by Laurel | December 12th, 2011
Personally I do not remember the Barnett-Robinson furniture store at 439 High Street. However it was eventually sold and became a place I remember quite well: Salem-Horn furniture. Did it eventually move to Main Street or am I thinking of Weinstein’s? My mother loved that store and I remember going with her often. Not to be disrespectful, considering this is an obituary, but I happened upon this advertisement for Barnett-Robinson:
Barnett-Robinson Furniture Ad
Now, my husband loves old radios and collects them if he happens upon them at yard sales. He has a couple of Crosley radios, which generally fetch a decent price in the so-called vintage/antiques market these days. So all I could think of — regarding the ad — is that it was a radio of some sort. But I was very, very wrong. Any idea what a Crosley Shelvador is? The answer is after the jump (the continue reading link, below) . By the way, I have some Barnetts in my genealogy database. If you are connected to this family maybe you can help me with something — I think I have an error in need of correction.
12 December 1958
John S. Barnett, long associated with the furniture business in this city, died at his home 5 Park View Terrace, Thursday. Born in Aberdeen, Scotland, Jan, 23, 1871, he was the son of the late Alexander and Nessie (Copeland) Barnett and was educated in the schools of his native city.
On Nov. 10 of this year Mr. Barnett and his wife, the former Catherine Cunningham observed their 64th wedding anniversary.
A resident of this city of over 65 years, Mr. Barnett was at one time manager of the Barnett-Robinson Furniture Co., and later was with the Parfitt Furniture Co. At the time of his retirement several years ago he was associated with the Collins and Murray Furniture Co.
He was a member of the Holyoke Caledonian Benefit Club, Inc., the Third order of St. Francis and the Holy Name Society of Blessed Sacrament Church.
Besides his wife, he leaves three sons, John A. C., Charles J., and David H. Barnett, chief of the Holyoke Police Department, all residents of this city; two daughters, Mrs. Anne Jubb of Holyoke and Miss Mary C. Barnett at home; a brother, Charles Barnett of Springfield; seven grandchildren, six great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
The funeral will take place at the John B. Shea funeral home Monday with a solemn mass of requiem in Blessed Sacrament Church. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery. Calling hours at the funeral home Saturday and Sunday 2-5 and 7-10.
From The Springfield Republican.
Answer to the Crosley Shelvador question: Turns out the Crosley in the ad above was in fact the radio company. Apparently Crosley, as a company, had the greatest success with electric products. The Shelvador was, by all accounts, the first refrigerator made with the concept of using the door for shelf space. Shelv(es) plus Do(o)r = Shelvador. Should have known. Here is an ad for a 1937 model with a nod to an attractive art deco look (click on the image to see it enlarged)– there is also a nice color ad for the same exact same model on this website:
Crosley Shelvador, 1937
