Grandma's Chair 1970

WARNER, MILLBURN, MILBURN

Posted By: Carol Warner Neville (email)
Date: 8/17/2004 at 04:35:09

This message was originally posted on Iowa Orphan Treasures, Feb. 2003-

I've been wishing there was some way to find my grandmother's chair that was sold with her estate around 1970. She had promised it to me but my uncle didn't know that and sold everything as old junk! I know this is a slim to none chance, but who ever knows what will work until we try?

The chair was made between 1854 and 1874 in Toddville, Linn County, Iowa by Isaac Milburn (Millburn) who owned a lot of land and operated a sawmill. He made a chair for every member of his family (so probably 10) for the dining room. The chairs were about 40" tall, straight back, square flat seat, with hand turned posts and cross pieces and vertical post backs. They were stained in a dark (mahogany) color and probably had a removable cushion. The one I remember from my childhood was small, like a bedroom chair and the seat was lower than most chairs now. (I loved the fact that it was easy for a child to get up to!) I "think" he signed the bottom. I would be delighted if you would file this request in your "looking for furniture" file and maybe someday... Thanks ( Olive Lenore Millburn Warner, Charles Sumner Millburn, Isaac Milburn)