramer, E.L. Kinsey, Martin T. VandenBosch, Fred Collins and Charles A. Phelps. Honorary pallbearers will be R.E. Casey, former Gov. Fred W. Green, Dr. Ferris N. Smith, F.D. McKay, Martin J. Dregge, John L.A. Galster, Henry Galster, L.J. DeLamarter, Perey Peck, F.L. Dilling, W.B. Banks, J. Hampton Hoult, Lee W. Finch, H.C. Lawrence, Leon T. Closterhouse, J.H. Brewer, G.A. Wolf, A.P. Johnson, N. Rugee White, D.A. Warner, J.H. Amberg, Dr. Mortimer E. Roberts, H. Shatsky, George W. Welsh, Fred Chapman, Dr. J.B. Whinery, Frank G. Deane, R.C. Vandercook, Felix H.H. Flynn, B.P. Kenyon, W.J. Wallace, J. Fred Lyon and John R. Emley. THE GRAND RAPIDS HERALD, Friday, 27 March 1936, Pg. 1, Col. 7 and Pg. 4, Col. 4 Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.