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Hough, J. (1873-1886)

Hough, J.

Birmingham, Warwickshire; bed, mattress & bedding maker, cabinet maker, upholsterer and chair maker (fl.1873-1886)

Hough was trading at 13 Gooch Street near Bromsgrove Street, in 1873, when advertising as the sole inventor and manufacturer of the patent elastic spring mattress [The Furniture Gazette, 26 April 1873]. By 1877 he was also at Alexandra Works, Lower Essex Street & Kent Street, remaining at these addresses until at least 1886 [The Furniture Gazette Directory, 1876 & 1877The Furniture Gazette: Classified List of the Furniture, Upholstery, and Allied Trades, 1886].

He published two advertisements in The Furniture Gazette in 1886. The first illustrated his factory, Alexandra Works, highlighting Hough's manufacture of chairs 'in every description', special japanned and hardwood bedroom furniture, and patent spring mattresses [The Furniture Gazette, 1 March 1886]. An illustration of his bedroom suite in the second advertisement is seen below:

Image
Bedroom suite

A bedroom suite, ‘of neat design, sound workmanship and moderate in price’ designed & made by John Hough. The Furniture Gazette, 1 July 1886, p. 234.

Hough's steam factory was described as being equipped with the wood working machinery required to produce all types of cabinet & upholstery work; and for the convenience of the London trade, Hough had opened an office at 3 Tabernacle Street, Finsbury Square. The London premises was closed shortly thereafter (The Furniture Gazette, 1 September 1886).