John Jelliff
John Jelliff (July 30, 1813 – July 2, 1893) was a significant furniture designer and manufacturer, based in Newark, New Jersey during the second half of the 19th century. By the 1850s, John Jelliff & Co. had become the leading furniture manufacturer in New Jersey. By 1843, J.Jelliff's was located at 301-303 Broad Street, and by 1876, John Jelliff & Co. was the largest furniture establishment in Newark, located at 794 & 796 Broad Street. Furniture with the Jelliff & Co. (or J.J. & Co.) maker's mark are exceedingly scarce. Most pieces can only be attributed to the firm. Biography Born in Norwalk, Connecticut. Son of Hezekiah Jelliff and Nancy Bennett. John Jelliff apprenticed to Alonzo W. Anderson, a cabinetmaker in New York City in 1828, and moved to New Jersey in the early 1820s. He first worked for Lemuel M. Crane of Newark, and took over the Crane business in 1838. Jelliff then partnered with Thomas L. Vantilburg through 1843. In 1854, Jelliff partnered with Henry H. Miller, who served as his foreman. By the late 1850s Jelliff's work reflected the Italian renaissance style; he later found inspiration in the designs of John Henry Belter. By 1874, the Jelliff