Object Record
Images
Additional Images [2]
Metadata
Object Name |
Warmer, Foot |
Caption |
Foot stove |
Description |
Metal foot stove/foot warmer upholstered with green carpet covering and shaped as a footrest. Made by HSB Company (Hibbard, Spencer, Bartlett & Company, Chicago). The foot stove is metal with a tray for hot coals and side vents for controlling the heat. Belonged to Bernhard "Ben" and Emelia Retzlaff Steffen, grandparents of donor Leona Karg. The Steffens lived on a farm in Acoma Township until they moved into Hutchinson in 1951. Foot stoves were commonly used in winter buggy or sleigh rides along with animal skin robes and warm blankets to keep passengers warm. Also carried and used in churches or meeting houses and carried from room to room at home to add heat and keep one's feet warm. The feet were positioned on top of the stove to become warm. By putting a blanket or clothing on the legs the heat could be isolated and the lower legs were heated. Hibbard, Spencer, Bartlett Time Line: 1853-54 Brown, Tuttle Co. Hdwe, Michigan Ave * Wm. Hibbard, salesman 1855 Tuttle, Hibbard Co. Hdwe, Michigan Ave.* Hibbard joined Tuttle 1857 First Fire destroyed hardware building 1860 Tuttle, Hibbard Co., 62 Lake St. 1864 Adolphus Bartlett started employment as a janitor 1865 Hibbard, Spencer& Co., 92-94 Michigan Ave. 1871 Chicago Fire, second HSB building destroyed. William Hibbard resumed temporary business at his home at 1701 Prairie Avenue. Hibbard¡¦s home was open not only to his firm, but for all friends whose families needed shelter. 1872 Hibbard, Spencer Co. 16-32 Lake Street 1882 Hibbard, Spencer, Bartlett & Co. * A.C. Bartlett joined the firm William Hibbard - President; Franklin Spencer - Vice President; A.C. Bartlett - Secretary 1902 Cruso Brand introduced by Frank Hibbard * Revenoc & Hibbard Brands also introduced in the early 1900s 1903 Hibbard, Spencer, Bartlett & Co, State St. Bridge. Built a fire proof 10 story building, condemned in 1924 1925 Hibbard, Spencer Bartlett & Co, 211 East Water St 1930 Hibbard, Spencer, Bartlett & Co *Celebrated their 75th Anniversary. 1932 True Value Brand was introduced 1943 The US Army Air Force took over the building briefly 1948 Hibbard, Spencer, Bartlett & Co., Evanston Ill.* New Modern Building 1962 Hibbard, Spencer, Bartlett & Co. was sold to John Cotter & Co. for the True Value Brand Name. Hibbard, Spencer, Bartlett & Co. had a large selection of hardware, tools, cutlery, paints, sporting goods and many more items with different brand names to choose from. They also offered many advertised give-away items for their many merchants to distribute. Some Hibbard, Spencer, Bartlett & Co. Trade Marks include: O.V.B. (Our Very Best), Hibbard, Cruso, Revonoc, U.S.A., (Universal Satisfaction Guaranteed), AJAX, IL-A-NOY, True Value, Stand-By, Lady Hibbard, and Chrysolite (enameled ware). During the 1883-1920s, Sandusky Plane Co. manufactured molding and plow planes for H.S. B. & Co. The planes were marked A.C. Bartlett, Ohio. In the1920s, Stanley Tool manufactured the Gage Plane for H.S.B. & Co. and marked them with the OVB logo. In the later years, HSB & Co. also sold Keen Kutter razor blades and pocket knives, Marbles hunting knives, and Winchester flashlights as found in their catalogs. |
Catalog Number |
2011-0186-001 |
Search Terms |
Stoves Foot stoves Foot warmers Steffen Family |
Subjects |
Stoves |
People |
Steffen, Bernhard "Ben" Steffen, Emelia Retzlaff |