'53.
Started burning wood after service and going to WWSC (WWU now) on GI Bill. B'ham used to have a cedar shake mill and they'd let you have as much scrap kindling as you could cart off. Had a fireplace and two burner stove in the house built in 1912.. Mt. Baker Nat forest was the main wood source.
First real stove was a Jotul Elephant. it used a lot of madrone and fir and would drive us out (southern oregon)
Next was a Blaze King King in a 4 level split in eastern WA .. worked great, got wood from national forest with permits.
Career took me overseas so for about 15 years and we used bottled propane or electricity, no wood stove.
Put a new smaller wood stove in shop when we were overseas but it wouldnt keep an outhouse warm... can't remember the brand. Finally bought another Blaze King King and it drives us out. I won't put a BK King in the new house.. Not sure if it will be a BK or non-catalytic yet. I've switched out the ceramic cat for a stainless steel one which does burn hotter but clogs up sooner.