Round Oak Stove History

1871 - 1947

"Round Oak was to Dowagiac, Michigan what Henry Ford and the Model T were to Detroit.

The Round Oak stove was considered the best all-around heating stove of the world.”

The Round Oak Stove Company was founded in Dowagiac, Michigan in 1871 by Philo D. Beckwith. 

Beckwith was born in 1825 in Pike, NY and settled in Dowagiac, MI in 1954 where he opened his own Foundry that specialized in roller grain drills. In the 1860s, Beckwith began to experiment with heating stoves, which would change his life forever. In 1867, Beckwith completed the casting of his first heating stove, and shortly after was tasked with an order from the Michigan Central Railroad for heaters in the depots between Detroit and Chicago. By 1871, Beckwith had primarily been making heating stoves and founded “The Round Oak Stove Company.” 

The origin of the name “Round Oak” is still unknown. Many suggest that the name originated from the idea that the stoves were round and could hold a section of a round oak tree in the firepot. 

"Over the years, many models of the Round Oak stove were sold. The first stove was quite plain with an ash door that lifted off. A hinged ash pit door was added in 1887 and various other improvements and embellishments were made over the years.

Round Oak was to Dowagiac, Michigan what Henry Ford and the Model T were to Detroit. The Round Oak stove put Dowagiac on the map. It was considered the best all-around heating stove of the world.”

- Barbara W & Grafton H Cook, 2001

The Round Oak Stove People and Other Dowagiac, Michigan Personalities