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Hickinbotham Brothers Collection
Ms74
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Title: Hickinbotham Brothers Collection
Date: 1922-1989
Collection Number: Ms74
Location:
Erickson Vault
Extent:
2 linear feet
Contributing Institution:
San Joaquin County Historical Society and Museum
11793 North Micke Grove Road
Lodi, CA 95240
Language of Material: Records written in English
Abstract: Hickinbotham Brothers, a supplier of steel, industrial supplies, and hardware is one of Stockton, California's, oldest and
most venerable businesses. The Hickinbotham Brothers Collection includes a sample of published advertising material, a history,
catalogs, and lists of products that afford glimpses not only into the company's operations, but also into the kinds of products
it purchased for retail and sold throughout much of the twentieth century.
Access Information
Collection is open for research by appointment.
Conditions of Use
The library can only claim physical ownership of the collection. Users are responsible for satisfying any claimants of literary
property.
Preferred citation: [Item name], Hickinbotham Brothers Collection, Ms74, San Joaquin County Historical Society and Museum,
Lodi, California.
Hickinbotham Brothers traces its origins to California’s Gold Rush Era and the westward movement of two brothers native to
New York: Edwin Hickinbotham (1831-1891) and John Tunnicliff Hickinbotham (1829-1893). The Hickinbotham brothers had been
trained as carriage makers in Richfield Springs, New York, and they sensed a need for blacksmiths, wagon makers, and harness
makers soon after they arrived in California. In 1852, they settled in Stockton, formed a partnership, and became “importers
and dealers in all kinds of wagon and carriage lumber.” The partnership ended in 1855 with the withdrawal of Edwin due to
sickness, but the company continued under the leadership of John and other family members. Gradually, it shifted its focus
from wood materials to heavy hardware. In 1931, three descendents, John Cyrus Hickinbotham (1894-1945), Leland French Hickinbotham
(1897-1949), and Ralph West Hickinbotham (1897-1951), incorporated the company as Hickinbotham Brothers, Limited. During the
Second World War, Hickinbotham Brothers Construction Division built landing barges, floating cranes, steel tugs and supply
vessels for the U.S. government. The corporation continued to operate under family leadership until the mid-1990s, when it
merged with Ferro Union, Incorporated.
The Hickinbotham Brothers Collection consists mainly of catalogs and other lists of products purchased and sold. Material
included in the collection is arranged chronologically within each alphabetical category.
Hickinbotham Bros. Ltd.
Hickinbotham, Edwin, 1831-1891
Hickinbotham, John Cyrus, 1894-1945
Hickinbotham, John Tunnicliff, 1829-1893
Hickinbotham, Leland French, 1897-1949
Hickinbotham, Ralph West, 1897-1951
San Joaquin County (Calif.)--History