The company was founded in 1856 in Leavenworth, Kansas. In 1878, it moved to Kansas City, Missouri, and eventually came to occupy more than 300,000 square feet at 1501-1525 West 9th Street and 908-910 Liberty Street. Eight buildings were involved. The business of the furniture company was acquired in March 1950 by the United Industrial Syndicate, Inc., of New York, including a manufacturing plant in Leavenworth. In June 1950 Davidson's Furniture Company acquired the home furnishing inventory of the Abernathy Company. In July 1950 a Kansas City investment group acquired ownership of the buildings on 9th Street and Liberty Street.
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