John Shrader (1820-1895) pioneered the development of furniture manufacturing in southern Indiana. Shrader emigrated from Germany as a young boy and arrived in New Albany at age 17. After apprenticing with furniture manufacturer William L. Sanderson, Shrader opened his own firm. He went on to achieve unequalled success among local producers. When Shrader died in 1895, he left an estate valued at approximately $100,000.