Nathan Ancell
Born
Nathan Ancelewitz

(1908-08-22)August 22, 1908
New York City, U.S.
DiedMay 31, 1999(1999-05-31) (aged 90)
Alma materColumbia University (BA)
Occupations
  • Businessman
  • philanthropist
Known forCo-founder of Ethan Allen
Namesake of the Ancell School of Business

Nathan S. Ancell (August 22, 1908 – May 31, 1999) co-founded the Ethan Allen furniture company with his brother-in-law, Theodore Baumritter, in 1932. Together, the two men pioneered the concept of selling furniture in room-style settings and built the Ethan Allen company.[1] Today, Ethan Allen has sales of nearly $1 billion.[2]

Early life

Born Nathan Ancelewitz, Nathan S. "Nat" Ancell grew up in New York and was Jewish. In 1932, he and his brother-in-law started a small housewares company. The two bought a bankrupt furniture manufacturer in Beecher Falls, Vermont a few years later. Ancell attended Columbia College in New York City, New York and graduated in 1929.[3]

Business practices

Ancell was known as the father of the gallery concept, where furniture was placed in real-life settings in furniture stores.[1] The company vision statement illustrates his viewpoint in how to conduct business: "To promote dreams not just furniture-to help consumers have the attractive homes they want, regardless of the station in life."[4][5]

The family sold the Ethan Allen company to Interco in 1980.[6] Ancell continued as manager and later as an advisor until the company was sold again in 1989.[7]

Philanthropic works

In 1982, he was honored by Western Connecticut State University, who named the Ancell School of Business after him following his donation of $900,000. Afterwards, he taught ethics and marketing at the school.[7]

Ancell served on the board of Brandeis University for 25 years. He funded a chair in physics and a fellowship in physics, and was awarded an honorary Doctorate in 1990 and the Distinguished Community Service Award in 1988.[8][9]

He established the Florence and Theodore Baumritter Chair in Medicine at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University. He was also a benefactor and received an honorary degree.[10]

Ancell also served as co-chair of the UJA-Federation Board of Directors.[10]

References

  1. 1 2 Lohr, Steve (1999-06-03). "Nathan S. Ancell, 90, Ethan Allen Co-Founder". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2020-06-18.
  2. ↑ "Nathan S. Ancell". American Home Furnishings Hall of Fame. Retrieved 2020-06-18.
  3. ↑ "Obituaries". Columbia College Today. Fall 1999. Retrieved June 18, 2020.
  4. ↑ "Nathan S. Ancell; Ethan Allen". American Home Furnishings Hall of Fame. Retrieved 2020-06-18.
  5. ↑ "American Furniture Hall Of Fame Adds Four Members". Furniture World Magazine. Retrieved 2020-06-18.
  6. ↑ "COMPANY NEWS; Interco Sets Sale Of Ethan Allen". The New York Times. 1989-05-23. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2020-06-18.
  7. 1 2 "Library - About Nathan Ancell". 2006-08-28. Archived from the original on 2006-08-28. Retrieved 2020-06-18.
  8. ↑ "HONORARY DEGREE RECIPIENTS". Brandeis University. Retrieved June 18, 2020.
  9. ↑ "Jewish Post 9 June 1999 — Hoosier State Chronicles: Indiana's Digital Historic Newspaper Program". newspapers.library.in.gov. Retrieved 2020-06-18.
  10. 1 2 "Paid Notice: Deaths ANCELL, NATHAN S." The New York Times. 1999-06-03. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2020-06-18.
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