McKinstry's Home Furnishings of Beaver Dam became the oldest family-run business in Wisconsin after John McKinstry came from Quebec, Canada, in 1858 and built a successful furniture business crafting beds, cabinets, chairs, bureaus, and wash stands from local oak, maple, walnut, and cherry hardwoods. Upholstery and mattress filling was made from green marsh grass twisted into rope-like strands, dried for curl, and cut to fit, and the grass was also used as padding under rugs made from old rags and woven into durable floor coverings. As the company outgrew its original location, it moved to 131 Front St., and the store also included a funeral home. W. D. McKinstry joined the business at age 16, and as it expanded rapidly, the store began selling furniture from other manufacturers. After John McKinstry died, the firm became known as W.D. McKinstry Furniture and Burial Goods, and W.D. was later joined by his sons Irwin R. and Randall. While Randall was in high school, he became lifelong friends with Fred MacMurray, who also helped at the store. The company eventually became known as McKinstry's Home Furnishings, and shortly after its 100th anniversary Randall's son Bill became associated with the company and remained active in the business until his death in 1964. John B. McKinstry joined the firm in 1965, and store manager Ric Fiegel joined the company in 1967. A chair was manufactured by John McKinstry, a tape measure used on the chair was used by Fred MacMurray while he worked there, and a glue pot beside the chair was used in furniture manufacturing.