Gantert's Furniture Company was founded in La Crosse, Wisconsin, in 1861 by Stephen Gantert, an immigrant from Baden, Germany. At the time of its founding, the company was known as S. Gantert's Furniture Hall. A partner, Mr. R. Schwartz, was bought out by Gantert in 1874. Gantert remained head of the business until 1903 when poor health forced him to turn over operation of the store to his sons and daughters. Gantert died on March 8, 1905.
In 1915, two of his sons, J. George and F. Albert Gantert, purchased the business and ran it as Gantert Brothers. In 1926 J. George Gantert died and left F. Albert Gantert as the sole proprietor until his death in 1949. His son, Albert P. Gantert, became the manager and held that position until the store closed in March 1981.
